PERSPECTIVES:
THE DO STUDENT GUIDE TO THE PCOM COMMUNITY
FIRST EDITION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction.............................................................. 5
Cafeteria.......................................................... 39
Interview Day............................................................ 7
Osteopathic Medicine ............................................. 9
Student Life............................................................ 43
Academics.............................................................. 11
Student Affairs................................................. 45
DO Curriculum................................................. 13
DO Council...................................................... 45
M1/M2 curriculum ........................................... 14
Clubs/Extracurriculars...................................... 47
M3/M4 curriculum ........................................... 17
Community Service.......................................... 48
Boards.............................................................. 19
Global Health Initiative ................................... 49
Residency......................................................... 21
DO Clinical Mentor Program .......................... 51
Research .......................................................... 23
PASS Mentor Program .................................... 51
Dual degree programs .................................... 25
Workstudy ....................................................... 53
Campus.................................................................. 27
Off Campus Life...................................................... 55
Lecture Halls ................................................... 29
Anatomy Lab ................................................... 31
Food ................................................................ 59
OMM Lab ........................................................ 33
Transportation.................................................. 59
O.J. Snyder Memorial Library.......................... 35
Michael and Wendy Salzburg
Conclusion.............................................................. 61
Clinical Learning and Assessment Center........ 37
Activities Center............................................... 41
Housing ........................................................... 57
Fun in Philly ..................................................... 59
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INTRODUCTION
Dear Prospective DO Student: Congratulations on receiving your invitation to interview for the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program! Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine receives more than 10,000 primary applications per year to fill only 270 seats. You should feel proud to be one of the select few invited to our campus for a personal interview! It goes without saying that making the choice to go to medical school is a very big decision. However, we intend to provide you the resources to make this decision a simple one. On interview day, you will have the opportunity to interact with various members of the PCOM community. Fully take advantage of the resources and tools available to you. It is our goal to provide you with the best on-campus experience to help you envision yourself in the role of a PCOM medical student. To aid you in your interview day experience, Perspectives: The DO Student Guide to the PCOM Community has been provided to you. This guide was created by PCOM DO students for the purpose of answering some of your questions and serving as a resource to you throughout the application cycle. Having personally experienced the medical school admissions process, we understand the questions and concerns you may have. We also recognize you may be interested in the daily life of a medical student and knowing what sets PCOM apart from other schools. Or perhaps you are simply nervous for your interview and need some last-minute tips or a helping hand. We have you covered! We hope that as you prepare for your interview you find Perspectives to be useful. Please feel free to e-mail us at ambassadors@pcom.edu if you have any additional questions about student life at PCOM or information in Perspectives that are unrelated to your personal application. We look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to our community! To Your Continued Success, PCOM DO Ambassadors PERSPECTIVES: STUDENT VIEWS ON LIFE AT PCOM
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INTERVIEW DAY
We are excited to have you on campus for your Interview Day! If you are driving to campus you can park in our parking garage. When you get to the entrance, click the red button to open the gate and find a parking spot (the first few floors have reserved parking, you may have to drive up a few levels to find a spot). If you are parking in the garage, make sure you get your parking voucher from the admissions office after your interview so you are able to exit free of charge. When you arrive on campus, follow the signs for Evans Hall. First, you will check in at the security desk located in the lobby (don’t forget to bring your ID) and then will have a seat until a member of the admissions staff comes out to greet you. Try to take this time to relax and observe students and faculty as you will not be interviewing for at least a few hours. It is not uncommon for students to talk to you or wish you good luck while you are waiting! Feel free to take advantage of that and ask them any questions you may have. An admissions staff member will greet you in the lobby and bring you into the admissions office. After checking in and filling out a few forms, the admissions staff will go over the agenda for the day. As interviews are scheduled both in the morning and the afternoon, your specific schedule will be determined by the interview time. While the order of events may vary, everyone will receive a tour of campus and get to eat either breakfast or lunch. The campus tours are given by us, the DO Ambassadors. We will also be eating breakfast/lunch with you, along with an admissions staff member or a faculty member. During this time, you will have the opportunity to ask us any questions you might have and get both a student and faculty perspective on life at PCOM. Each of these events will last approximately one hour. After eating and going on a tour of campus, you will then head back to the admissions office for an inside look at OMM at PCOM. You will then have your interview. The interviews are individual and run by two or three people consisting of: an admissions staff member, faculty member, physician, or a third or fourth year medical student. During the interview you will be asked a series of standard questions. The interviewers may or may not ask additional follow up questions. While the interview questions are constantly changing, their purpose remains the same. All aspects of your application have been thoroughly reviewed and the fact you were offered an interview means you have clearly demonstrated your merit on paper. Now the goal is to get to know you on a more personal level! The interview is “conversational” in nature and the admissions team wants to determine if you are a good fit for PCOM and more importantly, if PCOM is the right fit for you!
