Peter Bidey, DO '08, MSEd, FACOFP, recently joined President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81 on the PCOM Perspectives podcast to discuss his vision, priorities and goals as newly-appointed dean of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program.
PLAY PCOM Perspectives: Dean Peter Bidey, DO, MSEd
As the recently appointed dean of Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine's (PCOM)
osteopathic medical program, Dr. Peter Bidey understands the importance of history. “I feel like my role
and what I strive to do is to protect the things that make PCOM what it is,” he said
in a recent interview with Dr. Feldstein. Qualifying his statement, Bidey added, “But I still want to bring
[PCOM] into the ‘new’ with innovative things like new technologies, theories – things
that never even existed before, but not forgetting those who came before us and spent
so much time crafting [that history].”
The wide-ranging discussion on PCOM Perspectives, the president's podcast, offered one of the first opportunities as dean for Bidey to articulate his vision and priorities for the DO program, his background and path to PCOM, and managing the weight of succeeding the College's longest-tenured dean.
“It's truly an honor to be chosen by the institution to lead in this role, and I don't take this responsibility lightly,” he said. “I have to keep reminding myself that there are certain things that I bring to the table, but I know I can't know everything.” Referring to his preference for a big tent approach to leadership, Bidey added, “I try to get the most information from the biggest group of people to come to a consensus.”
An alum of the College, Bidey feels fortunate to have some of his mentors still on campus and available to offer advice and guidance as he navigates his new leadership role. “I think of the dean as a general contractor,” he said. “Contractors don't work alone, so when I think of the luxury of what I have to aid in this effort, I have people like Dr. [Kenneth J.] Veit, or Dr. [Arthur J.] Sesso. The people who have been there before are still there to aid me when I need it.”
As he settles into his new role, Bidey is mapping out a path to advance PCOM forward. “My job is to bring us into the future,” he said. The College will celebrate its 125th anniversary in 2024, and the new dean is hoping to bring together as many members of the PCOM community as possible through, among other things, improved communication. “I want to open up lines of communication,” he said. “I want to make sure the faculty, staff and students know that I want to communicate with them. I want to be proactive, versus retroactive, in getting out information about what's happening and what I'm thinking.”
Born and raised in Philadelphia (“I haven't really moved more than 15 miles from where I was born,” he reveals), Bidey is extremely proud of his deep connections to the region and, more specifically, his alma mater. “I have great roots here,” he said, likening his role to a gardener tending their plants. “If you have a good set of roots, no matter what happens – if there are storms, trauma, emergencies – you can get through what you need.”
With student mental health a rapidly growing issue at all levels of higher education, Bidey is focused on the needs of the students he serves. “When it comes to mental health and well-being, we have a pretty good program set up,” he said. He is also making issues of diversity, equity and inclusion a focal point in his approach to leading the College's largest program. “I don't think it works when you're making it a small section here and there,” he said. “I think PCOM has done an amazing job allowing it to permeate everything that we do.”
Concluding their conversation by reflecting on their shared experience as born and bred Philadelphians (with Bidey a practicing Mummer since age four), Bidey and Feldstein shared their favorite regional traditions. “My favorite tradition is that we love to boo,” said Feldstein. “We'll keep booing, but I've never booed a Mummer, and hopefully never will.”
To hear the full conversation or listen to past episodes of PCOM Perspectives, visit Spotify, Soundcloud or the Office of the President.
For the past 125 years, 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.
Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312 | Cell:
717-371-0609
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