Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

For this episode, I sat down with Peter Bidey, DO, MSEd, the newly-appointed dean of the Osteopathic Medicine program. Succeeding the College's longest-tenured dean, Dr. Bidey and I discuss the history and responsibility of his new role; his vision for the program and what he hopes to achieve as dean; and how we can continue to keep important issues like diversity and mental health at the forefront of our students' educational experience. And, of course, from one Philly native to another, we discuss our favorite Philadelphia traditions. Dr. Bidey assumes his new leadership role at an exciting, but challenging precipice for the College. As we approach our 125th Anniversary, Dr. Bidey's leadership and vision for the program will guide us into the next 125 years, and I look forward to working closely with him to develop the next generation of osteopathic physicians.

For this episode, I was joined by Brian DeHaven, PhD, inaugural chief program director for the College's Biomedical Sciences program. Dr. DeHaven joined PCOM earlier this year and has an ambitious agenda for the BioMed program. He and I discuss his vision for the program and what sets PCOM apart from its peers; changes to education as a result of the pandemic and the effort to meet students where they are; and the future of graduate medical education.

For this episode, I was joined by Art Sesso, DO ‘81, interim dean of the doctor of osteopathic medicine program at PCOM and senior associate dean of osteopathic curricula innovation and accountability. Dr. Sesso and I discuss how, under his leadership, PCOM is responding to a rapidly evolving health landscape through the development of the first-in-the-nation Medical Education Center of Excellence (MECOE). This innovative approach to medical education strengthens our ability to train the next generation of osteopathic physicians and ensures our students are prepared to enter the next phase of their careers after graduation. Through the work of Dr. Sesso and others, PCOM is set up to compete well into the future. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

For this episode, I sat down with Scott Glassman, PsyD, director of PCOM's Master of Applied Positive Psychology (MAPP) program, consultant for the Family Medicine department at PCOM, and author of the book A Happier You: A Seven-Week Program to Transform Negative Thinking into Positivity and Resilience. Dr. Glassman and I discussed the unique qualities of the MAPP program, the benefits of access to the Happier You program for patients in our Healthcare Centers, and the growing movement to help people understand and learn more about the power of focusing on personal strengths and the positive side of life. PCOM has made a concerted effort to expand mental health resources for students, faculty and staff, and Dr. Glassman and I spent part of our conversation discussing the importance of building on those efforts, particularly for students. We also examined the culture of PCOM and why it continues to be a place that fosters camaraderie, collegiality and collaboration, and the broader mood of the region and what makes Philadelphia such a dynamic place to live. I hope you enjoy our conversation.

The latest episode of PCOM Perspectives, our podcast exploring news and events on campus and news of the day through the PCOM lens, is now live. This episode features a discussion with Jim Matney, CEO of Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie. Mr. Matney has been an advocate and supporter of PCOM's expansion into South Georgia since it was merely a concept. And since PCOM South Georgia began its first academic year in 2019, Mr. Matney has encouraged local community organizations and government agencies to support the mission of PCOM South Georgia. Now, in our fourth academic year in South Georgia, many of our medical students are completing their clinical clerkships at Colquitt Regional, and a handful of PCOM Georgia graduates have completed or are completing their residencies at the hospital's Georgia South Family Medicine Residency Program. During this episode, we discuss the changes that we've seen in Southwest Georgia's healthcare landscape over the last five years, what we hope to see in the future and how our partnerships are benefiting the region.

This month I sat down with Christy Finley, EdD, Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at PCOM, to discuss updates on the College's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts, including among others the launch of our student DEI certificate and the Student Diversity Diplomats program, a new initiative at PCOM Georgia to engage students in a range of diversity-related programs and events, both on campus and in the surrounding community. As laid out in our strategic plan, PCOM 2025: Path to Greater Excellence, DEI is a core component of who we are – and strive to be – as an institution. My discussion with Dr. Finley highlighted the ways in which we are working to embed DEI in our curriculum, policies, processes and practices, most notably the numerous DEI workshops available to faculty and staff throughout the year; Diversity/LGBTQIA Councils; informal colleague resource groups such as Supporting One Another as we Rise (SOAR); and the annual Opportunities Academies available on each campus location. Our College has made and continues to make great strides in our DEI efforts, but it's people that make diversity, equity and inclusion happen. This important work must be backed up by commitment and action, and through the work of Dr. Finley and so many others, we are doing just that.