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OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE
Osteopathic Medicine can be thought of in two regards: the overall philosophy and the actual manual therapy. Dr. Andrew Taylor Still developed the philosophical approach to Osteopathic Medicine in the late 19th century. An advanced thinker for his time, Dr. Still conceptualized many of the aspects of physiology and health that are readily accepted today. His philosophy is most often embodied in the four tenants:
The person is a unit of mind, body, and spirit. The body has the capacity for self-regulation, self-maintenance, and self-healing. Structure and function are reciprocally interrelated in the body. Any rational treatment should be based upon an understanding of the first three tenants. In respect to therapeutic modalities, Osteopathic Physicians are trained in and may be licensed in all the practices of western medical and surgical training. In addition, they are also trained in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, which is a hands-on manual therapy aimed at restoring strength and balance while reducing tissue restrictions in the body. Ultimately, the objective of Osteopathic Manipulative Therapy is to utilize physical adjustments of the musculoskeletal systems to minimize pain and promote fluid dynamics, thereby facilitating the body’s inherent capacity for the self regulation, maintenance and healing.
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ACADEMICS
DO CURRICULUM The DO curriculum functions on a trimester system. Each trimester is thirteen weeks followed by a one-week break in between each term. Additional breaks occur for the winter and New Year holidays in December and during the summer between M1 and M2. The first two terms of the M1 curriculum are composed of courses with an emphasis in the basic sciences. The first term focuses on the structure of the human body and the second term begins to explore the function of the human body on both a
cellular and molecular level. The last term marks the beginning of a clinical systems approach to learning medicine. All preclinical courses will continue in this format through the end of second year. Each of the clinical systems courses is structured in a similar format. Each course begins with a review of the foundational anatomy and physiology learned in the basic science courses followed by the relevant pathophysiology, microbiology, and pharmacology, as it relates to clinical practice.
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MEDICAL YEAR 1 M1T1: AUG. – NOV.
SPOM
OPP-I
PCS-I
M1T2: NOV. – FEB.
CMBM
OPP-II
M1T3: FEB. – JUN.
PCS-II
CRP
OPP-III
PCS-III
EMED-I
CRIBS-I
M1/M2 CURRICULUM
STRUCTURAL PRINCIPLES OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE (SPOM):
This course explores the structure and function of the human body at the gross, microscopic, and molecular levels. The class integrates developmental, histological, radiological, and anatomical concepts through preclinical lectures and gross anatomy dissection lab. Five to six students per lab group dissect a cadaver to apply the fundamentals learned in the classroom to real life. Additionally, students are required to participate in case presentations which provide further correlation of these concepts to clinical scenarios.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR BASIS OF MEDICINE (CMBM):
This course explores concepts that are fundamental to understanding pathological changes to normal structure/ function relationships between cells, tissues, and organs. The course is organized into blocks focusing on clinical pharmacology, medical biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, and hematology/oncology.
CARDIOLOGY/RENAL/PULMONOLOGY (CRP)
This course introduces the systems-based approach to learning medicine. In this term, students learn the foundational physiology and histology of the heart, kidney, and lungs. The course then builds upon this foundational knowledge looking at the pathophysiologic changes that occur in these systems along with the related microbiology and pharmacology. Several simulations and morning report sessions are incorporated in this course.
care, fluid maintenance, hemodynamics, surgical instrumentation, and otolaryngology. Hands-on learning is heavily emphasized via utilization of surgical simulators and ultrasound training.
REPRODUCTIVE/GYNECOLOGY/UROLOGY (RGU) This course is designed to integrate the basic science and clinical aspects of Urology, Obstetrics and Gynecology. Students learn the general principles of diagnosis and management of disorders associated with these systems. The first two thirds of the class focus on OB/GYN and the remaining third on Urology.
CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY
This course provides students with a fundamental knowledge of endocrinology. This course focuses heavily on understanding the general physiology of the endocrine system in order to appreciate the pathophysiological changes that occur. Students learn the clinical manifestations of endocrine diseases, including metabolic disorders, vitamin and nutritional disturbances, diabetes, lipid disorders and metabolic bone disease. Additionally, there is a strong emphasis on the pharmacologic principles utilized in the treatment of these diseases.
MUSCULOSKELETAL SKIN I-II (MSS):
CLINICAL GASTROENTEROLOGY (GI)
This course presents students with clinical lectures in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of diseases affecting the musculoskeletal system and the skin. The first half of the course covers clinical dermatology looking at the pathology and microbiology of skin conditions in conjunction with the appropriate pharmacologic therapy utilized in treatment. The second half of the courses covers clinical rheumatology and orthopaedics focusing on the anatomy, physiology, immunology, pathology, and pharmacology related to these systems.
GENERAL SURGERY AND EAR/NOSE/ THROAT (SEENT)
This course focuses on the structure and function of the nervous system as it is related clinically to neurology, psychiatry, and neurosurgery. During this course, students will also attend the annual PCOM Neurosurgery Symposium and will have the opportunity to learn neurosurgical skills alongside attending physicians and residents from PCOM’s Neurosurgery program.
This course marks the start of second year and begins with a review of the basic anatomy and physiology of the digestive system. The course then explores the pathophysiological changes that occur with GI disorders, while relating the microbiology and pharmacology related to these diseases. Students have the opportunity to utilize an endoscopy simulator and morning report sessions are incorporated into the curriculum.
This course covers the basic principles of surgery and important concepts such as pre-operative
CLINICAL BASIS OF NEUROSCIENCE (CBN)
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MEDICAL YEAR 2 M2T2: NOV. – FEB.
