Q&A: OMM specialist discusses academia, prison medicine and AI in health care

This month, we are thrilled to introduce you to Ravi David Yarid, DO. From discovering a passion for osteopathic medicine at a young age, to diving into osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) and shaping the future of health care through artificial intelligence (AI), Dr. Yarid’s journey is one of growth, learning and commitment.

Initially inspired by a pivotal move to West Virginia and a deep connection to the holistic approach of osteopathic medicine, Dr. Yarid has worked in rural underserved regions, prison medicine and academia. Now, as a leader in AI-driven health care, he is helping to redefine the future of osteopathic medicine while guiding the next generation of physicians.

Following is an edited Q&A with Dr. Yarid.

How did you choose osteopathic medicine?

My journey into osteopathic medicine is one that I’ve reflected on a great deal over the years.

I grew up inside the beltway in the suburbs of Washington, D.C., in Maryland. My dad worked for NBC as an electrical engineer. The summer before my junior year of high school, my dad took a buyout from NBC, and we suddenly moved back to his hometown of Lewisburg, West Virginia. We ended up moving in with my grandfather, who lived only a few miles from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM), where I would ultimately attend osteopathic medical school.

This transition was pivotal. Medicine was always on my radar, but I was equally fascinated by meteorology. It was a tossup between being a weatherman or a doctor. However, the moment I walked through the doors of the nearby osteopathic medical school, something clicked. I remember thinking, “This is it … This is where I’ll be in four years.”

The holistic, patient-centered philosophy of osteopathic medicine resonated with me, and I never looked back. I didn’t even apply to allopathic programs. When I was accepted before I had even graduated college, I jumped at the opportunity.

Looking back, I realize how young and inexperienced I really was. I started medical school at just 21. But I’ve always believed in learning from mistakes, and our 20s are for making mistakes. In fact, it is through our mistakes and failures that we learn and grow the most.

Osteopathic medicine has since become the defining lens through which I view the world. It is not just a profession, but a calling. I’m grateful every day that my life path revealed osteopathic medicine, because it has led me to where I am today.

After completing your family medicine residency, you pursued an OMM fellowship in Bangor, Maine. What was your experience like as a fellow?

After finishing my family medicine residency, I was at a crossroads. I had all sorts of ideas: maybe I’d become a cruise ship doctor or work locum tenens in New Zealand. Then, serendipity struck. At a conference, I ran into the co-directors of the OMM fellowship in Bangor, whom I have known since my time at WVSOM. They had an open spot and felt I would be a great fit.

I’m not one to let an opportunity pass me by. So off I went to Maine, diving headfirst into the fellowship. I immersed myself in the history and foundations of osteopathic medicine, poring over old letters and documents, learning from the legends who shaped our profession. It felt like stepping back in time; I gained a deep, personal understanding of osteopathic medicine’s roots.

Beyond academics, I explored Bangor’s community and made friends, including one who owned a pub with the best clam chowder I’ve ever had. It was the perfect balance of rigorous training and personal exploration. But the real highlight? Developing my ability to see with my hands through OMM. This was my first real gig outside of residency, and it solidified my passion for osteopathic medicine. Looking back, I can say with certainty that the Bangor fellowship was a defining moment that shaped me into the clinician and educator I am today.

How can an osteopathic physician who has not practiced osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) return to their roots? What advice would you give them?

People always talk about “thinking outside the box” when it comes to bringing more OMT into medical practice, but to paraphrase “The Matrix,” the truth is, there is no box. It’s a mental construct, a shortcut for limited attention. And today, we have artificial intelligence (AI) that can give you as much osteopathic technique training as you need.

But before diving into techniques, let’s talk about mindset. Osteopathic medicine starts with service. If you feel disconnected from OMT, start by serving others. Volunteer. Give without expectation, not even requiring a thank you. If you need validation, it’s not true service.