This episode features a discussion with PCOM leaders Joanne Jones and Alisa Toney about the importance of being involved in the communities in which we live, work and play. Joanne, the Chief of Campus Operations at PCOM South Georgia, serves as the chair of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce. Alisa, the Senior Director of Development at PCOM, is the chair of the Leadership Gwinnett Foundation Board of Directors. In addition, she serves on the Northside Gwinnett Women' Leadership Council and on the board of the Sara J. Gonzalez Memorial Park in Atlanta. During our discussion, we talked about the steps it takes to be entrusted with community leadership opportunities and how positions like these benefit both the volunteer and the College. We also discussed how the College supports our PCOM family who volunteer in their communities through the President's Community Wellness Initiative. And I shared about some of the leadership positions I have enjoyed through the years beginning with my students days. Our students, faculty and staff members have so much to offer our communities and I appreciate and applaud your efforts. As Margaret Mead so famously said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.”

This month I sat down to discuss PCOM's clinical clerkships with Michael Becker, DO, associate dean of clinical education at PCOM and Marla Golden, DO, associate dean of clinical education at PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia. The clinical clerkship programs, led by Dr. Becker and Dr. Golden, provides third- and fourth-year Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine students with the opportunity to examine, evaluate and provide care for patients. The development of these clinical skills helps students prepare for national board examinations and, ultimately, the practice of medicine. It is because of our outstanding preceptors and faculty members that we have an array of clinical education opportunities for our students. I encourage you to take a listen to this episode as we provide tips and advice for students preparing for their clinical clerkships, look back on how clerkships have changed over the years and highlight the importance that these rotations have on our students' education and careers.

In this podcast, we focus on PCOM's Women in Medicine – both students and professionals. We've turned the table this time as one of our students serves as the host of the podcast. Join us as Victoria Troncoso, DO and Savita Arya, MD, discuss their personal role models and obstacles they've faced along their journey to becoming physicians. I will talk about how women at PCOM impact my leadership decisions, and Kate Minke (DO '25) will discuss what she most looks forward to as a woman studying to become a healthcare professional. Dr. Troncoso serves as chair of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at PCOM Georgia. Dr. Arya is a professor of pathology at PCOM South Georgia, and Kate is a member of the PCOM DO class of 2025 and the co-president of PCOM's American Medical Women's Association student chapter.

The latest episode of PCOM Perspectives, our podcast exploring news and events on campus and news of the day through the PCOM lens, is now live. I encourage you to take a listen to this episode as I speak with Jason Walker, PhD, associate professor of physiology at PCOM South Georgia about student burnout. During our time together, we discuss why so many students are experiencing burnout, how to know the difference between stress, burnout and depression and the resources PCOM provides. As the PCOM community continues to face the lasting impacts of a global pandemic, coupled with the stress of professional school, it's imperative that we keep mental health at the forefront of our minds and conversations. If you feel that you are experiencing burnout, please reach out to your campus counselor by visiting https://www.pcom.edu/student-life/student-affairs/counseling/.

In this podcast, we focus on PCOM's latest degree offering – Medical Laboratory Science. Join us as Karen Giddens, MLS, the director of the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program, and I discuss this program in depth. Karen has been a practicing medical laboratory scientist for more than 20 years. She has a wide variety of experience in the field, as well as in the academic arena During our discussion, we touch on the critical role that a medical laboratory scientist plays behind the scenes in helping to diagnose and treat patients. We discuss the wide variety of job opportunities available for a certified medical laboratory scientist, and how our program is structured for both pre-professional and post-professional students. We are excited to begin this hybrid program at PCOM Georgia this fall and are now accepting applications. To learn more, visit the pcom.edu website.

This episode features fourth year Doctor of Pharmacy students Ruth Pierre (PharmD '22) and Mahlet Wole (PharmD '22). They both completed one-month rotations at PCOM's Office of Family Medicine in Philadelphia working alongside healthcare providers and medical student colleagues. They practiced patient-facing skills, including counseling patients about their medications. They also reviewed patient prescription lists, and worked with attending physicians to ensure that patient prescription plans accurately reflected the needs of the patients. While in Philadelphia, they lived at the Meta Christy House, our new, on-campus housing. Ruth and Mahlet provided us with recommendations on how they would make this interprofessional experience even better and how pharmacy students can better prepare for this experience. They also explained how they will take this intense experience with them following graduation in May. I opined on the role I see pharmacists playing in the primary care setting of the future and added my thoughts on how the pharmacy curriculum can provide more opportunities for students to work in an interprofessional setting.