M2T1: AUG. – NOV.
GI
RGU
SEENT
OPP-IV
PCS-IV
PCBM-I
ENDO
MSS
CBN
OPP-V
PCS-V
PCBM-II
CBSRS
M2T3: FEB. – MAY
LIFE STAGES
OPP-VI
PCS-VI
CLINICAL LIFE STAGES: PEDIATRICS/GERIATRICS
This is one of the final courses you will take during your pre-clinical years. This course brings together the clinical material previously learned in other courses and applies it with respect to the pediatric and geriatric patient populations.
PREVENTATIVE / COMMUNITY BASED MEDICINE I-III (PCBM)
This course focuses on concepts in medical ethics, evidence-based medicine, health policy, medical law, biostatistics and public health. Students attend biweekly problem-based learning (PBL) small-group sessions where they discuss various topics presented in class.
EMERGENCY MEDICINE I - II (EMED)
EMED I and II are taken in the spring of the first and second years. This course focuses on the practical skills essential in responding to an emergency situation. At the conclusion of these courses, students will be ACLS/ BLS and CPR certified, all of which are required for the majority of hospital systems.
PRIMARY CARE SKILLS I - VI (PCS)
During the first year, students attend primary care skills lab where they learn physical exam skills including: vital signs, head, ears, eyes, nose, and throat (HEENT), cardiac, respiratory, abdominal, musculoskeletal, neurological, and peripheral vascular exams. During the second year, students will learn how to perform the male genitalia and female gynecologic exams. Students learn how to write SOAP notes and are regularly assessed on their notewriting and case presentation skills. Physical exam skills are assessed through standardized patient encounters. Students are also required to participate in several shadowing opportunities throughout their first year and complete their first H&P on a real hospital patient during their second year.
EMED-II
CRIBS-II
CBSRS COMLEX LEVEL 1
OSTEOPATHIC PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICE I-VI (OPP/OMM)
Students learn the fundamentals of Osteopathic medicine through lectures and weekly lab sessions (1.5 hours per week). In lab, students are quizzed on the techniques taught in previous classes, and then learn several new techniques. Students have two lab practical exams per term where they are expected to diagnose their partners and treat them with the techniques practiced in class. Students also have a midterm quiz and a final written exam to reinforce the concepts taught in both lecture and lab.
CLINICAL REASONING IN BASIC SCIENCE I - II (CRIBS)
Students are assigned a random clinical case at the beginning of the year. They are then required to attend 2-5 case presentations given by clinicians and write response papers on how the information presented by the clinician is relevant to their assigned clinical case. During Term 3 of the first and second years, students work in groups of 5-6 and present their clinical case to a panel of faculty members and physicians. Students are expected to incorporate the basic sciences and clinical knowledge learned from the preclinical years to present differential diagnoses focusing on the relevant anatomy, physiology, pathology, and pharmacology.
COMPREHENSIVE BASIC SCIENCE REVIEW AND SYNTHESIS I-II (CBSRS)
This course begins during Term 2 of the second year. You will be provided access to Trulearn’s COMBANK, a COMLEX-oriented board question bank, and will be required to complete a certain number of questions weekly in order to prepare for boards. Beginning in Term 3, you will be required to complete questions daily before you sit for your COMLEX exam.
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MEDICAL YEAR 3 AND 4 JUNE AFTER M2T3
I2C
Clinical Clerkships
COMLEX LEVEL 2
GRADUATION
M3/M4 CURRICULUM After completion of the first two preclinical years of medical school and the board(s), students then move on to their clinical clerkships. Before heading out to “the real world” however, students will spend the month of June following their second year in a “home rotation” called Introduction to Clerkships or I2C. This course is designed to teach and practice many of the hands-on skills that will be required on rotations. Thanks to I2C, PCOM students have a “head-start” on honing their clinical abilities and are thus received in a more favorable manner by their clerkship attending physicians and residents. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine does not have its own “home” hospital, but it is instead partnered with numerous hospitals in the region. Through these means, our school offers two pathways to complete your clinical training: Traditional Rotating J-Groups and the Core Clinical Campus model.
J-Group or Junior Group rotations allow thirdyear students to learn in different departments of different hospital systems for each core rotation. For example, you could have Surgery at Christiana Care, but have Internal Medicine at Roxborough Memorial Hospital. The Core Clinical Campus model allows students to remain in a single hospital system for all of their third-year core rotations. Regardless of which “path” you choose to take, PCOM provides you with excellent hospitals, resources and clinical teachers along the way! The J-Groups and CCC models carry students through M3 but M4 is much more independent with electives and audition-rotations. There are an abundance of electives in the fourth year to allow students to explore their own interests and audition at hospitals of their choosing.
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NATIONAL LICENSURE EXAMINATIONS (BOARD EXAMS) As osteopathic medical students, we must successfully complete several tests or “steps” of COMLEX in order to achieve our DO degree. The COMLEX exams are a product of the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners (NBOME) and the first step is completed at the end of the second year. This test covers materials presented throughout the entirety of the first two pre-clinical years of medical school. The second and third steps are then completed in M3/M4 and post-grad years respectively and are much more clinically focused.
