PCOM Announces Founders’ Day 2022 Honorees
April 21, 2022PCOM has announced that John P. Kearney, vice chairman, PCOM Board of Trustees, and Jeffrey M. Branch, EdD, chair, Department of Organizational Development and Leadership, are this year’s
recipients of the O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal and the Alumni Association Certificate
of Honor, respectively.
Mr. Kearney and Dr. Branch will be honored at the College’s Founders’ Day ceremony
on Friday, April 29, at 11 a.m. The ceremony will be streamed live on YouTube.
John P. Kearney
O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal Recipient
John P. Kearney, vice-chairman of the PCOM Board of Trustees, is this year’s recipient of PCOM’s O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal. Mr. Kearney has a
deep history with PCOM, serving on the Board since 2002 and as chairman from 2014-2021.
Under his leadership, PCOM has grown both its geographic footprint and its academic
offerings, while simultaneously keeping tuition increases to a minimum and doubling
the College’s endowment. Retiring in 2014 after 38 years as president of ERICO Corp,
John P. Kearney Associates Inc. and M&K Leasing Inc., Mr. Kearney continues to operate
Kearney Real Estate. He has received numerous awards over the years for his dedication
to the community, including the Four Chaplains Bronze Medallion, an award recognizing
extraordinary contributions to the well-being of others. He is also a previous recipient
of the PCOM President’s Award (2010) and the Alumni Association Certificate of Honor
(2014). Learn more about Mr. Kearney.
About the O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal
The O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal is presented in memory of the co-founder of PCOM and
is the College's highest award, which recognizes leadership and service to the osteopathic profession and to the institution.
Jeffrey M. Branch, EdD
PCOM Alumni Association Certificate of Honor Recipient
Also receiving honors at this year’s Founders’ Day celebration is Jeffrey M. Branch,
EdD, chair of the Department of Organizational Development and Leadership, who will receive the PCOM Alumni Association Certificate of Honor which recognizes
distinguished services rendered and loyal devotion to PCOM. It is the highest honor
bestowed by the PCOM Alumni Association. Learn more about Dr. Branch.
About Founders' Day
Founders' Day celebrates the birth of PCOM in 1899 by Drs. Snyder and Pressly, who sought to bring the osteopathic philosophy of whole-person
healthcare to Philadelphia. The ceremony on January 27 will celebrate the accomplishments
of the 2023 Founders' Day award recipients who embody the dedication, loyalty and
service to the College that our founders, O.J. Snyder and Mason W. Pressly, exhibited.
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About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Founded 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 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, and graduate degrees in
applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic
medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, non profit leadership
and population health management, organizational development and leadership, physician
assistant studies, school psychology, and public health management and administration.
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.
For more information, contact:
Daniel McCunney
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: danielmc1@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304 | Cell:
267-449-1360