PCOM Perspectives

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.