PCOM Opportunities Academy Graduates Inaugural Class
August 17, 2016The inaugural class of PCOM Opportunities Academy recently completed their five-week
session and celebrated during a graduation ceremony, where they received symbolic
white coats to mark their start on the path towards becoming health practitioners
and researchers.
“We are really excited that a lot of our [Academy] students have opened their eyes
up to the healthcare occupations, and know what they want to do with their future,”
said Dr. Lisa McBride, PhD, chief diversity officer at PCOM. “That’s largely because
of our staff, faculty and students who served as instructors, and got them energized
about the five great diseases.”
This summer, 33 students participated in the Academy, the purpose of which is to help
raise interest in science, technology, engineering, and math—plus medicine (STEM+M).
Over the course of the summer, the 33 students studied those diseases—cancer, infectious
disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and neurological disease—through lectures,
demonstrations and field trips to some of Philadelphia’s most prestigious scientific
institutions. Students also had the opportunity to learn from a diverse group of leaders
in the health care field—most notably, Antonia Novello, MD, the first Latina US surgeon
general, who spoke at the graduation ceremony.
“You’ve been given a tremendous opportunity,” she told the Academy students. “Please
don’t squander it.”
PCOM and its partners—ASPIRA Schools of Pennsylvania, Inc. and Esperanza, Inc.—will
now track students’ performance and continued interest in science, technology, math
and medicine (STEM+M) as they move through high school and into undergraduate education,
and how the Academy will influence its partner institutions’ curricula and teaching
methods.
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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