PCOM Receives National Honor for Excellence in Diversity

Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) received the 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual HEED Award—a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion—PCOM will be featured, along with 91 other recipients, in the November 2015 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the first time PCOM has been named as a HEED Award recipient—an honor that has never been bestowed upon an osteopathic medical school.

“Diversity is a core value at PCOM,” said Jay S. Feldstein, DO, president and CEO. “As a post-graduate institution that trains osteopathic physicians and health care professionals, our students need to reflect the patients and the families they will care for and serve. Our goal is to integrate diversity into the fabric of our soul. It starts with our Board of Trustees, our leadership team, our faculty, our employees and our student population.”

“As an institution, we work from the paradigm that academic excellence and diversity are inextricably linked,” said Lisa McBride, PhD, chief diversity officer. “This recognition by INSIGHT Into Diversity is a manifestation of the commitment PCOM has to creating a learning and working environment that is nurturing and beneficial to all members of our campus community.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected PCOM for its commitment to diversity and inclusion in every aspect of the College, from its recruitment efforts, to its academic offerings, to the physical space on its Philadelphia and Georgia campuses. Much of this activity has stemmed from the formation of the President’s Diversity Council, a group of individuals from both campuses who make recommendations to Dr. Feldstein on matters of equity and diversity, and provide strategic execution of the College’s Diversity Plan.

“The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees—and best practices for both—continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. We take a holistic approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across a campus,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

For more information about the 2015 HEED Award, visit www.insightintodiversity.com.