“teaching-to-the-test”, but rather are preparing us for clinical rotations as well.
In order to prepare us for these national exams, PCOM tailors its coursework from day one to be applicable and useful. In addition to these “core” classes and lessons, PCOM also provides many clinically oriented lectures so that they are not solely
While DO students are only required to pass COMLEX 1, COMLEX 2 CE, and COMLEX 2 PE in order to graduate, many students choose to take USMLE as well.
In regard to preparation, while courses run until the end of Term 3 of the second year there is a focus shift midway through Term 2 designed to incorporate exercises in the curriculum to aid in preparation for COMLEX. This is achieved through the Comprehensive Basic Science Review and Synthesis course (CBSRS) that utilizes COMBANK, a practice question bank, and practice exams to begin honing test-taking skills and identifying gaps in knowledge.
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RESIDENCY PCOM DO graduates are accepted into a variety of residencies—both osteopathic and allopathic. Fifty-five percent choose one of the primary care specialties including general practice, general internal medicine, OB/GYN and pediatrics. Recent graduates also matched in different specialties that include: anesthesiology, dermatology, emergency medicine, general surgery, neurological surgery, neurology, ophthalmology, orthopedic surgery, otolaryngology and facial plastic surgery, pathology, physical medicine & rehab, psychiatry, radiologydiagnostic, urological surgery, urology and more. Click here to view our most recent match list.
PCOM offers residency and fellowship training in the following specialties: • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Family Medicine General Surgery Geriatrics Hospice and Palliative Medicine Internal Medicine Neuromusculoskeletal Medicine Neurosurgery Ophthalmology Orthopedic Surgery Otolaryngology Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Surgical Critical Care Vascular Surgery
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RESEARCH
Research is an integral part of PCOM as many faculty members lead original projects in various biomedical subjects. Thus, there are a multitude of opportunities available for students that are interested in research to find an investigative role on campus. Students can either work throughout the school year or over the summer between first and second year. Although there are some positions funded through work-study, several faculty members will offer volunteer positions if they have already filled their work-study slots. Each lab usually consists of one faculty member, a research assistant, and a few second year biomedical sciences students that are working on their required
theses. Work hours are dependent on your schedule and what exactly the faculty researcher requires. If there are more students involved with a certain lab it usually translates to less hours per person. During the beginning of the third trimester of M1 there is a research meeting where all of the positions are presented and discussed. From that point, students are then able to apply according to what the faculty researchers need and desire. Information about current faculty researchers and projects can be found by clicking here!
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DUAL DEGREE PROGRAMS PCOM offers a number of joint degree programs. Click here to view specific information about each program. •
DO/Master of Business Administration (MBA)
•
DO/Master of Public Health (MPH)
•
DO/MS in Mental Health Counseling
•
DO/MS/PhD in Health Policy
•
DO/MS in Forensic Medicine
•
DO/MS in Organizational Development and Leadership
•
DO/Business Certificate
•
DO/PhD in Molecular Biology
•
DO/Clinical Masters (MSc)
•
OMM Clinical Scholars Program
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CAMPUS
LECTURE HALLS
The DO program utilizes two main auditoriums in Evans Hall for all lecture-based classes. The Rose K. Ginsberg Amphitheater is utilized for first-year classes and Zedeck Family Amphitheater holds all of the second-year classes. Each lecture hall offers two large projection screens at the front of the room and several smaller flat screens are dispersed throughout the room to view the lecturer’s presentation materials. Lectures are recorded via a software called Tegrity and are uploaded online about an hour after the conclusion of the presentation. These video recordings can be slowed down or sped up to fit the individual needs of each student. Every DO Class also employs paid student scribes to take detailed notes of each lecture. These “professional” notes are accessible online to all students who have paid their class dues. Tegrity recordings and scribe notes can always be accessed through our Blackboard site, which also contains all class materials such as course information, syllabi, powerpoints, and handouts. Exams are generally scheduled every two to three weeks and the number of questions per exam is based off of the number of lecture hours. Typically for each hour of lecture, a professor will submit three questions for the exam. All exams are computerbased via a testing program called Examsoft and all tests are proctored in the lecture halls. The rationale
behind computerized testing is that our national licensure exams (boards) are computer-based, so PCOM utilizes this method to acclimate its students to the technological interface. It also simplifies the exam process for everyone—both faculty and students. Since this digital platform is the standard of examinations at PCOM, you will be required to have your own laptop/tablet that is Examsoft compatible. Most new computers are indeed compatible, but various operating system requirements can be found by clicking here. Lectures typically are not mandatory, with some exceptions. Patient Perspectives are an important feature of the curriculum in which patients describe their personal experiences living with specific medical conditions. These are an invaluable learning experience that provide a real life correlation to the pathology being learned in the classroom. Due to their sensitive nature and to maintain patient confidentiality, Patient Perspectives are not recorded and complete attendance is required by all students. In contrast to standard lectures, all labs and small group learning activities are always mandatory. PCOM offers a tremendous amount of flexibility so that students can learn in a manner that is most conducive to both their lifestyle and study habits.
