Minority and Community Outreach Programs

Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP) exposes students to science-related activities while introducing them to careers in the health professions at PCOM. This program stimulates academic and scientific interest in high school students from the Philadelphia and surrounding area.

Students receive:

• Exposure to the healthcare field
• Mentorship
• Inspiration and leadership promotion
• Confidence building and motivation for positive change
• Confidence to combat minority science stigma
• Facilitated workshops that provide both hard and soft skills
• Team building and academic support

Students are exposed to various medical clinics and workshops. They also gain knowledge on academic preparation and learn pertinent information about higher education. Participants in this program get hands-on experience while enhancing their leadership and communication skills.

The goals for the program are to:

• Promote higher education
• Create leaders
• Motivate change agents
• Inspire future health professionals
• Improve communication (verbal and written) skills
• Build confidence

The PCOM Scholarly Training and Research (STAR) Program is a pipeline program that has been in existence at PCOM since 2014. Since its inception, we have had nine participants ranging from high school to college students who have worked in a laboratory. In an effort to promote the vast research at PCOM and STEM education, this program was created to expose high school and undergraduate students to bench or clinical research. Inspiring and encouraging young people to consider educational pursuits in scientific research, this program provides students with hands-on opportunities to work side by side with faculty who conduct experiments and gather data. Some have learned to pipet and some have even worked under a sterile hood.

PCOM's Middle School Science Enrichment Program (PMSEP) is offered to middle school students from Philadelphia and the surrounding area. This program is designed to influence young people in the Philadelphia region to choose a career in the health professions through early exposure.

Scholars are intellectually engaged in clinical experiences through project based learning. This program allows students to expand their learning of science by exposing them to various subjects in a medical school curriculum. Participants receive hands-on experiences, whilst enhancing their leadership and communication skills. Each participant is mentored by a medical student and is supervised by a PCOM faculty/staff member.

In an effort to support members of the Philadelphia community, PCOM developed a partnership with Moms of Black Sons (MOBS) Move Philly—a non-profit organization created to empower and educate inner city young black adolescents. Two events occur with each of the young participants.

The first, which occurs in the fall, is a Back to School Health and Wellness Day that provides young men with lectures and workshops focused on removing some of the barriers that prevent academic success and wellness. Topics include but are not limited to bullying, peer pressure and stress management. Students are given school supplies and receive physical exams prior to the start of the new school year.

For the second event, in the winter, students are invited back to PCOM for the MVP (MOBS Move Philly Vocational Passport) component of the program that allows students to be exposed to the health professions at PCOM and also acquire professional development through workshops focused on but not limited to academic requirements for college, resume writing and interviewing skills.

Every year, PCOM opens their doors to students who have an interest in the health professions as part of the PCOM MVP (Medical Vocational Program). This program allows students from high schools and colleges to visit PCOM as a school field trip and immerse them in the PCOM educational atmosphere where they learn about osteopathic medicine. Students are provided a tour of the campus and can also experience hands on learning in the anatomy lab and Saltzburg Clinical Learning and Assessment Center.

Offered by PCOM Georgia, the Future Healthcare Scholars Program is designed for students in 9th grade who have an interest in healthcare professions. The program builds on their curiosity through interactive learning experiences, workshops, campus visits, college readiness preparation and mentorship opportunities that will encourage students to pursue a career in healthcare.

The program educates students from area communities on osteopathic medicine and other healthcare opportunities. It fosters the mission of PCOM in hopes that these students will pursue their professional degree and serve their communities.

In collaboration with the Offices of Admissions and the Office of Diversity and Community Partnerships, PCOM Georgia offers selected undergraduate students (sophomores, juniors and seniors) attending an Atlanta-area Historically Black College or University (HBCU) or Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) the opportunity to gain research experience within healthcare, pharmacy and biomedical sciences.

This six-week summer program allows students to expand their scientific knowledge while also gaining research experiences through hands-on practice. Participants are introduced to scientific studies, while working one-on-one with faculty currently conducting research.

Participants will receive stipends, and a recognition ceremony is held at the end of the program for students and their families.

Offered by PCOM South Georgia, the Future Healthcare Scholars Program is designed for students in 9th grade who have an interest in healthcare professions. The program builds on their curiosity through interactive learning experiences, workshops, campus visits, college readiness preparation and mentorship opportunities that will encourage students to pursue a career in healthcare.

The program allows PCOM South Georgia the opportunity to educate students from area communities on osteopathic medicine and other healthcare opportunities. It fosters the mission of PCOM in hopes that these students will pursue their professional degree and serve their communities.

Twice a year, PCOM South Georgia opens its doors to area high schools giving them the opportunity to meet students, participate in workshops and learn about healthcare professions.

The goal of the program is to introduce students to osteopathic medicine and foster confidence in students of underserved communities to choose a career in healthcare. This program promotes leadership in South Georgia and improves college and career readiness knowledge.

By providing hands on experience to students, PCOM South Georgia hopes to inspire change and action in the medically underserved communities as well as the communities surrounding our campus. PCOM South Georgia hopes to provide a SPARK to help ignite participant’s flame of knowledge!

4170 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131

Toll Free: 800-999-6998
Local: 215-871-6700
Fax: 215-871-6719
Twitter: @PCOMAdmissions 

For information about PCOM programs:

625 Old Peachtree Road
Suwanee, GA 30024

Toll Free: 866-282-4544
Local: 678-225-7500
Fax: 678-225-7526
Twitter: @PCOMAdmissions 

For information about PCOM Georgia programs:

For information about the Doctor of Pharmacy program: 

2050 Tallokas Road
Moultrie, GA 31768

Toll Free: 866-282-4544
Local: 229-668-3162
Fax: 678-225-7526
Twitter: @PCOMAdmissions 

For information about PCOM South Georgia programs: