UPDATES
FAMILY MEDICINE AT PCOM GETS A MAJOR MAKEOVER It’s little wonder more patients are flocking to Family Medicine at PCOM and then raving about their experiences online. Highlights of the $3.5 million renovation and expansion project that more than tripled the size of the facility footprint include a spacious and comfortable waiting room, 15 examination rooms, a psychology office, a preceptor room, a lab and a phlebotomy room where patients can get blood drawn without the need to make an additional appointment. “Family Medicine at PCOM embodies the College’s mission,” says Stephen Castellano, chief practice operations officer. “We provide patients in the Philadelphia community with access to quality health care despite social inequity.” At the same time, the healthcare center provides an unparalleled clinical training site for PCOM students. At the center, DO, physician assistant, pharmacy and behavioral health students learn in a hands-on, interprofessional medical environment. “PCOM physicians teach and practice compassion and service as essential components of being a healthcare professional,” says Mr. Castellano. Beyond the spacious layout, new flooring, lighting and soothing ambience, the new vybe urgent care center, located only steps away, is sure to create a surge in clinical service activity, which Mr. Castellano expects will grow by 25 to 30 percent. Mr. Castellano calls the union of urgent care and primary care a “synergistic relationship” where vybe—which has nearly a dozen urgent care centers throughout the Philadelphia region—will refer walk-in patients to PCOM for follow-up care, to identify a primary care provider and for chronic care management. Mr. Castellano says physicians and staff are excited about their fresh workspace. “There’s a new energy among staff,” he says.
DR. KENDORSKI NAMED TO APA BOARD Jessica Glass Kendorski, PhD, chair of School Psychology programs at PCOM, was elected to the American Psychological Association’s (APA) Board of Educational Affairs (BEA). Dr. Kendorski was selected from a national applicant pool and will serve a three-year term in this position. The BEA—an oversight board for educational policy at all levels, from early childhood education to higher education— is committed to diversity in education and training in all of its activities and initiatives. Dr. Kendorski will work closely with the other BEA members to recommend educational policy for the APA to their board of directors and their council of representatives. “I am very excited to begin this journey serving the APA and the BEA,” says Dr. Kendorski. “I feel very strongly about educational policy and standards, and I look forward to embracing this opportunity fully.”
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PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