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ANATOMY LAB
The anatomy lab is located on the 6th floor of Evans Hall and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The lab spans the entire length of the building, which allows all 270 DO students to occupy the space at the same time during the anatomy portion of SPOM. There are approximately fifty cadavers that are donated to the school via the Humanity Gifts Registry. In addition, PCOM also offers the largest plastinated (preserved) collection in Philadelphia, which serves as an invaluable learning tool and helps to demonstrate the vast diversity that occurs in the human body. Students are divided into groups of 5-6 and are responsible for all aspects of the dissection process from start to finish (these are NOT prosected)! Faculty members, both PhDs and DOs, are present during lab hours to assist and tutors are available in the evening hours.
After completion of the DO students’ SPOM course, the same cadavers are then utilized throughout the academic year by other PCOM programs (biomedical science, forensic medicine, etc). DO students have the unique opportunity to volunteer as TAs for these programs, which is a great way to refresh their knowledge of anatomy (and make a little extra money). At the conclusion of the year, the bodies are cremated and returned to their families at the Celebration of Remembrance Ceremony in center city. Many PCOM students attend and participate in this ceremony, along with students from all of Philadelphia’s medical schools, to pay our respects to the individuals that will always be remembered as our “first patients”.
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OMM LAB
The Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Lab is located on the first floor of Evans Hall. This room is used for the lab portion of our Osteopathic Principles and Practice course. Each term, the class is broken into quarters and we have OMM Lab for 1.5 hours each week. Students are broken into small groups of 8-10 and each group is assigned an attending, resident, or OMM Scholar to assist students in the day’s techniques. A faculty member will introduce the techniques to entire group at the front of the room and students can observe on the TV screens throughout the lab. Students then practice the techniques on each other in their small groups. There
are two lab practical exams per term, which assess the techniques taught in the previous labs. The required attire for OMM Lab is shorts, t-shirts, and sports bras for girls and shorts and t-shirts for guys. It is important to note you will be required to remove your t-shirt when completing techniques involving the back, chest, and abdomen. It is necessary for training purposes to have these areas exposed, but only when your partner is performing the techniques on you. Should you choose to matriculate at PCOM you will need to agree to this as indicated in our Technical Standards.
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O.J. SNYDER MEMORIAL LIBRARY
The O.J. Snyder Memorial Library, located in Evans Hall, is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. All required course textbooks are available on reserve at the circulation desk for short-term sign out. The circulation desk also provides a variety of other study tools, like whiteboards and markers, headphones, and computer chargers. The library website provides free or discounted access to PDF versions of most textbooks and other useful online resources, like e-journals, board prep materials, and interactive study
tools. There are several computer banks throughout the library, a larger computer lab on the 2nd floor, and two sets of laser printers. Your student ID card comes loaded with $50 of PaperCut printing credits. PaperCut allows students to send documents from their personal computers to on-campus printers. The library layout provides study environments for all types of learners, including several private study rooms and a large silent study area on the second floor.
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DR. MICHAEL AND WENDY SALTZBURG CLINICAL LEARNING & ASSESSMENT CENTER (CLAC)
The Dr. Michael and Wendy Saltzburg Clinical Learning & Assessment Center was opened in 2014. It is a state of the art 11,000-square-foot facility that is located on the fourth floor of Rowland Hall. The CLAC contains 15 fully functioning exam rooms that are utilized for standardized patient encounters. DO students see two standardized patients per term so that they have several opportunities to practice their primary care skills on live patients. Each room is equipped with cameras so that students can watch their performance online and self-evaluate throughout their training. There is also a computer lab where students type their notes following their patient encounters in order to improve upon their documentation skills and prepare them to utilize Electronic Medical Records (EMR) on their third and fourth year rotations.
simulators, and task trainers that are available to PCOM students from your first day! Many institutions do not allow M1/M2’s to utilize their simulators, but PCOM encourages all students to take advantage of this amazing technology! Many student organizations use these resources for training sessions with clinical faculty members and there are always individuals available to train students in the Simulation Center. These same simulators are actively incorporated into the DO curriculum during the Gastroenterology, Reproductive-Genitourinary, Endocrinology, and Surgery courses. Additionally, attending physicians and residents also come to the CLAC to practice on our simulators and gain proficiency to utilize them in their practice.
In addition to exam rooms, one of the major highlights of the CLAC is the Simulation Center. The CLAC offers an ICU/CCU/Medical Surgery Suite, ER/ Trauma Bay and an OR which are designed to create an extremely realistic experience for all users. These areas contain numerous robotic simulators, virtual
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CAFETERIA
The cafeteria is open Monday-Thursday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The cafeteria serves a rotating weekly menu with a variety of options, including hot breakfasts, daily-featured entrees, a salad bar, a deli, a coffee bar, and more. The adjoining dining area is open
24 hours a day, including weekends. Many students and organizations utilize this space for studying and holding club meetings. It also has refrigerators and microwaves, making it convenient to bring, store, and heat your own food.
