W. Kenneth Riland

W. Kenneth Riland, D.O. (1912–1989) was born August 7, 1912, in Camden, New Jersey. An osteopathic physician (DO) whose patients included Richard M. Nixon and Nelson A. Rockefeller, he was the cofounder of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine, in Old Westbury, Long Island, New York.

According to an obituary in DO Magazine:

Riland was a cofounder and chairman of the board of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine (NYCOM) of New York Institute of Technology (NYIT) in Old Westbury, NY. He was also a founder and the first president of both the New York Academy of Osteopathy and the academy's Foundation for Research. Riland delivered the 1969 Andrew Taylor Still Memorial Address, an annual lecture presented at the American Osteopathic Association's (AOA) House of Delegates in memory and honor of the founder of osteopathic medicine; it is considered as one of the profession's highest honors. Riland was board certified in rehabilitation medicine and was a Fellow of the American Academy of Osteopathy (AAO) and the New York Academy of Osteopathy. He served the AAO as a Trustee and as a member of its Board of Governors, and he was the 1963 recipient of the academy's Andrew Taylor Still Medallion of Honor. He also served as chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Postgraduate Institute of Osteopathic Medicine & Surgery which is now affiliated with NYCOM. Riland received an honorary doctorate of science from Midwestern University's Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine and a doctor of laws degree from the New York Institute of Technology. He also received a distinguished service award from the New York State Osteopathic Medical Society and O.J. Snyder Memorial Medallion from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

He died of complications from lymphoma at age 76 at New York Hospital on March 13, 1989.

The W. Kenneth Riland Memorial Lecture and medal presentation is a key feature at the annual mid-year conference of the American Osteopathic College of Occupational & Preventive Medicine (AOCOPM). Riland was a pioneer in the field of occupational & environmental medicine, a longtime member and fellow of the AOCOPM. Established in 1983, this prestigious lecture is presented by an individual, member or nonmember, who has demonstrated a desire to see the practice of occupational & preventive medicine excel for the public good.