[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 145 (1999), Part 1]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 311]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



    TRIBUTE TO PHILADELPHIA COLLEGE OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE ON ITS 
                         CENTENNIAL ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHAKA FATTAH

                            of pennsylvania

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, January 6, 1999

  Mr. FATTAH. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to offer my enthusiastic 
congratulations to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), 
which this year celebrates its Centennial anniversary. For 100 years, 
PCOM has served as a national leader in the training of exceptional 
physicians. Today, the College is the largest osteopathic medical 
school in the United States, and graduates more primary health care 
physicians than any other medical school in the nation. PCOM was 
recently praised for its strong emphasis on primary care and early 
clinical exposure in the Princeton Review's 1998 Guide, ``The Best 
Medical Schools.'' In addition, the College was awarded the highest 
possible ranking in the 1998 ``Primary Care Scorecard,'' which ranks 
osteopathic medical schools according to the number of students 
entering primary care fields, and the presence of a family practice 
division within the College.
  PCOM's success in educating high quality physicians is directly 
attributable to its interdisciplinary curriculum, and ``Doctors from 
Day One'' philosophy. While students are thoroughly trained in the 
science of medicine, they are also schooled in the humanistic 
application of their trade. Clinical experience beginning early in a 
student's career sets a tone, which values both a thorough assessment 
of a patient's medical symptoms, and an ability to discern the social, 
economic, and other individual factors which also play a role in 
determining a patient's health and wellness. This integrated approach 
to the practice of medicine is reinforced during the required four 
months students spend staffing the College's rural and urban health 
care facilities, which serve Philadelphia's underserved populations. 
Clearly, PCOM boasts a unique tradition of medical education.
  PCOM has an exciting year ahead. Construction of its new Student 
Activity Center, a comprehensive exercise facility, will be completed 
this summer. The Student Activity Center underscores the College's 
commitment to its mission by encouraging its students and faculty to 
practice the good health habits that they advise their patients to 
practice. A book commemorating PCOM's 100 years of medical education 
has been published, with a special introduction by former United States 
Surgeon General C. Everett Koop. Two historical exhibits on display at 
the College throughout the year present photographs and papers, which 
document PCOM's proud history and the emergence of osteopathic medicine 
as a medical practice. PCOM will also be a 1999 Philadelphia sponsor of 
the nationally acclaimed Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation ``Race 
for the Cure.''
  Mr. Speaker, and fellow Colleagues of the House, please join me in 
extending our gratitude to Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine 
for its 100 years of outstanding medical leadership and service to our 
nation. May PCOM's distinguished tradition of medical education 
continue to thrive for the next 100 years and beyond.

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