PCOM South Georgia coordinates various community outreach, diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives throughout the year.
Brothers in Medicine works to bridge the gap between medical professionals and the Black community. By raising awareness of social health detriments specific to our local population, a trusting relationship can be built. The student-led organization routinely hosts free health screenings and collaborates with youth groups. This involvement and interaction empowers younger generations to seek careers in health care and establishes PCOM South Georgia’s Black male students as role models.
PCOM's Community Wellness Initiative (CWI) was founded to create educational and health services programming that support health and wellness in communities surrounding the College's locations.
CWI programs and events provide opportunities for PCOM students and staff to engage in patient care, community health education and research.
The Community-Based Research Faculty Fellowship was created by the Office of Diversity and Community Relations in partnership with the Division of Research and the PCOM Library.
Funding is awarded annually to faculty members who engage community-based organizations and PCOM students in collaborative research studies. Preference is given to proposals that focus on inter-professional initiatives and allow multiple students to volunteer with research duties.
Examples of studies and engagement projects include examining vaccine COVID hesitancy in local communities and exploring health services barriers in rural communities.
The Office of Diversity routinely hosts lecturers and guest speakers to share about current topics in the intersection of health in relation to diversity and inclusion.
Dr. A.J. Ramirez, a professional counselor as well as an academic and advocate for change regarding sexual assaults on college campuses, presented "LGBT 101" to the PCOM South Georgia community.
The PCOM Safe Space program creates spaces where all people may feel welcome and safe. Participants are taught to be aware of the diversity of gender identity and sexual orientation and how to be part of a community of allies for LGBTQIA people. Enrollment is free and open to any faculty, staff, administrators and students at PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia. Learn more.
The Student National Medical Association, Office of Student Affairs, Diversity Community Relations/Partnerships and local clinicians bring together first-year students who are underrepresented in the fields of science and medicine to celebrate, network and learn strategies for success at PCOM.
The President’s Leadership in Diversity Awards recognize the achievements of graduating students who have made significant contributions to advance diversity and inclusion at PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia.
Recipients have implemented initiatives which cultivate, advance or model diversity and inclusion within the College community. Nominees are evaluated by a committee of faculty and staff using the following criteria:
PCOM's Employee Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Award is presented annually to one faculty member and one staff member who have exceedingly worked to advance diversity, equity and inclusion at the College. Honorees are nominated by their colleagues.
Any employee or student can nominate a member of the faculty or staff for an award; individuals can also self-nominate.
View past award recipients:
Additional programs and events hosted by the PCOM South Georgia Office of Diversity include Lupus Awareness Month, Sistahs in Medicine: Sistah Circles, Diwali Festival, Diversity Dinner, National Hispanic Heritage Month, Suicide Awareness Week, microaggressions training workshop, pancreatic cancer awareness, breast cancer awareness, World AIDS Day, International Pronoun Day, Cultural Competency - Faith Circle, National Trans Awareness Week, Mommy & Me Brunch, Black Maternal Health Panel, Testimonies of Hope Panel, Eid Celebration, Diversity Book Club and more.
The PCOM South Georgia Opportunities Academy is a summer enrichment program for local high school students interested in healthcare careers. The program is designed to guide underrepresented youth to careers in medicine and science.
Medical students, faculty and staff at PCOM South Georgia lead participants through full days of hands-on learning. Academy students engage in interactive labs and dissections as well as listen to guest lectures. Youth explore various medical subjects from cardiology to infectious diseases to neuroscience. Students gain exposure to different careers in health care as well as learn how to apply to college and professional programs.
The program is held in July of each year. For more information, contact Dr. Stacie Fairley, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology, at staciefa@pcom.edu.
Area physicians worked alongside PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia faculty, staff and students to expose local youth to careers in health care. Bainbridge High School students participated in various biology, anatomy and health exercises as part of the national Health Career Collaborative (HCC) initiative.
HCC's mission is to provide mentorship, engaging health curriculum and providing exposure to students from low-income, underrepresented minority communities.
PCOM South Georgia is proud to partner with local organizations in the Colquitt County area. These non-profit organizations also provide volunteer opportunities for PCOM South Georgia students and staff. Contact the Office of Diversity and Community Relations for more information.
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