I’ve worked in prisons where patients cursed at me while I tried to help them. Some would take offense, but I saw their suffering. If they couldn’t recognize someone trying to help, imagine what kind of life they have had and are living now. Frequently, inmates would tell me that they deserve this suffering, and I’d tell them, “I don’t care what you may or may not have done to end up in front of me, how can I help you?” Their past is between them and whatever they believe in. My job is to serve the humanity within them all.

Once you find that balance, start offering OMT to patients. OMT is about palpation. Start simple. A suboccipital release is a technique that is nearly impossible to cause harm, and almost everyone needs it, especially in today’s world of screens and devices.

Another go-to of mine is to use soft tissue techniques on the levator scapulae, or what has been called “kneading the bread” on the shoulders. It loosens tension and opens the thoracic outlet, an issue not just for surgeons anymore but for everyone glued to keyboards. If we all start by taking these few moments to release the head, neck and shoulders, not only will we make a massive impact in the healing and wellbeing of our patients, but we also significantly increase our reimbursement along with our patient satisfaction. All this at a cost of only a few moments of attention.

As a medical director with the Michigan Department of Corrections, you practiced medicine in a unique setting. Can you tell us about your experience and the challenges you faced?

Practicing medicine in the Michigan Department of Corrections was eye-opening. As a medical director, I saw it as an opportunity to serve the forgotten, a population often ignored by society. But it came with challenges. The system was, in my words, “inefficient and contractually restrictive.” Just getting patients basic care was a battle against bureaucracy.

I also saw the deeper flaws in the justice system. The financially disadvantaged often ended up trapped in the cycle, unable to afford proper legal representation. It made me question the system’s fundamental purpose.

Yet, there were bright spots. Being a part of seeing patients turn their lives around post-release reminded me why I took on this role. This experience fueled my passion for using AI to revolutionize health care in correctional settings. The system is broken, but I have big ideas on how to fix it.

You are currently an assistant professor of OMM at Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM-GA). What guidance would you give to physicians and medical students who are interested in teaching?

Teaching at PCOM-GA is where I’ve truly found my calling. For those considering academia, my advice is simple: genuinely connect with your students. Teaching isn’t just about imparting knowledge. It’s also about meeting students where they are, understanding their struggles and helping them navigate the brutal reality of medical school.

I bring my real-world experiences of OMM, private practice and prison medicine to the classroom. Students appreciate meaningful, experience-driven responses. But adaptability is key. The post-COVID world changed medical education, and we must evolve with it.

If you’re passionate about teaching, dive in with both feet. Build real connections. Share your journey. And if you’re interested in shaping the future of osteopathic medicine, get involved in AI and tech-driven education. We are heading there regardless, so why not take the opportunity to be a part of this exciting evolution?

You have a position on the American Osteopathic Information Association’s (AOIA) Digital Health Innovation (DHI) steering committee. You are also a thought leader for AI in osteopathic medicine and education. Tell us more about AI and its future in osteopathic medicine?

As a member of the AOIA DHI steering committee, I’m deeply involved in shaping AI’s role in osteopathic medicine. Osteopathic medicine is uniquely positioned to lead in AI-driven health care. We have access to a treasure trove of patient-centered data. By harnessing AI, we can revolutionize diagnosis, treatment and prevention, flagging issues before they manifest, ultimately enhancing patient education and improving outcomes. 

But here’s the key: We must lead this innovation. If we wait, someone else will dictate the future of our profession. That’s why I’m passionate about this work; we need to shape AI’s integration into osteopathic medicine in a way that aligns with our core values.

The future is ours to create. If you’re an osteopathic physician or student, now is the time to engage. Whether through AI-assisted research, clinical decision support or education enhancement, we are building a framework that ensures osteopathic medicine leads in AI-driven health care. Join the AOIA community. Lend your voice and help us drive this movement forward. Medicine is evolving, and we are the ones who will define its future as a part of the osteopathic legacy. Our legacy.

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