In the wake of COVID-19 social distancing, DO and PsyD students took their residency
match celebrations online with #PCOMmatch.
On Friday, March 20, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s fourth-year students in the doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO) program and fifth-year students in doctor of clinical psychology (PsyD) program celebrated the news of their Match. In the wake of COVID-19 and strict social distancing restrictions, students took their celebrations online, sharing news of their successes on social media via the hashtag #PCOMmatch.
Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA, provost, senior vice president for academic affairs, and dean, congratulated this year’s class on their Match and championed their spirit of resiliency during this trying time. Dr. Veit shared a congratulatory message in a video on social media saying, “The Class of 2020—from all of our campuses, in all our programs—has succeeded exceptionally well in their various matches.” He continued, “I know all of you will represent PCOM at the highest level as you move on to your professional jobs.”
Jazmin Garcia (DO ’20), who matched into pediatrics, shared the student experience of matching during a global pandemic. Prior to the threat of COVID-19, students had planned to come together for a letter opening ceremony to celebrate the news of their Match on campus. Though it was disappointing to cancel the ceremony, Jazmin shared, “It was amazing to see how our class came together and virtually celebrated each other's achievements as we found out where we would be starting this new chapter in our lives. I think this is very unique to our class and something no one (not even COVID-19) can take away from us.”
For DO students, this year marked the first time osteopathic medicine students matched alongside their allopathic peers in the 2020 National Resident Matching Program (NRMP) Match. PCOM students were among the 90.7 percent of DO students nationwide that matched into residency programs in 38 specialties, according to the American Osteopathic Association.
This year, PCOM’s fifth-year students in the doctor of clinical psychology program celebrated a 100 percent match rate.
Learn more about the Class of 2020’s Match Day.
Learn more about PCOM’s response to COVID-19.
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
© 2024 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine