PCOM Leadership Announces Council on Racial Justice
July 17, 2020
The President's Council on Equity, Inclusion and Justice will be led by Marcine Pickron-Davis,
PhD, chief diversity and community relations officer.
On Tuesday, June 23, Jay Feldstein, DO '81, president and CEO, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), announced the formation of the President’s Council on Equity, Inclusion, Justice.
In his announcement letter to the PCOM community, Dr. Feldstein shared, “Collectively,
as an institution that educates osteopathic physicians, allied health professionals
and behavioral scientists, we have a responsibility to address structural racism and
inequities that create and perpetuate health care disparities in marginalized communities.”
Dr. Feldstein also shared initial action steps the College will take. Some of these
initial action steps include community gatherings for critical reflection, new curricular
sections to address disparities in healthcare and recruitment of underrepresented
minority faculty and students across all programs.
Dr. Feldstein has appointed Marcine Pickron-Davis, PhD, chief diversity and community relations officer, to lead this initiative. The Council
includes stakeholders from various departments, including academic affairs, admissions,
student affairs, and human resources. Under this Council, six unique working groups
representing faculty, staff and students will meet to make recommendations to advance
diversity, equity and inclusion in policies and practices.
The formation of this Council will also coincide with the launch of the 2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan in July 2020. “This Council will ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion will
be fully ingratiated into the overall 2025 plan for the College,” said Dr. Pickron-Davis.
“We want to ensure that we are promoting, developing and creating inclusive policies
and practices in all areas.”
“The formation of this Council shows that PCOM leadership is listening and responding
to the demands for change from students,” shared Chantel Thompson (DO '22), a second-year
medical student who will serve on the Council. “My hope is that this Council will
support a new generation of students, faculty and staff that value the importance
of diversity on campus, one that works to improve patient outcomes across populations.”
In reflecting on the importance of the Council, Dr. Pickron-Davis, who is a Black
woman, shared, “If you can see it, you can be it. This Council will work to ensure
representation of largely underrepresented populations. From our students, to faculty
and staff, we hope to attract and retain people from all backgrounds to the College
and ensure that all members of the PCOM family feel a sense of community.”
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