Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has announced Arthur J. Sesso, DO ’81, senior associate dean of osteopathic curricula innovation and accountability, as
the recipient of the 2020 OJ Snyder Memorial Medal. It 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. Dr. Sesso will receive his medal during PCOM’s Founders’
Day celebration on Friday, Jan. 24.
Dr. Sesso, professor of surgery, has taught at the College since 1986 and has chaired the Department of Surgery for 15 years. He serves as surgery clerkship director; director of the general surgery residency program; chair of the PCOM curriculum committee; medical director of simulation services and academic coordinator of the undergraduate surgery and Introduction to Clerkship courses.
He developed the Introduction to Clerkship course to better prepare students for their residencies through a month-long protocol of 16 exercises on topics ranging from patient interviews and medical ethics to trauma care and surgical techniques.
Dr. Sesso also developed the Clinical Reasoning in Basic Science (CRIBS) course, designed to more seamlessly integrate classroom learning in the first two years of medical school with clinical case studies.
In addition, he heads the College’s committee on transforming physician training with more hands-on learning and less classroom time—and with more focus on wellness, communication and understanding how to run a system-based practice.
Dr. Sesso lectures in general surgery to some 300 first- and second-year students each year and is involved in clerkship preparations for those readying for their residencies. He also oversees those students who do fulfill their surgical residencies at PCOM.
Dr. Sesso is board-certified in general surgery, and received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from PCOM in 1981. He resides in Ocean City, New Jersey with his wife, Eva, a graduate of the PCOM DO class of 1982.
For the past 125 years, 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.
Daniel McCunney
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: danielmc1@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304 | Cell:
267-449-1360
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