PCOM Mourns the Passing of Joseph M. Hassman, DO '65
September 3, 2026
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) mourns the passing of Joseph M. Hassman, DO '65, a dedicated physician, alumnus and community leader. For more than five decades, he cared for patients throughout South Jersey, building a practice—and a family—grounded in medicine and service.
When Dr. Hassman began practicing medicine in Berlin, South Jersey was largely rural. He built his practice one patient at a time, becoming a physician his community could count on for everything from delivering babies to treating common illnesses.
His practice grew into Advocare Berlin Medical Associates, where three of his children eventually joined him. His four children are PCOM alumni: Howard A. Hassman, DO '83; Elissa F. Hassman, DO '86; David R. Hassman, DO '91; and Michael A. Hassman, DO '94.
Howard, his oldest son, made an eight-figure philanthropic commitment to PCOM during the College's 125th anniversary—the largest philanthropic commitment in PCOM’s history. The gift supports PCOM's strategic priorities and serves as the cornerstone of its United & Ignited campaign.
The gift also provided a personal way to honor his father. Since 2024, PCOM Family Medicine on City Avenue has been named the Joseph M. Hassman, DO '65 Family Medicine Center.
The center provides primary care to the community while giving PCOM students the opportunity to learn in a clinical setting—continuing, in its own way, the kind of community-based medicine that defined Dr. Hassman's career.
“Joe understood that medicine is ultimately about people: the patients who entrust us with their care and the families and communities that physicians have the privilege to serve,” said Interim President and CEO Kenneth J. Veit, DO '76, MBA, who treats patients at Hassman Family Medicine Center. “He will be missed, and his example continues to shape the clinical care we provide and the healthcare professionals we educate.”
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About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
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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