Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has announced Norman Edward Vinn,
DO '77, MBA, as the recipient of the 2023 O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal. The O.J. Snyder
Memorial Medal is presented in memory of the co-founder of PCOM and is the College's
highest award, which recognizes leadership and service to the osteopathic profession and to the institution. Dr. Vinn will be honored at PCOM's Founders' Day celebration
on Friday, January 27, at 11 a.m. on YouTube.
Dr. Vinn is a pioneer in the in-home care industry and coined the term “residentialist” to describe healthcare providers specially trained to provide clinical care to frail and vulnerable seniors in their homes. In 2002 he founded The Residentialist Group (TRG) in San Clemente, California, specializing in providing doctors, nurse practitioners and physician assistants for geriatric home care.
Beginning his career with a degree in English literature from Tulane University, Dr. Vinn briefly considered a career in film. He ultimately chose to enter the medical field at the urging of his father, Joseph Edward Vinn, DO '41, and attended PCOM, graduating with a degree in osteopathic medicine in 1977. “It was a source of pride to be able to follow in my father's footsteps,” says Dr. Vinn.
After transitioning from clinical practice to practice management and leadership of physician organizations, including an executive role at a large managed care organization, Dr. Vinn formed TRG with a network of health professionals providing on-site clinical services to elderly patients in Southern California. Dr. Vinn developed TRG with the goal of reducing hospitalizations and unnecessary costs, as well as offer seniors a more affordable alternative to long-term care facilities.
In 2015, he partnered with PCOM to form the Residentialist Housecall Medical Group, which supports faculty by offering guidance on clinical policy and protocols, as well as contract development with regional accountable care organizations and managed care networks and specialized training for postdoctoral fellowships in the continuum of care of elderly persons.
A board-certified family physician, Dr. Vinn serves as current president of the American Academy of Home Care Medicine and was past president of the American Osteopathic Association from 2013 to 2014. “I am committed to the culture and mission of the osteopathic profession and the aspiration that our students, residents and graduates remain engaged with this profession and utilize the osteopathic philosophy in their daily approach to patients and treatment decisions,” says Dr. Vinn.
Dr. Vinn and his wife, Marsha, have three daughters: Vanessa Vinn, DO, FACOI, an osteopathic internist and residentialist; Danielle Vinn, a special education teacher; and Lily Vinn, a healthcare marketing specialist.
Learn more about Founders' Day 2023 at PCOM.
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.
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