This episode features a discussion with Barbara Grogan, president of the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority. Mrs. Grogan began her position with the Development Authority in May 2019, just months before PCOM South Georgia welcomed its first class in August of that year. Later that year, thanks to a partnership with PCOM, the Moultrie-Colquitt County Development Authority garnered a regional “Deal of the Year” award from the Georgia Economic Developers Association. During this episode, Dr. Feldstein and Mrs. Grogan discuss the economic impact that PCOM South Georgia has had on the region and the College's plans for growth and expansion.

This episode features a discussion with Virginia Stallings, MD, a board-certified pediatric physician nutrition specialist and director of the Nutrition Center and Jean A. Cortner Endowed Chair in the Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Stallings is also professor of Pediatrics at CHOP and at The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, and a member of the PCOM Board of Trustees. In this episode, Dr. Stallings and I discuss her innovative research on cystic fibrosis and its impact on disease-related malnutrition; the relationship between sodium intake and disease prevention and the importance of including nutrition-focused instruction in medical education. Having a clear understanding of the relationship between nutrition and disease is critical to ensuring our communities live longer, healthier lives. Through the work of Dr. Stallings and others, we are gaining better insight and perspective on a topic that affects all of us.

This episode features a discussion with PCOM alumnus and member of the PCOM Board of Trustees, A. Scott McNeal, DO `88. Dr. McNeal currently serves as President and CEO of Delaware Valley Community Health, a private, non-profit healthcare organization that provides quality medical, dental and behavioral health services to patients, regardless of their ability to pay. During this podcast, Dr. Feldstein and Dr. Scott discuss the importance of federally qualified healthcare centers (FQHCs), diversity in medicine, especially as it relates to meeting the needs of diverse populations, and the steps PCOM is taking to ensure our future physicians and behavioral health professionals are prepared to meet these unique needs.

This episode features PCOM alumni Bruce A. Feinberg, DO '82, a board certified medical oncologist who founded Georgia Cancer Specialists, one of the first and largest integrated oncology specialty practices in the nation. Dr. Feinberg now serves as the Chief Medical officer of Cardinal Health Specialty Solutions, a distributor of pharmaceuticals, a global manufacturer and distributor of medical and laboratory products, and a provider of data solutions for healthcare facilities. He also hosts The Weekly Check-Up on WSB Radio in Atlanta where he provides the community with the latest health information. Join us as we discuss a myriad of topics including the often-winding path taken to choose a specialty, the journey that led to a mid-life career change, and moving from a system of sick care to health care. We also touched on building preventive health into the medical school curriculum, the positive aspects of telemedicine, and even our favorite Philly cheesesteaks! Through this podcast, we aim to shine a light on the PCOM family, including our alumni who, like Dr. Feinberg, have taken a wide range of career paths. We are especially proud of the work Dr. Feinberg has done through the years for his patients and now in the corporate sector.

This episode features a discussion with Melody Yazdani (DPT '22), a third year physical therapy student, and Prachi Patel (DO '24), a second year DO student. We discussed their experience in giving back to the community through volunteer work. Melody serves as an official trainer for the Boxing with Parkinson's program at the Center for Movement Challenges, while Prachi is the Director of the HEARTS Clinic at PCOM Georgia. They both shared why they are passionate about volunteering their time despite their demanding schedules. As part of our discussion, I shared information about the President's Community Wellness Initiative, an important funding stream for the college's volunteer work. One of the goals of the CWI is to serve the communities where we work and live which enhances the educational experience for our students. Melody and Prachi are representative of all of our students across all programs who serve in Philadelphia, metro Atlanta and Southwest Georgia. We are doing a lot of good work, which I enjoy highlighting especially during this season of giving. Learn more about #PCOMCWI at pcom.edu/about/president/cwi/

