The College's Commission on Racial Justice: Transforming Campus Culture 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 Commission on Racial Justice: Transforming Campus Culture. 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 Commission
includes stakeholders from various departments, including academic affairs, admissions,
student affairs, and human resources. Under this Commission, 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 Commission will also coincide with the launch of the 2025 Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Strategic Plan in July 2020. “This Commission 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 Commission 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 Commission. “My hope is that this Commission 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 Commission, Dr. Pickron-Davis, who is a Black woman, shared, “If you can see it, you can be it. This Commission 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.”
Learn more about PCOM's current efforts in diversity and community relations.
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, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy and school psychology, and graduate degrees in biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, mental health counseling, 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
