Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion | PCOM Leadership Message
Skip to main content

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion 
A Message From PCOM Executive Leadership

Message from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Executive Leadership about PCOM's commitment to diversity and inclusion:

Founded in 1899, the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine is a preeminent leader in promoting diversity and inclusion. Twenty-two years after the College's founding, our first African American graduate was a female, Meta L. Christy, a member of the class of 1921. At PCOM, we espouse to grow a culturally competent workforce to advance medicine that touches the lives of underserved communities. Diversity and inclusion is the core component of our institutional identity and a key pillar of PCOM’s strategic visions.

The President's Council on Equity, Inclusion and Justice was appointed by President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81, in July 2020 to further advance PCOM's commitment to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

PCOM ranked first among more than 2,700 institutions across the U.S. for the number of doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees awarded to students of two or more races, according to the 2017 Diverse: Issues in Higher Education list of “Top 100 Degree Producers” for minority students. The College also ranked third for the number of doctor of osteopathic medicine degrees awarded to African-Americans, and rounded out the top 100 for doctoral degrees in all disciplines, in the “Total Minority” category.

For the eighth consecutive year, PCOM received the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The award recognizes U.S. medical, dental, pharmacy, osteopathic, nursing, and allied health schools that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine affirms that diversity and inclusion are crucial to the intellectual vitality of the campus community. It is through freedom of exchange over different ideas and viewpoints in supportive environments that our graduates develop the critical thinking and citizenship skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

View PCOM's 2023 Diversity Report (PDF)
X