This episode features a discussion with Laura Calhoun, MHA, executive director of the Southwest Georgia Area Health Education Center (SOWEGA-AHEC). The organization shares common goals with PCOM South Georgia: increase access to health care, improve the lives of Southwest Georgians and bring more healthcare professionals to the area. Even before opening the doors of PCOM South Georgia three years ago, the College cultivated a relationship and partnership with SOWEGA-AHEC. In fact, some students applied to PCOM South Georgia because of their connection with the organization. Many of our current students have taken part in SOWEGA-AHEC's Scholars Program and some third-year DO students are now completing their rotations at their anchor sites. During this podcast, we discuss how SOWEGA-AHEC and PCOM are making a difference in rural health care by creating resources and pathways to the healthcare field. Listen now and subscribe on SoundCloud or iTunes, or visit the Office of the President to learn more. https://www.pcom.edu/about/president/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/philadelphia-college-of-osteopathic-medicine/id1405601130

This episode features a discussion with PCOM South Georgia's Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Ann Contrucci, MD, FAAP. Dr. Contrucci is a board-certified pediatrician and has been practicing medicine for more than 25 years. In private practice, Dr. Contrucci focused much of her time on patients with mental health issues. With a new academic year beginning this month, it's important to address our students' mental health. The topic is timely as a new academic year brings on new rhythms, especially for first-year students. These can include a demanding and stress-inducing class schedule and many other factors like moving away from families, friends and hometowns, learning new study habits, minimizing social activities and facing financial difficulties. Learn more here, https://www.pcom.edu/about/president/

This episode features a candid discussion with Dr. Brian Nester, President and CEO of Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), a 1988 graduate of PCOM's DO program, and a 1994 graduate of our Master of Science program. As head of one of the region's major health networks, Dr. Nester has spent the last year navigating LVHN through the COVID-19 global health crisis. As we begin life on the other side of the pandemic, Dr. Nester offers insights on the future of health care delivery and developing innovative solutions to getting patients the care they need. Dr. Nester's leadership role provides a bird's-eye perspective on the healthcare system as a whole, but his background in emergency medicine has kept him grounded to the needs of patients. His forward-thinking approach to care and his passion for the work are evident throughout this episode. I hope you enjoy our conversation. Learn more here, https://www.pcom.edu/about/president/

This episode features a discussion with Andrea Mann, DO, FAAP, PCOM Georgia's new dean and chief academic officer of the osteopathic medicine program. We discussed Dr. Mann's plans for success in her role, her leadership philology, as well as some of the challenges she will face as we transition back to campus following an unprecedented year. We also talked about priorities for both the College and PCOM Georgia during the next five years and the task of creating a clinical footprint in Georgia, which would greatly enhance interprofessional education for all programs. As part of our discussion, I shared my opinion on the greatest challenges facing medical education as the healthcare industry consolidates and treatment moves toward an outpatient model.

In the past year, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our communities and our country, claiming the lives of over half a million Americans. With this influx of deaths, medical coroners find themselves on the frontlines combating the disease. Accurately classifying deaths is an essential part of understanding the disease, as well as allocating resources to areas that are most affected. This episode features a discussion with PCOM's Dean of the School of Health Sciences and Chair of the Forensic Medicine program, Greg McDonald, DO ‘89. In this episode, Dr. McDonald discusses the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic from the point of view of a forensics expert. In addition to his role at PCOM, Dr. McDonald serves as the chief deputy coroner for Montgomery County.

This episode features a discussion with Michael Tecce, DO ‘15, resident physician in plastic surgery and assistant instructor in surgery at Penn Medicine and a PCOM alumnus. After spending five years in public accounting, Dr. Tecce transitioned his career in pursuit of full-time academics in medicine. As a student at PCOM, Dr. Tecce completed a one-year graduate fellowship in bioethics and served on multiple medical mission trips to Guatemala. He also founded the Philadelphia Surgical Conference, a clinical skills conference held annually for medical students enrolled in all Philadelphia-area medical schools. As a resident, he recently developed a tech-based platform for at-home services and is the first person from Penn Plastic Surgery to be published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Dr. Tecce’s inspiring personal story no doubt has parallels to experiences and challenges we all share, particularly in the present moment. As a PCOM alum, Dr. Tecce brings a valuable perspective to our work here at the College, and I hope you enjoy our conversation.

