PCOM’s legacy bridges generations, from the DO Class of 1976 to South Georgia’s Class of 2024. Over nearly 125 years, the College has expanded from one campus to three, shaping caring and compassionate physicians. Kenneth J. Veit, DO '76, MBA, FACOFP, PCOM’s provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, and Joanne M. Jones, MBA, chief of campus operations and career counselor at PCOM South Georgia, have played key roles in this evolution, leading with a commitment to progress while upholding PCOM’s core values. As PCOM continues training future healthcare leaders, we celebrate the dedication that unites our past, present and future.
PCOM has a long history of graduating skilled physicians, from well before Dr. Veit’s class of 1976 to last year’s South Georgia DO Class of 2024. A dedicated member of the PCOM community for decades, Dr. Veit joined the faculty in 1980 and went on to serve as dean of academic affairs from 1992 to 2022—the longest deanship in PCOM’s history. In 2009, he was also named provost, further shaping the College’s growth and development over his tenure.
"Seeing my 1976 PCOM class graduation picture brought back many memories. Great memories of a very different time,” he reflected. “Many of my classmates went on to perform incredible services to their patients and their communities.”
Reflecting on PCOM’s evolution—including expanded campuses and teaching locations, a deepened focus on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, and modernized technologies—while maintaining its core values, Dr. Veit acknowledged the progress made since his graduating year and the work still ahead.
“Medical schools and PCOM have changed a lot since 1976—much has improved and more needs to be done,” said Dr. Veit. “But as PCOM has changed over the years, the core values of PCOM have not.”
With more than 38 years of service across all three campuses, Jones reflected on the unique, close-knit environment at PCOM South Georgia and the fulfillment of mentoring future medical professionals.
“With our small class size at PCOM South Georgia, we really get to know our students, where they come from, why they want to become physicians and with many of them I get to be a part of their residency selection process,” said Jones. “Helping to guide the students as they think about what specialty they want to go into and helping them to find residency programs to apply to is the personal touch that we can provide.”
PCOM’s legacy continues to bridge generations, and the unwavering dedication of its leaders and educators ensures that each new generation of physicians upholds the College’s values of excellence, service, and innovation. “To see the students grow throughout the four years and accomplish their dreams is a heartfelt experience, and knowing that every employee had a small piece of their journey is truly special,” said Jones.
As PCOM concludes its year-long celebrations of its 125th anniversary, the College’s rich history continues to shape compassionate healthcare professionals who will make a lasting impact on their communities.
“PCOM has a unique and special culture, students working together in sometimes very stressful environments, in service of the common good,” said Dr. Veit. “I know PCOM's future and our current students' future is as bright as ever.”
