The event raised more than $1,500 through ticket sales and an auction. Performances were pre-recorded and in-person attendees observed social distancing.
On Wednesday, March 10, the Robert Berger Pediatrics Society at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) hosted its 14th annual campus-wide talent show to benefit Make-A-Wish® Philadelphia, Delaware and Susquehanna Valley. The proceeds of the fundraiser will go towards making the wishes of children with critical illnesses come true.
“Unfortunately, due to the current COVID pandemic, non-profit organizations like Make-A-Wish, who rely on fundraising and donations, have suffered. That's why I was so determined to find a way to make this event happen. I didn't want to let them down. I was lucky to have such a supportive executive board in the Pediatrics Club to help make this happen,” shared Amanda Bond (DO `24), president of the Robert Berger Pediatrics Society.
In addition to the efforts of the Pediatrics Society, a number of PCOM community members worked hard to make the in-person event a possibility, as well as a success. Due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic, the event featured pre-recorded performances from those in the show. These performances were projected for those in attendance and those watching remotely could follow along via Zoom video conferencing. Additionally, the in-person portion of the event maintained strict social distancing and mask guidelines. In total the club raised more than $1,500 through the sale of tickets and the in-person auction, which included fun prizes like a year of free parking.
“The show this year was different from past years because the acts had to be pre-recorded and shown on the projector instead of watching them performed live. This wasn't necessarily a bad thing because it meant more creativity in the types of acts students could submit,” shared Ms. Bond. “For example, Chris Fiorina (DO `23) and Chase McKevitt (DO `23) created a stunt video that got a lot of laughs. They wouldn't have been able to create the same type of thing without recording it off site. Lauren Noto-Bell, DO, associate professor, OMM, has always been so supportive in participating in the show. We are so grateful that even though she could not perform live this year, she submitted recordings for the show. She has a beautiful voice!”
PCOM’s Robert Berger, DO, Pediatrics Society—made up of doctor of osteopathic medicine (DO), physician assistant (PA) and biomedical sciences students—brings together PCOM students interested in pursuing pediatrics. Looking to the future, Ms. Bond shared that the club plans to continue hosting the event and possibly call on other medical schools to join them.
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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