This episode features a discussion with PCOM's Chief Admissions Officer, Adrianne Jones, MLS, on the increasing number of medical school applications from traditionally underrepresented communities. As our population continues to grow more diverse, the need is critical for health professionals to be representative of the people and communities they serve. PCOM has an important role to play in creating a more equitable system of healthcare across the country, and I hope you enjoy this frank conversation on how we might achieve that equity and attract a more diverse student population. Listen now and subscribe on SoundCloud or iTunes, or visit http://pcom.edu. , the Office of the President to learn more.

Each year, our three campuses nominate one student for the Student DO of the Year, a nationwide award presented by the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. The students are selected by their classmates and faculty members based on their service to the college, their leadership and research experiences, and their dedication to the osteopathic profession. In this episode, we discuss why these nominees chose osteopathic medicine, how they’re making the most out of medical school during COVID-19 and how to establish trust and personal relationships with patients amidst the pandemic. We also dive into the topics of mental health and meaningful medical school experiences.

With a focus on our students, this episode features a discussion with PCOM leaders Patience Mason, MEd, and Patrick Wolf, MBA, about the College’s response to the challenges we have faced due to the pandemic. Patience is the College’s Chief Student Affairs Officer and leads the student affairs operation for our 2,800 students at the Philadelphia, Suwanee and Moultrie campuses. Patrick is the College’s Chief Occupational and Environmental Safety Officer. He is responsible for ensuring PCOM work environments in Pennsylvania and Georgia comply with all institutional, city, state and federal safety policies, codes and regulations. During our discussion, we talked about the precautions and safety initiatives we’ve instituted across all campuses, the success of these guidelines, the challenges we’ve faced, and some of the lessons we’ve learned during this time.

This episode features a discussion with PCOM South Georgia’s Assistant Professor of Microbiology and Immunology Stacie Fairley, PhD. Since making its way into our country earlier this year, COVID-19 has impacted all areas—urban and rural. The rural areas have seen devastating effects of the pandemic with contributing factors such as under-resourced health systems, disproportionate rates of poverty and food insecurity, limited internet access, and economies largely built on essential industries and services. During this podcast, we discuss the effects of COVID-19 on rural America, the importance of osteopathic physicians in these areas, and how PCOM South Georgia is helping to combat the underlying issues that have been brought to light by the pandemic.

This episode features a discussion with PCOM's chair of school psychology, Jessica Kendorski, PhD. The fight against COVID-19 has drastically affected how students around the country will be receiving their education this fall. Dr. Kendorski gives guidance for parents as they determine the best plans for their family and what they can do to support their children's mental health as they return to school. In addition to advice on back-to-school planning, Dr. Kendorski and I also discuss the long-term effects the pandemic may have on children as well as the impact of this challenging time on the College’s emergency response plans.

Along with social distancing, hand sanitizing and wearing a mask, the development of a vaccine is seen as the foremost way to combat COVID-19, a global pandemic with far-reaching effects. Currently, there is a race taking place among researchers and laboratories to develop a vaccine to immunize citizens of the world against this novel coronavirus. PCOM Georgia faculty members discuss with PCOM President Jay S. Feldstein, DO, the process involved in developing, testing and distributing a vaccine.

This episode features a discussion with PCOM students Hiral Patel (DO ‘22), PCOM Georgia, and Gabi Yankelevich (DO ‘21). Looking for ways to support their communities as the COVID-19 crisis deepened, Hiral and Gabi gathered with classmates and decided to organize and make a difference. In Suwanee, Hiral and others established a student-run service offering grocery shopping to local residents. In Philadelphia, Gabi and her classmates responded to the urgent need for personal protective equipment by raising funds to secure FDA-approved N95 respirator masks for local health professionals. With the onset of a global health crisis, PCOM students have risen to the occasion and shown remarkable strength, resilience and, perhaps most importantly, humanity. I am incredibly proud of the work these and other students have done to represent the PCOM community, as well as their own communities, in a time of great need.

This episode features a discussion with Dr. Erik Polan, assistant professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, PCOM Transitional Year Program Director, and core faculty for PCOM Internal Medicine residency. Most recently, Dr. Polan has been working on the front lines in the fight against COVID-19 with internal medicine residents at Roxborough Memorial Hospital . Our discussion explored what life has been like for Dr. Polan and his residents; the unique challenges this public health crisis presents; tips for the general public to reduce the risk of infection; and what the future of healthcare may look like post-COVID. We also discussed ways the PCOM community can support and keep each other safe during this time.

