PCOM Wins National Recognition for Diversity Efforts
October 5, 2016
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.
PCOM will be featured, along with the 30 other recipients, in the December 2016 issue
of INSIGHT Into Diversity.
For more information about the 2016 Health Professions HEED Award, visit www.insightintodiversity.com.
You May Also Like:
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