MISSION: POSSIBLE presented OPERATION OUTREACH, an online event that featured mental
health education, live music, fitness classes and more.
After enduring a grueling regimen of treatment for lymphoma in 2017, United States Navy Commander Jason Duff, PsyD ’08, wanted to make sure others going through a similar experience had the support and resources they needed to fight the disease. From that experience grew MISSION: POSSIBLE, an annual music event created to “empower, support, educate, and rock n’ roll.”
MISSION: POSSIBLE’s goal is to raise awareness about cancer support, prevention and treatment while raising funds to support the Cancer Support Community Greater Philadelphia (CSCGP). This year, MISSION: POSSIBLE presented OPERATION OUTREACH, a mental health focused event with music, education, fitness instruction, mental health resources and more.
Elizabeth Gosch, PhD, ABPP, who participated in the OPERATION OUTREACH event during a conversation with Dr. Duff on helping children thrive during the pandemic, shared, “I am always looking for ways to provide support and mental health care information to families. The pandemic has made it hard on all families, but for those with a family member who is immunocompromised or has had issues with cancer, it is particularly difficult.”
OPERATION OUTREACH grew out of MISSION: POSSIBLE’s efforts to educate and entertain while raising funds and awareness for cancer research and support. With the global pandemic impacting communities around the world – including cancer patients and their unique needs – OPERATION OUTREACH was specifically intended to address the effects of the pandemic, especially during the 2020 holiday season.
Born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia, Dr. Duff has since 2007 served as a clinical psychologist in the U.S. Navy. He and his family are currently based in the San Diego, CA area, but still support the Philadelphia region through MISSION: POSSIBLE.
“The family nature of the [PCOM] PsyD program means we stay in touch with graduates and do what we can to support their work,” said Dr. Gosch. “Jason is a cancer survivor and he's channeled his impressive energy into cancer awareness and fundraising through MISSION: POSSIBLE.”
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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