This episode marks February as American Heart Month and features a discussion with Cathy Hatcher, PhD associate professor of neuroscience, physiology and pharmacology, on her research into the abnormal processes in cardiovascular development that can lead to congenital heart defects. Our conversation touched on the prevalence of those defects, the future of research in this area, and how students play an incredibly important role in her laboratory. Listen now and subscribe on SoundCloud or iTunes, or visit the Office of the President to learn more.

The January podcast, which features a discussion with Dr. Ruth Maher, a professor in the Department of Physical Therapy at PCOM Georgia, is now live. Professor Maher is a board-certified clinical specialist in women’s health from the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties. Prior to joining academia, she owned and ran private physical therapy practices in Dublin, Ireland, and in the United States specializing in women’s health and chronic pain conditions. In this episode, we discuss Dr. Maher’s work in the treatment of individuals with pelvic floor dysfunction and we’ll learn more about a device that is helping many patients overcome what has been termed an epidemic. In addition, we discussed how we as clinicians can help change the healthcare system to improve patient outcomes.

PCOM Perspectives: Diversity in Health Care by Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine

The November podcast, which features a discussion with Dr. Harold Komiskey, a professor of neuroscience, physiology and pharmacology at PCOM Georgia, is now live. Dr. Komiskey has a strong background in neuroscience, aging, pharmacology, toxicology and astrocyte research. For the past decade, he has been investigating an astrocyte model to study signaling mechanisms involved in age-related neurologic disorders and environmental toxicants. He has successfully competed for state and national funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the National Institute on Aging, the National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Stroke, and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry. In this episode, we discussed why it is so challenging to find an effective treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, possible screens for dementia, and what triggers neurodegenerative disease and how it can be prevented. We also talked about how PCOM is helping to promote research about diseases like Alzheimer’s.

This episode features a discussion with Brian Balin, PhD, professor of neuroscience and neuropathology, chair of biomedical sciences, and director of the Center for Chronic Disorders of Aging, whose work focuses on discovering and targeting pathogens that may trigger the onset of Alzheimer’s disease. Our conversation touched on the state of current Alzheimer’s research, and how his hypothesis differs from others that—until now—have been more popular; how his area of research is growing; how PCOM students are learning about neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s; and how the growing aging population can affect the U.S. healthcare system.

This episode features a discussion with Terri Erbacher, PhD, clinical associate professor of school psychology, whose work focuses on various aspects suicide prevention, intervention and post-vention response and the traumatic impact this loss has on those left behind. The discussion touched on how parents can spot troubling behavior early on; how physicians and behavioral health practitioners can work together to mitigate risk of suicide attempt; and how schools play an important role in the mental health of children and adolescents. Also discussed the ways PCOM is helping its students break through the stigma of mental illness that persists in health care.

The July podcast features a discussion with Gary Freed, DO, a clinical professor in the Department of Pediatrics at PCOM Georgia. Dr. Freed is referred to as the state “expert” on Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Safe Sleep by the Georgia Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics. A graduate of the College of Osteopathic Medicine at Des Moines University and a neonatology fellowship at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers University, Dr. Freed worked as an award-winning professor at Emory University School of Medicine until his retirement. We were fortunate that he joined the PCOM Georgia faculty in 2017.

Dr. D’Angelo is the course director for cellular anatomy in the Structural Principles of Osteopathic Medicine course for DO students, and also teaches anatomy to students in the biomedical sciences and physician assistant studies. In her lab, she has been exploring novel and effective treatments for osteoarthritis. Currently, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs—NSAIDS— are used to treat the symptoms of OA but these can lead to long-term health complications and they do not stop the progression of the disease. Dr. D’Angelo and her colleagues have patented a new treatment that in pre-clinical studies is effective in slowing the progression of the disease. In collaboration with her faculty start-up company, ProteaPex Therapeutics, she is testing the effects of the OA drug on cells obtained from patients receiving total knee replacement. Learn more here https://www.pcom.edu

This episode features a discussion on obesity and weight management with Michelle Lent, PhD, associate professor of clinical psychology. Dr. Lent’s research interests span pediatric obesity treatment, psychosocial factors in bariatric surgery, school and community-based obesity prevention and treatment initiatives, food addiction, urban consumer food purchasing behaviors and cognitive-behavioral interventions for adult obesity. She also directs the Weight Management Program though PCOM’s Center for Behavioral Therapy. Our discussion touched on the difficulty of treating obesity; the role of both behavioral health practitioners and physicians in its treatment; and addressed the weight stigma that can persist in society—and among healthcare providers.

