Founders’ Day Celebrates PCOM’s History, Continued Legacy
May 5, 2022
John P. Kearney and Jeffrey M. Branch, EdD, were honored at the College’s Founders’
Day ceremony on Friday, April 29.
Aspirin was newly developed, a vaccine for the Bubonic plague produced just two years
before, and the blood type classification system would be created two years later—though
the medical landscape of 1899 was vastly different from today, the legacy of that
time endures through institutions like the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and the students who pass through its halls each year.
In addition to that years’ other notable events, PCOM opened its doors for the first time through the work of founders Drs. O.J. Snyder and Mason Pressley.
On Friday, April 29, the PCOM community came together for the 2022 Founders’ Day ceremony
to recognize the College’s inception and honor the legacy of our founders, who sought
to bring the osteopathic philosophy of whole-person health care to Philadelphia. The ceremony was live streamed on the
College’s YouTube channel.
John P. Kearney, vice chairman, PCOM Board of Trustees, and Jeffrey M. Branch, EdD, chair, Department of Organizational Development and Leadership, were this year’s
recipients of the O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal and the Alumni Association Certificate
of Honor, respectively. The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of Mr. Kearney
and Dr. Branch, who embody the dedication, loyalty, and service to the College that
PCOM’s founders exhibited.
Introduced by Thomas J. Gravina, Chairman, PCOM Board of Trustees, President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO ‘81, offered historical context for the gathering, “Through the vision of Mason Wiley
Pressley, DO, and Oscar John Snyder, DO, PCOM’s legacy began,” said Dr. Feldstein.“
They opened the Philadelphia College of Infirmary of Osteopathy in two rooms of an
office building… Establishing the nation’s 12th osteopathic college. Today, we honor
the legacy of our founders and we celebrate all those who continue to forward the
PCOM story.”
Shanda Lucas-O’Dennis, MS/ODL ‘09, PCOM Alumni Association Awards Committee Chair,
introduced Alumni Association Certificate of Honor recipient Dr. Jeffrey M. Branch.
“He embodies distinguished service and loyalty to PCOM,” she said. “It is an honor
to congratulate Dr. Branch on receiving the 2022 Alumni Association Certificate of
Honor.”
Upon receiving his award, Dr. Branch remarked on the experience, “I am humbled by
receiving this award,” he said. “I feel honored, I feel grateful that these students
are given to us. That we have an opportunity to share our hearts, our spirit, our
knowledge with these students.”
In his introduction for John P. Kearney, recipient of the O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal,
Dr. Feldstein noted how Mr. Kearney’s relationship with PCOM began, saying, “John’s
ties to PCOM date back to the late 1990s, when his eldest son JD enrolled as a student.”
“While JD’s dream was to become an osteopathic physician,” he added, “his life was
tragically taken during a trip in Arizona. After JD’s passing, PCOM became [John’s]
family—a safe place—a source of strength and stability.”
Kearney, a Scranton, Pennsylvania area native who chartered a bus full of supporters
to the event, acknowledged in his remarks the many people, including his late wife,
Lois, who supported and guided his efforts through the years, saying, “These individuals
are very, very special in my life, and I want the whole PCOM family to know them.”
He also made special tribute to his beloved late son, JD, and, ever generous and humble,
concluded his remarks with a request, “Lois and I have received many honors in our
lives together,” he said, “and I believe that Lois should share today in the celebration
and the honor of receiving the O.J. Snyder [Memorial Medal] with me because, truly,
I do not deserve an award without her.”
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