March 2003

On April 10, hundreds of DOs, student doctors, spouses and other supporters of osteopathic medicine will convene in Washington, D.C. to convince members of Congress to support issues important to the osteopathic medical community. Sponsored by American Osteopathic Association, DO Day on Capitol Hill "demonstrates that the community is dedicated to protecting and preserving the cornerstones of osteopathic medicine and quality patient care," says Marcelino Oliva, DO, Chairman of the Council on Federal Health Programs. "It´s so important for DOs, student doctors and other members of the osteopathic community to be here for our DO Day on Capitol Hill. The more you participate in this event, the more Capitol Hill will understand osteopathic medicine and welcome our positions on important health policy issues."

Last year´s event helped establish support for professional liability insurance reform. More than 150 participants from 25 states told over 150 members of Congress to support professional liability insurance reform.

PCOM Alumna Named ACOFP Physician of the Year

Because she was unable to attend the annual conference of the ACOFP held in Tennessee, Dr. Schmidt received her award in a surprise ceremony as she instructed students at PCOM. The award was presented by former ACOFP president Michael F. Avallone, Sr., DO ´59. In his presentation, Dr. Avallone noted that, "Dr. Schmidt´s accomplishments on behalf of her patients, students, the ACOFP and the profession have earned her this prestigious award." A videotape of the presentation was shown at the ACOFP annual conference.

On May 2, Dr. Schmidt received two additional awards at the annual POMA convention. She received the Teacher of the Year Award and the Frederick J. Solomon, DO Award of Merit from the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Family Physicians Society. She is the only woman to  receive the Teacher of the Year Award and the only physician to receive both awards in one year. The local NBC affiliate, Channel 10, produced a segment on Dr. Schmidt that aired on the evening news on May 2 and was rerun on May 4.

The annual observance of Founders´ Day commemorates the founders of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine: Oscar J. Snyder, DO and Mason W. Pressly, DO. To honor PCOM´s founders and those who continue to make the institution great, the College awards an O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal and a Mason W. Pressly Memorial Medal.

The winner of this year´s O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal is Leonard W. Johnson, DO ´64. Dr. Johnson has dedicated his life to helping people, not only through the practice of medicine, but by mentoring hundreds of students and helping hundreds more obtain the financial resources to attend college and medical school. "I try to help make life better for people, especially those who are less fortunate," says Dr. Johnson, who, along with his associates, cares for over 10,000 patients in his medical practice. And he still makes house calls. "I have about 10 people I see at home now, " he says. "I used to see more."

He worries about patients who can´t get the best prescription medicine to treat their illnesses because they´re on welfare. He also worries about young people who might not realize their full potential in life because they can´t afford to go to college or medical school. "We need to do more," he emphasizes. "We need better public health policies, and we need to provide more scholarship money for capable students who are underserved." Dr. Johnson has done more than his share as a member of PCOM´s Minority Scholarship Committee and as chairman of the Florida A&M Alumni Association Scholarship Committee nearly every year since 1963. As a member of the PCOM board of trustee, Dr. Johnson is vitally interested in the continued success of the College. "We need to continue to prepare good primary care physicians," he says. "They are the basis of medicine."

Mason W. Pressly Memorial Medal recipient Joshua M. Baron, class of 2003, has always believed that a doctor has an opportunity to to be not just a doctor, but also a coach, teacher and friend. "Being a doctor provides an awesome chance to get involved and make a difference in the lives of patients and other people in the community," he says. Throughout his years at PCOM, Baron has put his personal philosophy into practice through his work at the Fairmount Clinic where, in addition to his urban medicine rotation, he volunteered to deliver food to the homeless, provide blood pressure checks and AIDS testing and talked with local youth about substance abuse and safe sex. He volunteered with Habitat for Humanity which, he says, "reaffirmed my belief that a doctor can and should make a difference in people´s lives in meaningful ways." Baron has also made a difference in the PCOM community as an Executive Board Member of the Student Government Association, a member of the PCOM Mentoring Program and as a member of PCOM´s Student Admissions Committee. A Sigma Sigma Phi Honor Society Member, Baron looks forward to a career in emergency medicine.