The March episode features a discussion about the pharmacy profession with Shawn Spencer, PhD, RPh, the dean of the PCOM School of Pharmacy at PCOM Georgia. Topics include Dr. Spencer's vision for the School of Pharmacy, how he measures success, as well as the evolution and future of the pharmacy profession. Other items discussed include the role that pharmacists and pharmacy education can play regarding medical cannabis, the expansion of programs in South Georgia, and the challenges of establishing a healthcare delivery footprint in Georgia.

This episode features a discussion on the thriving research division at PCOM with Mindy George-Weinstein, PhD, chief research and science officer. Dr. George-Weinstein is a prolific researcher in her own right. She and Jackie Gerhart— Coordinator of the Research Support Staff and Director of the Bio-Imaging Facility—discovered cells at PCOM which are now part of a multisite, multimillion dollar research project that seeks to find effective treatments for blindness, neurodegeneration, chronic wound healing, fibrotic diseases and cancer. Our discussion touched on the importance of the basic sciences in medical education; collaboration between researchers across departments and campuses; and how research and clinical medicine go hand-in-hand.

The January episode features a discussion about interprofessional education (IPE) at GA-PCOM with the PCOM School of Pharmacy Director of Interprofessional Education Sara (Mandy) Reece, PharmD, an associate professor and vice chair of the department of pharmacy practice at GA-PCOM. Topics included the evolution of IPE at GA-PCOM, the key ingredients for the success of the year-long course for DO, PA, PharmD and PT students, and how IPE fits into the healthcare ecosystem in terms of value-based health care and population health.

This episode features a discussion about PCOM South Georgia, the college’s developing location in the Southwest Georgia region, with Michael J. Sampson, DO, FAOASM, the new campus’ associate dean and chief academic officer. Dr. Sampson provides a progress update, discusses his vision for the Moultrie location, provides thoughts on the new school’s regional impact, and describes his experience of residing in South Georgia.

This episode is the first of a two-part series on interprofessional education (IPE), and features a conversation with Stephanie Felgoise, PhD, professor and chair, clinical psychology and director of the doctorate program in clinical psychology. IPE provides a unique educational experience for students from across academic programs to learn with and from each other. Dr. Felgoise and I discussed the ways PCOM is using this approach to train our students to become skilled members of the healthcare team of the future, with each area contributing its own skill set to achieve the best outcome for the patient.

In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, this episode features a discussion about breast cancer research with GA-PCOM’s Assistant Professor of Anatomy, Abigail Hielscher, PhD. Dr. Hielsher discusses how the tumor environment facilitates breast cancer growth, her long-term goals with this specific research, how the field is progressing, and how our students participate in the research process.

This episode features a discussion about osteopathic manipulative medicine with GA-PCOM’s Professor and Director of OMM, Dr. Walter Ehrenfeuchter. As you may know, Dr. “E” is the principal author of five chapters in a widely used osteopathic medical textbook, “Foundations of Osteopathic Medicine.”

This episode features a conversation with Scott Glassman, PsyD, clinical assistant professor of psychology and associate director of the master’s program in mental health counseling. Dr. Glassman’s work focuses largely on the integration of behavioral health in primary care settings, and we discussed how this can lead to better patient outcomes and better training opportunities for our students. We also discussed the need for better behavioral health support for medical students and physicians, who tend to have higher rates of depression, burnout and suicide.

The opioid epidemic is one of the most pressing public health crises of our time. Our latest episode features a conversation with David Festinger, PhD, director of substance abuse research and education at PCOM about research on and treatment of substance abuse disorders and how physicians, pharmacists and mental health professionals—indeed, all health care practitioners—should be working together to address this epidemic.

Our latest episode features a conversation with Jessica Kendorski, PhD, director of the MS in School Psychology program and professional education in school psychology, who recently authored a new book focusing on parents and practitioners working with children with autism.

In celebration of National Osteopathic Medicine Week, Jay S. Feldstein, DO '81, president and CEO, sits down with Kenneth Veit, DO '76, MBA provost, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean, to discuss the history and growth of the osteopathic medicine and of PCOM.