Five osteopathic physicians, including one who practices in Bangor, were honored recently at the annual meeting of the Maine Osteopathic Association in Rockport.

Dr. Leigh “Jack” Forbush, a full-time faculty member at the Family Practice Residency Program at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, received the Young Physician of the Year award. The award is given to a doctor who has been in practice for more than one year but less than five years. According to a press release from the association, Forbush “has demonstrated the potential to become a major force in osteopathic medicine.”

Dr. Steve Feder, who practices in Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor, was named Physician of the Year for the high quality of his practice, his “compassionate interest” in his patients and his commitment to the communities he serves.

Dr. Thomas DeLuca, immediate past president of the MOA, was presented with the Roswell P. Bates D.O. Public Service Award “for his outstanding achievements in public health.” DeLuca practices in Rumford.

The MOA Board Award was given to Dr. Kurt Ebrahim, a cancer specialist who practices in Portland. Ebrahim was honored for the respect in which he is held by both osteopathic doctors, or DOs, and allopathic doctors, or MDs. He was credited with helping to establish mutual respect between the historically at-odds professional groups.

The association’s 2007 Distinguished Service Award went to Dr. Boyd Buser, who practices in Biddeford and Saco. Buser recently served as interim dean and vice president for health services at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford and has served on a number of state and national professional boards.

There are now 581 osteopathic physicians licensed to practice in Maine, the majority of whom serve in primary care practices. Nationally, DOs represent 15 percent of physicians in small towns and rural areas.

For more information about DOs and osteopathic medicine, visit www.mainedo.org.