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ACTIVITIES CENTER
The PCOM activities center is a well-equipped 55,000-square-foot facility that opened its doors to the PCOM community in 1999. The center is available for use by PCOM students, employees and staff throughout the year while guests are able to utilize the facility for a fee. Not only do we have strength training and cardiovascular equipment, but there is also an exercise studio where students and faculty run fitness classes on a daily basis.. In addition to the exercise area, the activities center is also equipped with a golf simulator, ping-pong tables, racquetball courts and much more. The PCOM activities center’s indoor basketball court recently underwent renovation and provide a great area for games amongst students and faculty in both basketball and volleyball. In the warmer months, the roof deck is open and provides not only an additional study space with
outdoor tables and benches, but is also an area for deck hockey and basketball. Furthermore, the roof deck delivers a spectacular skyline view of the city of Philadelphia, which makes it an impressive space. Also supported by the PCOM activities center are intramural sports leagues that include but are not limited to: basketball, soccer, flag football, volleyball, and hockey. The intramural leagues are open to all students within the PCOM community and provide a phenomenal opportunity to meet students from other programs and classes. In addition to the intramural leagues, club teams are also accessible for those who wish compete with local leagues. A member of the PCOM athletic and recreation staff organizes both the intramural and club sports. The staff is extremely knowledgeable and available to assist the PCOM community with all of its fitness, athletic, and recreational needs.
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STUDENT LIFE
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STUDENT AFFAIRS
The Office of Student Affairs provides a variety of support services to enable students to reach their personal and professional goals. Located in Evans Hall, Student Affairs is accessible throughout the year by appointment or on a drop-in basis. For incoming students, this is an extraordinary resource for frequently asked questions and helps provide insight into life at PCOM. The staff is integral in providing academic support, such as facilitating peer mentoring, providing workshops on stress management, and assisting students requiring specific accommodations. The office also provides a comprehensive suite of career support services to assist students in reaching their goals after graduation. This includes providing individualized support during third and fourth year, including personalized residency applications and interview support services. For more information about Student Affairs, click here.
DO COUNCIL
The PCOM DO Council is the student government body representing all osteopathic medical students at the Philadelphia Campus. We are one of five councils in PCOM’s Student Government Association (SGA), composed of students from all four current classes. We work closely with PCOM faculty and administration to advocate for students and our community. We have committees that address the DO curriculum and clinical education, global health, student wellness, legislation and health policy, research, community service, and more. We also represent PCOM osteopathic medical students at the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA), the American Osteopathic Association (AOA), and the American Association of College of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM)’s Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP). For more information about DO Council, click here or email docouncil@pcom.edu.
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STUDENT CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
There are over 60 student organizations at PCOM, ranging from intramural sports leagues to medical specialty interest groups. These clubs sponsor many campus events including guest speakers, case presentations, residency program information sessions, and clinical skills workshops. Several clubs also facilitate off-campus learning opportunities including physician shadowing, grand rounds, and morning report sessions in their specialties. Below are some specific examples of club events: The Robert Berger Pediatrics Society hosts a talent show each year to benefit the Philadelphia Make-AWish chapter. The club has been hosting this event for several years and has raised over $50,000! Students and faculty display their various talents and attendees bid on their favorite acts to raise money for this great cause. The Wisely Surgical Association hosts the annual Philadelphia Surgical Conference for medical students from the Philadelphia region to join together for a day of workshops and networking. This conference is a perfect way to begin developing clinical skills that will be required on third and fourth year rotations! Students learn how to suture, cast, place IVs, run a code, use a surgical simulator, and much more. After attending this event, students
often feel more prepared to make a positive impression in their clinical training and evaluations. Internal Medicine and Family Medicine clubs offer monthly “Cases and Coffee” presentations. Clinical faculty and/or second-year students conduct presentations that provide clinical correlations to relevant topics in the DO curriculum. PCOM strives to incorporate active learning and encourages students to attend and participate in clinically oriented activities. Emergency Medicine Club runs a weekly simulation lab in the CLAC where M3/M4/residents recreate interesting cases encountered during their experiences in the emergency room. These cases aren’t “presented” traditionally; instead, M1 and M2 students actively work through the case as a team. Groups of 5-6 students run the case on the simulator mannequins with each student performing a different emergency role. The students who aren’t involved at the moment are verbally tested and are expected to offer advice to the team at hand. These simulation labs are an excellent introduction to clinical training! No matter what you are interested in, there is definitely a student organization for you here at PCOM! For a complete list of all of our clubs, check out MyPCOMLife.
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COMMUNITY SERVICE As an Osteopathic Medical School, PCOM is both passionate and dedicated to serving the greater Philadelphia community! Faculty and students partake in numerous service projects throughout the year to give back to our local region in various capacities. This is accomplished through student-run clubs, each of which is required to complete at least two community service outreaches per year, and other on-campus organizations.
HEALTH EDUCATION MENTOR PROGRAMS
One of the ways we try to better ourselves as future providers at PCOM is through community outreach programs. We believe it is important to establish ties to our community as early as possible and give the community resources to learn about their health and wellness. There are multiple programs that run through PCOM which specifically offer mentorship to young adults in the greater Philadelphia area. Medical students are dedicated to forming relationships with these young adults and helping them pave their way through high school, college, and even into a career in the field of health care.
