PCOMLINK
JULY 2009
Commencement Marks Milestone With the hooding of 78 new physicians on Sunday, May 17, PCOM history was made. The GA–PCOM DO class of 2009 was the first to graduate from the College’s branch campus. “Every graduation is a joy,” proclaims President Mathew Schure, PhD. “This one is especially so due to the Herculean efforts of the PCOM community to reach this special day. We rejoice with our graduates and know that they join us in thanking the faculty, staff and administrators of the College in making that education possible.” Campus Executive Director John Fleischmann, EdD, MBA, MPA, proudly states, “I have watched as our pioneer class of 2009 has The first graduating class of DO students at GA–PCOM take evolved from eager, over-achieving medical the Osteopathic Oath. students to professional, caring, thoughtful and highly-educated student physicians, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.” Also at the ceremony, 12 graduate students were awarded a master’s of science in biomedical sciences degree. The Philadelphia campus celebrated its 118th DO commencement on May 31. William G. Anderson, DO, known for his significant contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and to the osteopathic profession, spoke before the 270 graduating students. In 1961, Dr. Anderson founded and served as the first director of the Albany Movement, a desegregation coalition in Albany, Georgia. Dr. Anderson is also a former director of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Ralph Abernathy and other civil rights pioneers. Currently, Dr. Anderson is vice president for academic affairs and osteopathic medical education at Detroit Medical Center and associate dean for the Michigan region at Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine.
A very happy Zachary Engler, DO ’09 in Philadelphia is hooded by Dr. Veit.
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PCOM IN THE SPOTLIGHT ..............2 RESEARCH NEWS ........................3
PEOPLE’S PASSIONS ............6 NEW HIRES ........................7