At age 10, Oronde McClain (MS ’27) survived a drive-by shooting that left him clinically dead for more than two minutes. He spent weeks in a coma and had to relearn how to walk and talk while living with partial paralysis and PTSD—an experience that ultimately shaped the direction of his life’s work.
Now a student in the Mental Health Counseling program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), McClain has spent more than 20 years advocating for gun violence survivors and ensuring their voices are centered in the fight against violence. He serves as director of the Survivor Connection for the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting, working directly with those impacted by gun violence and promoting trauma-informed journalism.
“Survivors have always been at the center of my work because we live with the consequences long after the headlines fade,” McClain said. “If you don’t listen to the people who’ve been harmed, you can’t truly understand the problem—or be a part of the solution.”
McClain partnered with PCOM’s SHELTER program (Support & Healing through Empowerment, Learning and Trauma Education in Recovery) to bring his short documentary, The Second Trauma—produced in collaboration with Temple University’s Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting and the Philadelphia Center for Gun Violence Reporting—to campus for a screening and discussion.
That visit sparked an unexpected next step.
I want survivors to know healing is possible. And I want the systems around them—from media to health care—to understand the power they have to either harm or help.
Oronde McClain (MS ’27)
Faculty and members of the SHELTER team encouraged McClain to apply to PCOM after seeing his ability to connect with audiences and advocate for survivors. For McClain, it confirmed the need to pair his lived experience with formal clinical training.
“I’ve always worked directly with my community, speaking out and helping survivors navigate trauma,” McClain said. “Now I’m gaining the clinical tools and credentials to strengthen that work and reach even more people.”
His leadership was recognized when he received a “Billies” Award from Billy Penn by WHYY for his work supporting survivors across Philadelphia.
McClain continues to work with PCOM’s SHELTER program, referring gun violence survivors for care and helping remove barriers and stigma around mental health services.
“He brings credibility that can’t be taught in a classroom,” said Erik Langenau, DO, MS, MAPP, professor of Pediatrics and co-director of SHELTER. “Oronde’s unique experience allows him to provide clinical support that builds trust and opens doors for people who might otherwise never seek help.”
Today, McClain balances coursework with advocacy, using both personal experience and professional training to guide survivors toward healing.
“I want survivors to know healing is possible,” he said. “And I want the systems around them—from media to health care—to understand the power they have to either harm or help.”
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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Ally Wengel
Public Relations Manager
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: allywe@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6325
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