Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine will be featured, along with the 30 other
award recipients, in the December 2016 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity.
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) was named a recipient of the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The award recognizes medical, dental, pharmacy, osteopathic, nursing, and allied health schools from across the country that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.
“This recognition is a testament to PCOM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion,” said Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81, president and CEO. “Our goal has always been, and will continue to be, integrating diversity into the very fabric of our soul as an institution—from our administrators, to our faculty and staff, to our students, who will need to reflect and understand the needs of the patients and families they will one day serve.”
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected PCOM due in large part to the efforts of the Office of Diversity and Compliance. Since its founding in 2013, the Office has embarked on initiatives such as: implementation of the President’s Diversity Council, which drives strategic execution of the diversity plan across the College; partnering with several minority-focused higher education organizations to actively recruit more minority students and faculty members; creation of a cultural competency series for first- and second-year DO students; implementation of PCOM Safe training; construction of gender-neutral bathrooms; and conducting training sessions on topics such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, sexual harassment awareness and prevention and Title IX.
In 2016, the Office launched PCOM Opportunities Academy, a pipeline program designed to steer motivated Latino high-school students toward careers in healthcare.
“The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees—and best practices for both—continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. We take a holistic approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across a campus,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
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.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.
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