By Lauren Marie Raziano, PCOM PA OMS-II
With the iconic silver, shining DIMER (Delaware Institute of Medical Education and Research) balloon arch stretching across the podium, over 90 students, administrators, alumni, and notable Delaware healthcare leaders joined together last month to celebrate the 25th year of the DIMER and PCOM dinner.
During the annual DIMER dinner, students meet with local healthcare leaders from the clinical rotation sites offered in Delaware, including Christiana, Bayhealth, and BeeBee.
For the first time in DIMER history, an official pinning ceremony was held during which first-year students received their White Coat DIMER pin. The occasion prompted me to reflect on this new tradition and the meaningful milestone it represents for the Delaware students embarking on their medical journey.
Established in 2001, PCOM’s DIMER program has remained Delaware’s designated osteopathic medical school affiliation for the last 25 years. The recruitment initiative, known as Return to Delaware (RTD), was created so that PCOM students had an opportunity to remain involved with their hometown and state throughout their medical education. The program has encouraged over 339 graduates to remain engaged with the Delaware healthcare system throughout their medical education.
DIMER offers a unique opportunity specifically for Delaware residents applying to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at PCOM. Admission through DIMER is not automatic—students must complete an eligibility form and participate in interviews with both PCOM and DIMER representatives. Candidates must earn approval from both committees to be designated. However, Delaware residents who are not granted DIMER eligibility may still be accepted to PCOM through the standard admissions process. Through its partnership with Delaware Health Sciences Alliance (DHSA), PCOM DIMER students are able to attend the DIMER Speaker's Series featuring PCOM alums and key leaders across Delaware's healthcare system.
At this year’s DIMER event, I met alumna, Maureen Leffler, DO ’04, MPH, who is now chief wellbeing officer at Christiana Care. As a Delaware trained pediatrician who has found a lifelong career, Leffler's journey reflects the kind of meaningful work that can grow from the foundation DIMER provides. Within this program, my classmates and I are beginning to build the professional relationships and community that will support us throughout our careers.
One of my mentors in the program is Lauren Bowser (DO ’26), a fourth-year medical student at PCOM. She has been instrumental in advancing DIMER’s presence on campus by collaborating with the admissions team to establish a formal student committee and by engaging with Delaware students to increase awareness of the program.
Lauren’s support has inspired me to also be a mentor to the incoming class. Connecting with my fellow students has fostered a strong sense of collaboration on campus and has allowed us to support one another through the academic and personal challenges of transitioning into the rigors of medical school.
During this year’s pinning ceremony, students recited an oath that reflects DIMER’s core values and the spirit of its mission. Its closing words—“Never lose sight of your community and the people who supported you along the way. Stay connected to your home state—it’s where your story began and where your impact can be greatest”—resonated deeply with me. These words represent my own aspiration to build my future healthcare career in Delaware, the place where my journey began and where I hope to make a lasting difference.
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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Gabrielle DePietro
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: gabrielde2@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304
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