Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) launched a community outreach campaign through its Community Wellness Initiative (CWI) to distribute 500 Health Aid Kits to underserved communities across Philadelphia throughout the holiday season and leading up to Founder’s Day, as part of the College’s anniversary year celebrations.
“Our goal was to provide more than just health supplies—we wanted to offer meaningful support that could truly make a difference for families during the holiday season,” said Flo Byarms, director of PCOM’s Community Wellness Initiative. “By including a $125 Fresh Grocer gift card in each Health Aid Kit, we hoped to ease some of the financial burden on families, allowing them to purchase nutritious food and essentials. Seeing the impact these kits had on recipients was a reminder of why community outreach remains at the heart of PCOM’s mission.”
PCOM kicked off the campaign with alum Zach Murphy (MS ‘15) —widely known as Youtube sensation Ninja Nerd—for an event at a local Fresh Grocer. Murphy surprised shoppers with kits and explained how its contents could support their well-being during the holiday and coming winter season.
Throughout the remainder of December, patients at PCOM’s Healthcare Centers received kits, in addition to residents from other PCOM community partners—including Methodist Services, Ward Emmanuel AME Church, City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier of the Third District, and Overbrook West Neighbors (OWN).
Among these recipients was Asia Stanford, a West Philadelphia resident who was one of the 75 patients across PCOM’s three community Healthcare Centers who received kits in December. She has been coming to PCOM’s Lancaster Avenue Healthcare Center all her life for care. Her mother first brought her, and now, as a mom to her three children, she does the same. She said the $125 in grocery support is "very meaningful to me because I have a family I'm providing for this Christmas. It helps a lot."
Paige Syndnor, a West Philadelphia native and single mother of three, was one of the many local residents who received kits at Tustin Recreation Center, a gift she said she would never forget.
“I have never received something like this in my life,” Paige shared upon receiving the Health-Aid Kit. “Being a single mom is hard. I work every day and still struggle to provide for my kids, so this box really means so much to me and my family.”
Sharing in Paige’s sentiment was Stella Allen, a fellow West Philadelphia resident and grandmother of three, who became emotional when opening her kit. “I’m completely floored by this. It is a true blessing from God,” she said in tears.
Last year, Stella adopted her three grandchildren in hopes of giving them a better life. She said she can make that happen because of the community’s support. “I wanted to do right by them,” she shared. “They get good grades, have good morals, and deserve to have a good Christmas, so I’m thankful I will be able to do that now.”
PCOM President and CEO Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81, closed out the campaign the week of Founder’s Day by presenting one of the final kits to a long-time patient at Hassman Family Medicine Center.
“Thank you to everyone who contributed to this extraordinary milestone,” he said, reflecting on the experience. “Together, we celebrate a legacy of care and compassion that will guide us into the next 125 years.”
Established in 1899, 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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