Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine's Community Wellness Initiative (CWI) recently hosted the first of its annual series of Community Days at the newly renovated Lancaster Avenue Healthcare Center in West Philadelphia.
The Aug. 25 event included a DJ, local food trucks, face painting, free haircuts, health screenings and an education station led by PCOM Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students where kids learned about the body and first aid. There was also a giveaway of 125 school backpacks with school supplies and toiletries in celebration of PCOM's 125th anniversary and its recently launched Ignite 125 campaign, a 125-day initiative to celebrate PCOM's anniversary year through community outreach.
In continuing the celebrations, Kenneth J. Veit, DO '76, provost and senior vice president for academic affairs, joined the CWI and student volunteers in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the $1 million Lancaster Avenue Healthcare Center renovation project, which includes new and efficient lighting, flooring, restrooms and a refurbished exterior.
“Serving our patients and community members for the third year was amazing,” said CWI Director Flo Byarms. “Each year, we look forward to pouring into this community and none of it would be possible without our CWI sponsors, vendors, and community partners who helped make this day so special. We look forward to doing it again next year!”
The next Healthcare Center Community Day will take place Thursday, October 24, at PCOM's Cambria Division location, where there will be a giveaway of 125 winter coats, hats and gloves to help local communities prepare for the winter season.
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.
Gabrielle DePietro
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: gabrielde2@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304
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