By Jennifer Schaffer LeoneMembers of the PCOM community reflect on the life and accomplishments of PCOM's seventh president, Matthew Schure, PhD.
Matthew Schure, PhD, who served as PCOM’s seventh president and chief executive officer
from 2000 to 2014, died at home on February 1, 2023. He is survived by his wife, Judy,
two children and five grandchildren.
During his 13-year tenure, Dr. Schure guided Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine with steadfastness and vision. His leadership was transformational, his accomplishments
a legacy.
He was a teacher-scholar in both word and action, a man of extraordinary intelligence, of integrity and principle.
Dr. Schure’s historic contributions advanced PCOM’s instructional, research and service missions. He directed the growth of the College’s graduate programs and enlarged clinical teaching fellowships. He supported simulation-based education and assessment within the curricula. And through the creation of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging, he helped enhance basic science and clinical research.
In 2001, Dr. Schure oversaw the purchase of the former City Avenue Hospital. The building
was razed, and a parcel of the land was sold. Investment income from the sale supported
need-based student scholarships. In 2005, he led the opening of PCOM Georgia, the College’s first branch campus and earliest reach into the South.
In collaboration with the PCOM Board of Trustees, Dr. Schure aligned strategic objectives with business plans. He suppressed the rate of tuition increases for more than a decade. At the same time, he substantially built the College’s endowment during two recessionary periods.
Dr. Schure was genuinely proud of the PCOM community and found great strength in it. He referred to PCOM as a family, one recognized for academic excellence and collegiality. He often said that, “the sense of community [at the College] is incomparable, the product of a multitude of caring acts.”
In words and photographs amassed by Digest Magazine, Dr. Schure’s beloved community recalls his legacy. May his memory be—for all of us—a blessing.
“Matt gave full measure of heart and soul to PCOM. He was among our College’s greatest leaders. He was driven by a steady moral compass and a resolute belief in the power of education to improve lives.”
- Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81, president and chief executive officer
“Throughout its history, our College has been most fortunate to have the right president at the right time. Each president has brought his unique skill set to the school for growth and expansion and at times, survival. Matt was, undoubtedly, the right president for PCOM for 13 years he served. He brought experience and intelligence to navigate the College into its current multi-campus, multi-program environment, positioning us well for the next decade of future challenges and growth.”
- Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs
“President Schure came from New York with a fresh strategic vision. He expanded the College’s graduate program offerings and brought PCOM Georgia to fruition. But for me, it was President Schure’s demeanor that had the greatest impact. He graciously opened his door and heart to the community; he had such a wonderful way about him, a profound goodness. He lived his beliefs and convictions. He was genuinely interested in everyone and everything. He instilled a culture of family.”
- Lavinia Lafferty, retired executive assistant to the president and secretary to the Board of Trustees
“I introduced President Schure to PCOM Georgia’s DO class in 2005, and my words are as true today as they were almost a decade ago: He is a man of importance, but he is also a man of modesty. He is a man of faith, who understands practical aspects of interpersonal relationships. He is a man who believes in the sacredness of life, who acknowledges the value of a life well lived. He is a man of vision, who has an unclouded view of the potential for osteopathic, pharmacy and biomedical sciences education in the South. He is a considerate man, who values the opinions of others. He is a family man, who glows when considering the accomplishments of family.”
- John Fleischmann, former campus officer, PCOM Georgia [words offered on the occasion of Dr. Schure’s retirement]
Digest, the magazine for alumni and friends of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, is published by the Office of Marketing and Communications. The magazine reports on osteopathic and other professional trends of interest to alumni of the College’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) and graduate programs at PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia.
© 2024 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine