In the bustling heart of Atlanta's Piedmont Park, a vibrant gathering unfolded on
Saturday, March 23, 2024. It was a convergence of minds and passions at the Atlanta
Science Festival, an annual event dedicated to the learning and career opportunities
within STEM disciplines across metro Atlanta.
Under the direction of Kim Lucier, Director of Campus Operations and Dr. Christy Finley, Assistant Director, Diversity & Community Partnerships, a team of 101 students, faculty, staff, and administration from PCOM Georgia brought their collective energy and expertise to the event. At the heart of PCOM Georgia's presence were interactive activities designed to captivate and educate. Recalling the success of the event, Lucier added, “PCOM Georgia showed up even bigger this year at our second appearance at Atlanta Science Festival 2024!”
From Bone Diggity, a hands-on archaeological adventure facilitated by biomedical sciences students, to the lively agility and balance tests orchestrated by physical therapy students, every corner of PCOM Georgia exhibits pulsated with learning and engagement.
Reflecting on the event, Kevin Borgella, (DO '27), remarked, “We are teaching all our future scholars about archaeology, digging in the sand with bones but then we’re taking those bones and helping them match it up.“
Youth had the opportunity to create slime, an inventive approach to understanding
the components of blood, led by the osteopathic medical students. Meanwhile, the School of Pharmacy and the Community Wellness Initiative offered interactive games to decipher the hidden sugars lurking in everyday foods,
a total of 252 blood pressure screenings were conducted along with valuable insights
into maintaining optimal health.
“The Atlanta Science Festival was a great opportunity for students to serve their local community by providing blood pressure screenings, advocacy and education. Doing so allows them to mold strong interpersonal skills with diverse groups of people and to work towards becoming better healthcare providers, and community leaders in the future,“ said Lucier.
Laura Wood Castillo (PharmD '24), emphasized the importance of their outreach efforts, stating, “It's super important in explaining to them how diet and exercise can contribute to having and maintaining a good blood pressure.“ These words underscored PCOM Georgia's commitment not only to fostering understanding but also to promoting actionable insights for a healthier community.
At the conclusion of another successful Atlanta Science Festival, Lucier reflected,
“The Atlanta Science Festival is one of PCOM Georgia's largest collaborative efforts.“
Indeed, the festival served as a testament to PCOM Georgia's unwavering dedication
to education, outreach and community enrichment.
Looking ahead, PCOM Georgia is filled with anticipation and excitement for the future. PCOM Georgia is paving the way for a world where curiosity knows no bounds, and knowledge is truly transformative.
Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year history dedicated to the healthcare professions. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
Jamesia Harrison, MS
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Email: jamesiaha@pcom.edu
Office: 678-225-7532 | Cell: 470-572-7558
© 2024 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine