Working together over a two-year period, PCOM and SCT will implement this academic information system that will provide new student services and enable the College to institute best practices in all areas related to the business of education, including Finance, Financial Aid, Student Services, Alumni Relations and Human Resources.

The new system, nicknamed PRISM: PCOM Resource for Integrated Systems Management, was launched at a party on October 9. There, SCT presented PCOM with a carriage clock inscribed with the school´s logo marking SCT and PCOM´s partnership.

The education market leader, SCT provides software and information technology services to more than 1,100 institutions around the world through innovation, speed and excellence.

Dr. Lobo was instrumental in getting a resolution passed in the Delaware Legislature that recognizes PCOM as the official osteopathic college for the state. As such, the state will fund a PCOM medical education for five students from Delaware each year.

In celebration of PA day, PCOM hosted a presentation and reception on Friday, October 5 in the Zedeck Family Amphitheater, Evans Hall. The guest speaker, Richard A. Smith, MD, MPH, created the MEDEX program at the University of Washington in 1968, which focused on training expert physician assistants. The day's events included a proclamation from the Mayor's office and a panel discussion on the profession's future.

Phase two, which will see the completion of amenities such as an audiovisual teaching room, lecture room, lunchroom and conference room, will be completed by year's end.

PCOM Healthcare Center - Lancaster Avenue Division, located at 4148 Lancaster Avenue in West Philadelphia, is one of four PCOM healthcare centers that provide care to medically underserved populations of the city. The others are located in North Philadelphia, Roxborough and on the College's City Avenue campus. PCOM also operates the Sullivan County Medical Center in rural Laporte, Pa. (See "Director of PCOM Sullivan County Medical Center Named" below.)

Izola David, DO named Center´s Medical Director

Izola David, DO, has been named medical director of PCOM Healthcare Center - Lancaster Avenue Division. Board certified in pediatrics, she serves as an assistant professor in PCOM´s Department of Pediatrics. Dr. David, who graduated from PCOM in 1985, started her medical career at the Lancaster Avenue Center in 1988.  She has also served as director of pediatrics for PCOM´s Healthcare Centers.

In addition, Dr. David was a general pediatrician for the City of Philadelphia and a physician practicing adolescent medicine in the federal Job Corps program in Philadelphia. Dr. David is a member of the American Osteopathic Association, National Medical Association, Philadelphia Pediatric Society, Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association and Pennsylvania Eastern  Medical Society.

"I´m pleased to accept the position as Director of PCOM Healthcare Center - Lancaster Avenue Division," says Dr. David. "We are in the process of completing phase two of our brand new health care center, which will be a facility that all of our patients and community members can be proud of.

"At the center, we welcome community involvement and participation. A hand of genuine friendship will be extended to all members of our community: children, adults and seniors. With their input, we will build a strong community link that will improve health care delivery in West Philadelphia and the surrounding areas."

Director of PCOM Sullivan County Medical Center Named

PCOM's graduate school programs celebrated commencement on Sunday, August 19. Thirty-three graduates received degrees or certificates in these areas: Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology, Master of Science in Clinical Health Psychology, Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences and Certificate of Respecialization in Clinical Psychology. The keynote address was given by Brian McDonough, M.D. Dr. McDonough reports on medical topics for FOX television. He is also a family physician and associate professor of family medicine and community health at Temple University.

Convocation kicks off academic year

PCOM's academic year officially began on Monday, August 20, with the College's colorful convocation ceremony in the Evans Hall courtyard. Students were welcomed by representatives from administration, faculty, student government and the alumni association. Philadelphia City Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell provided the keynote address.

At the event, 236 graduates received a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree. It was held June 3 at the Academy of Music in Philadelphia.

In her speech, Gov. Minner likened osteopathic medicine to government: "In government as in medicine, we must look at the broader picture and know the entire area rather than just one little symptom of one little problem in one area."  She mentioned that her family physician is Vincent Lobo, DO `65, president of PCOM´s Alumni Association.

Gov. Minner was instrumental in having PCOM named as Delaware´s official osteopathic medical school.

Student group receives chapter award
PCOM's Student National Medical Association (SNMA) chapter received the prestigious Chapter of the Year award for Region VIII. The award is presented to the chapter that not only made significant contributions to its surrounding community, but also provided stimulating workshops and guest speakers on campus. PCOM competed against Pennsylvania medical schools such as University of Pennsylvania, Temple, MCP, Jefferson, Penn State and University of Pittsburgh.

PCOM develops DO/PhD program
The College has developed a new track in its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program in cooperation with the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP). Medical students can pursue a six-year program which results in both the DO degree and a PhD in health policy from USP. The PhD in health policy prepares students to participate in public policy making, management and leadership in the health field at local, state and federal levels. The first DO/PhD students will enroll in fall 2001.

3-2-1 program with Penn State Abington developed
The College has forged a partnership with Penn State Abington to create a new cooperative degree program called the 3-2-1 program. Upon successful completion of the five-year program, students will earn a Master of Science in Clinical Health Psychology. The program consists of 3 years of study at a bachelor's level at a Penn State auxiliary campus and two years of graduate-level work at PCOM. The student receives both a bachelor's degree from Penn State and a master's degree from PCOM.

PCOM purchases vacant hospital building
The College has purchased the vacant City Avenue Hospital building adjacent to the school from a subsidiary of Tenet Healthcare Corporation. The property has been vacant since April 2000, when City Avenue Hospital's operations were consolidated with Tenet's Medical College of Pennsylvania Hospital. The College will determine how to use the land afer it completes its strategic plan in the fall.

The College is pleased to report it has been awarded a $2.3 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The grant will provide funding in two areas: $1.5 million to set up a Center for Medical Informatics, Education and Outreach and $836,00 for renovations at PCOM's Lancaster Avenue Healthcare Center.

The Center for Medical Informatics, Education and Outreach is an electronic network that will connect faculty, students, interns and residents in classrooms, remote healthcare centers and affiliated teaching hospitals.