STUDENT-RUN CLINIC
The Student-Run Clinic is a recent student initiative in conjunction with PCOM’s Family Medicine faculty, working to serve patients at Episcopal Community Services-St. Barnabas Mission. Students work with faculty to serve as educators, healthcare providers, and
most importantly, advocates for the women currently housed at the St. Barnabas shelter. The Philadelphia Office of Homeless Services refers families experiencing housing instability and homelessness to St. Barnabas Mission for temporary, transitional housing on their path to more permanent and stable arrangements. While the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia provides free healthcare for the children, in-house medical care for the women was not previously available despite the strong need for these services. Under the supervision of attending physicians, preclinical students are partnered with third and fourth year students to provide in-house preventative and primary care. Students gain hands-on clinical experience early in their medical education, while also addressing barriers to quality healthcare within the community. After the attending decides on a treatment plan, students partner with the women and local community healthcare centers, such as Lankenau and PCOM, to meet those goals. Students coordinate educational programming for women and their children to better prepare them to participate fully in their healthcare. The student-run clinic is a unique opportunity to practice patient-centered care and advocate for an underserved community in West Philadelphia. For additional information, please email pcomstudentrunclinic@gmail.com.
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GLOBAL HEALTH INITIATIVE
The Global Health Initiative (GHI) was formed as a student organization to help medical students pursue international clinical experiences. Throughout the school year, GHI host educational panels and community outreach events focused on major topics in global health. These events include presentations by PCOM faculty, community organizations, and professors from nearby universities. GHI aims to work with students across PCOM’s academic programs, as well as with faculty and staff, to continue to expand globally focused educational opportunities. One of our main projects is organizing an international service trip for medical students during the summer between first and second year. GHI also assists third and fourth year medical students who wish to pursue an international clinical rotation. By partnering with the PCOM clinical education office, GHI helps students coordinate and complete the steps required to study internationally. Currently, GHI has a formal affiliation with Child Family Health International, which is a nonprofit organization that has over 30 programs in 10 countries. GHI is also continuously working to find scholarships and other financial resources for students to make the possibility of an international experience become a reality. Overall, GHI hopes to shape tomorrow’s globally conscious physicians through a multitude of exciting events and opportunities. For more information about PCOM’s Global Health Initiative, visit our website or email ghi@pcom.edu.
TOUCH PROGRAM
The Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents’ TOUCH Program, which stands for Translating Osteopathic Understanding into Community Health, is a national program recognized by all osteopathic medical schools. TOUCH aims to increase awareness of osteopathic medicine in the local, national, and global community through the basic tenet of service. Through this program, students are able to log their community service hours and receive recognition for their efforts. Students who complete over 50 TOUCH hours per year receive Silver-level recognition, and students who complete over 100 TOUCH hours per year are awarded Gold-level recognition. This is noted on the student’s Dean’s Letter, included in their residency applications. These awards are recognized on a national level and are highly regarded by AOA residency programs. For more information about the TOUCH program, click here or email touchprogram@pcom.edu.
SIGMA SIGMA PHI HONORS FRATERNITY
Sigma Sigma Phi is a National Osteopathic Honors Fraternity, founded on the principle of community service. The fraternity accepts members based on leadership experience, academic excellence, and history of serving others. SSP promotes a higher degree of fellowship among students and encourages scholastic achievement to positively impact the PCOM community and the greater Philadelphia area. Sigma Sigma Phi seeks to recruit potential members who represent this philosophy. It is these individuals, who give of themselves and encompass the best in all of us who represent the Osteopathic Profession to the people that we serve. For more information about SSP, click here or email sspsecretary@gmail.com.
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MENTORSHIP PROGRAMS
DO CLINICAL MENTOR PROGRAM
The DO Clinical Mentor Program is a student-led initiative that coordinates with faculty physicians to provide personal and professional guidance to first and second-year students. Physician mentors serve as an additional resource to help students successfully navigate through medical school, helping to ease the transition into first year and eventually prepare second-year students for clinical rotations. During the pre-clerkship years, students have limited opportunities to connect with a physician in a mentor-mentee capacity. Through this program, students are able to establish a meaningful relationship with a physician to help guide and encourage them during their education.
PASS MENTOR PROGRAM
The Peer Academic Support Service (PASS) Mentor Program is designed to provide support to the incoming first-year class. Second-year students serve as PASS mentors, building a relationship with their first-year mentees over the course of the academic year. PASS mentors assist with the major transition of starting medical school, serving as an academic resource as well as an emotional outlet. A typical PASS team is made up of 4 M2 students and 10-12 M1 students. Teams meet during DO Orientation Week to get to know each other and discuss the transition into the new school year. PASS mentors help prepare incoming students for the new challenges they will face in medical school, sharing valuable academic resources and advice about how to juggle such a busy schedule. Former PASS mentors and mentees often remain in touch for years to come, even after they leave for clinical clerkships and residency!
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WORK-STUDY
Medical school is a significant financial burden. However, PCOM strives to provide a variety of oncampus work-study opportunities for students who are seeking additional support. Work-study jobs range from peer tutoring, administrative positions, research in faculty labs, or working in the library.
These positions typically pay $15 per hour and are open to students who are eligible for financial aid support. We recommend waiting until after your first trimester before applying for a work-study position. A list of current work-study positions can be found by here.
