PCOM Restructures Programs, Departments
November 5, 2018Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has announced the formation of two new schools as part of a recent academic restructuring:
the PCOM School of Health Sciences and the PCOM School of Professional and Applied
Psychology. The new schools join the PCOM College of Osteopathic Medicine, which encompasses the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine programs across all campuses
and locations; and the PCOM School of Pharmacy, established in 2010 and located at the institution’s branch campus in Suwanee, Georgia.
The PCOM School of Professional and Applied Psychology brings together all of the College’s psychology and leadership graduate programs
under one roof: clinical psychology; counseling and clinical health psychology; educational
psychology; mental health counseling; school psychology; organizational development
and leadership; aging and long-term care administration; public health management
and administration; and non-profit leadership and population health management. The
School also houses a number of certificate programs including applied behavior analysis.
The PCOM School of Health Sciences brings the College’s health sciences graduate and doctoral programs together: biomedical
sciences; forensic medicine and pathology; physical therapy and physician assistant
studies.
Kenneth Veit, DO '76, MBA, provost, senior vice president of academic affairs and dean, said the decision to
restructure came after the establishment and growth of new academic programs over
the last several years, coupled with the recent retirement of the College’s former
head of graduate programs and planning.
“We wanted to create a new structure that better reflects the size and scope of our
academic programs and also the institution’s university status, which was granted
by the state of Pennsylvania in 2014,” said Dr. Veit. He added that the institution
has no plans to rename.
Two internal candidates, Robert A. DiTomasso, PhD, ABPP, (above) and Gregory McDonald, DO ’89, (left) were chosen as the deans for the PCOM School of Professional and Applied
Psychology and the PCOM School of Health Sciences, respectively. Dr. McDonald previously
served as the head of forensic medicine and pathology, and Dr. DiTomasso had served
as the chair of the Department of Psychology for more than 14 years.
Shawn Spencer, PhD, began his tenure as dean of the PCOM School of Pharmacy on March 26.
“The restructuring is intended to strengthen academic offerings within the college
and schools, to continue and enhance professional collaboration in PCOM’s teaching
and research missions, and encourage a shared vision for excellence in interprofessional
education, clinical work and scientific discoveries,” said Dr. Veit. “Deans will have
the structure they need to achieve success and potentially grow or expand offerings
within their schools.”
Learn more about each of PCOM’s colleges and schools.
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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