Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) events held throughout 2022 brought students,
faculty and staff together and provided opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations.
In reflecting on 2022, the Office of Diversity and Community Relations (ODCR) has much to be proud of. Since launching their OnePCOM Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate program in early 2022, the ODCR has provided PCOM faculty and staff with a variety of opportunities to engage in meaningful conversations and educational opportunities to make PCOM a more understanding and inclusive space.
“Our goal is to provide community members with tools and skills to advance DEI efforts
at PCOM and our local communities and then commit to a call to action,” shared Marcine Pickron-Davis, PhD, chief diversity and community relations officer. “Change can be small, but it can
make an impact. We are working together, at all levels, to create a more inclusive
PCOM community,” continued Dr. Pickron-Davis.
This year, the ODCR hosted 31 speakers/panels and 23 DEI workshops that included over 300 participants. In total, there are 218 participants in the DEI certificate program, and 27 have completed the certificate. Alicia Hahn, MS, assistant director, diversity and community relations, shared that the program is built for and with the PCOM community, and the ODCR works to find topics and speakers that engage students, faculty and staff. Additionally, Ms. Hahn said that they also work to understand and support the various audiences across campuses.
“We reach out to the community regularly to understand where the needs are. This has helped us to empower change agents across our three campuses. Small examples, like updating our editorial style guide to include more inclusive language, help to create a more welcoming environment at PCOM,” shared Ms. Hahn.
In addition to the OnePCOM certificate program, Dr. Pickron-Davis and the ODCR, in partnership with the Division of Research and the PCOM Library, also launched the Community-Based Research Initiative. This program awards funding to faculty members who engage community-based organizations and PCOM students in collaborative research studies. With a focus on inter-professional initiatives, the research focuses on topics related to specific communities, such as vaccine hesitancy and access to behavioral health barriers in rural communities.
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students at PCOM learn in an environment that
supports a culture of open inquiry, pluralism and mutual respect among students, faculty
and staff.
Looking to 2023, the ODCR plans to expand the OnePCOM DEI Certificate to include students in January. This will build on existing student-focused DEI education that has become a part of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine curriculum.
Additionally, the ODCR recently recognized six faculty and staff members across its three campuses by presenting them with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awards for their work that produced high-impact results in advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at the College.
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.
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