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OFF-CAMPUS LIFE
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HOUSING
PCOM students have many options to choose from when deciding where to live. Many students choose to live in apartment complexes neighboring the campus, such as Lincoln Green, Presidential City, or Metropolitan Bala. These apartments are especially convenient for students who may not be planning to bring a car to Philadelphia in the first two years. Other students choose to live in nearby neighborhoods, like Roxborough, Manayunk, East Falls, and Fairmount. While these areas require more driving, they provide more in terms of nightlife and availability of affordable housing. Manayunk is a popular location for students and young professionals, with many bars and restaurants and access to the Canal Towpath, which is great for running and biking. Housing options are mostly townhouses with some apartments, and it can be
challenging to find off-street parking. Roxborough and East Falls are similar to Manayunk, with less nightlife. Housing options may be less expensive here, and residential areas are more likely to have offstreet or private parking. Fairmount is home to the world famous Philadelphia Museum of Art and about a fifteen-minute drive from campus. Housing options are similar to Manayunk, with many townhouses and apartments, but again, very little off-street parking. The Philadelphia commute can be tough, especially along I-76 (Schuykill Expressway) that runs right by campus. When considering your housing options, it is important to remember that during the morning and evening commute; your ride could be considerably longer. For example, a normally 10-minute drive from your house in Manayunk may take over 30 minutes on your way to an 8:00 am lecture!
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FOOD
FUN IN PHILLY
Philadelphia is a diverse city, with every kind of food you could imagine available. Locally, the PCOM campus is surrounded by lots of great dining options. Some student favorites include Chipotle, Jimmy John’s, Pei Wei, Panera Bread and Honeygrow (a great Philadelphia-based stir-fry and salad spot). Other nearby restaurants include Chilis, TGI Fridays, and California Pizza Kitchen. For your daily coffee fix, we have three Starbucks and a Dunkin Donuts within walking distance. The nearest grocery stores to campus are Fresh Grocer and the Acme on City Ave. Within driving distance are many other popular grocery stores, like Giant, Trader Joe’s, Aldi, and Wegmans.
Philadelphia is such an exciting and vibrant city with so much to do! During your time at PCOM, you will spend lots of time studying, but it’s great to have fun things to do when you have precious free time. Philadelphia has a wonderful dining and nightlife scene, with amazing bars and restaurants scattered throughout the city. Be sure to check out new cuisines or neighborhoods during one of the many discounted Restaurant Weeks! There are also countless food and cultural festivals throughout the city, especially during warmer weather months.
GETTING AROUND Most students choose to drive to school and park in the campus lot or parking garage. Parking passes are easily available and fairly inexpensive ($120-300 for the school year). Driving in Philadelphia can be challenging, depending on the time of day and where you are going. SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) operates buses, trains, and a subway system throughout the city. The bus system is inexpensive and can get you nearly anywhere in the city. The subway is useful for travel within Center City, while the trains and regional rail lines can get you to different neighborhoods and further out towards the suburbs. Many of the neighborhoods where students live provide easy access to public transportation. Philadelphia also has a taxi service, as well as rideshare options like Uber and Lyft. These are popular options among PCOM students.
Philadelphia is home to four major sports teams: Eagles (football), Phillies (baseball), Flyers (hockey) and 76ers (basketball). The sports stadiums are easily accessible from campus and make for a great night out! Living so close in proximity to these franchises is a huge advantage to our students because they can simply purchase tickets “the day of” for various games for much cheaper than their original listing prices! There are many museums and cultural landmarks, such as the Philadelphia Museum of Art (recreate the iconic Rocky scene), the Philadelphia Zoo (first true zoo in the US), the Franklin Institute, the Mutter Museum (a definite must-go-to place for every medical student), and the Eastern State Penitentiary (on Halloween it’s a scary blast). Last but not least, we cannot forget the birthplace of democracy: Independence Hall. Many students can’t resist getting that perfect selfie with the Liberty Bell! Philadelphia, the birthplace of American medicine, is the perfect place to train as a future physician and have a little bit of fun while you do it!
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CONCLUSION
Choosing the right path for your future is never an easy task. We hope that this Prospective Student Guide has given you a thorough introduction to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. We also hope this guide has allowed you easy access to the information you need to make an informed decision. Whatever you decide, we wish you the best in your endeavors and look forward to working with you as a colleague in the future! If we can be of any additional help please don’t forget to contact us at ambassadors@pcom.edu.
EDITORS
Joseph Schreiner (DO ’19)
Taylor Olian (DO ’19)
Fazad Mohamed (DO ’19)
Marsha L. Williams, MSEd, Associate Director of Admissions/DO Ambassador Advisor
CONTRIBUTORS
Kathrine Baldwin (DO ’19)
Courtney Martin (DO ’19)
Emily Chea (DO ’19)
Matthew Meade (DO ’20)
Robert DeJoy (DO ’19)
Christopher Mulholland (DO ’17)
Alexandra Digenakis (DO ’19)
Patrick Ottman (DO ’19)
Tejaswi Dittakavi (DO ’19)
Kathleen Pulice (DO ’20)
Emily Eshleman (DO ’19)
Diormi Rosario (DO ’19)
Danielle Estrada (DO ’20)
Sara Sabatino (MS/FM ’16)
Jaryd Frankel (DO ’19)
Kelsey Schwartz (DO ’19)
Laura Geiszler (DO ’19)
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Office of Admissions Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine 4170 City Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19131