Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) is a private medical school and graduate institution in Philadelphia, founded in 1899 to train physicians in the osteopathic medical tradition. PCOM is one of the oldest and largest osteopathic medical schools in the nation, graduating approximately 270 doctors of osteopathic medicine (DO) annually from its Philadelphia campus, with additional campuses in Georgia and South Korea. The college also offers graduate programs in psychology, biomedical sciences, and health sciences, producing healthcare professionals who practice throughout the United States and internationally.[1]
History
[edit | edit source]PCOM was founded in 1899 during the early development of osteopathic medicine, when the profession sought to establish educational institutions rivaling allopathic medical schools. The college developed through the twentieth century, moving to its current City Avenue campus in 1973 and expanding programs beyond medical education. PCOM's history reflects the evolution of osteopathic medicine from alternative movement to fully integrated medical profession, with DOs now practicing alongside MDs in all specialties.[1]
The college has expanded geographically through branch campuses in Suwanee, Georgia (2005) and South Korea (2019), extending the PCOM educational model beyond Philadelphia. These expansions increased enrollment while maintaining educational quality and institutional mission. PCOM's growth reflects broader demand for medical education and osteopathic medicine's increasing acceptance within mainstream healthcare.[1]
Academic Programs
[edit | edit source]PCOM's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program provides four-year medical education emphasizing osteopathic philosophy alongside conventional medical training. Osteopathic medicine's holistic approach—treating the whole person rather than isolated symptoms—and emphasis on musculoskeletal manipulation distinguish DO training from MD programs, though graduates are fully licensed physicians who practice in all specialties. PCOM students complete clinical rotations at hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout the Philadelphia region and beyond.[1]
Graduate programs include Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Master of Science in biomedical sciences, physician assistant studies, forensic medicine, and other health-related fields. These programs extend PCOM's mission beyond medical education while supporting healthcare workforce needs in psychology, allied health, and biomedical research. The college's emphasis on primary care and underserved populations reflects osteopathic medicine's traditional commitment to accessible healthcare.[1]
Campus
[edit | edit source]PCOM's main campus on City Avenue in West Philadelphia occupies facilities including academic buildings, clinical centers, and research laboratories. The campus, developed since 1973, provides modern medical education facilities while clinical affiliations extend throughout the Philadelphia region. The Healthcare Centers at PCOM provide primary care, specialty services, and wellness programs while offering clinical training sites for students.[1]
The City Avenue location, near the Philadelphia-Montgomery County border, provides suburban-accessible setting while maintaining proximity to Center City hospitals and clinical sites. PCOM's clinical network includes affiliations with hospitals and healthcare systems throughout the region, providing diverse training environments that prepare students for varied practice settings.[1]
Osteopathic Medicine
[edit | edit source]Osteopathic medicine, founded by Andrew Taylor Still in the nineteenth century, emphasizes the body's interconnected systems, self-healing capabilities, and the relationship between structure and function. Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT)—hands-on techniques for diagnosis and treatment—distinguishes osteopathic training, though many DOs do not regularly use manipulation in practice. Contemporary osteopathic physicians complete identical residency training as MDs and practice in all specialties with equivalent licensing and privileges.[1]
PCOM maintains commitment to osteopathic principles while preparing graduates for contemporary medical practice. Students learn OMT techniques alongside conventional medical training, developing skills that some find valuable for certain conditions. The profession's historical emphasis on primary care and underserved populations continues influencing PCOM's mission and many graduates' career choices.[1]
See Also
[edit | edit source]- Osteopathic Medicine
- Medical Education in Philadelphia
- City Avenue
- West Philadelphia
- Healthcare Workforce