History of Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine
Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM) is the 19th college of osteopathic medicine in the United States. It stands as the only medical school that is part of a private liberal arts college.
PCSOM is supported by community leaders whose objective is to improve the delivery of health care to the people in the underserved areas of Appalachia. Founded by a group of Eastern Kentucky businessmen, led by G. Chad Perry, III, of Paintsville, Ky., PCSOM has received substantial support from community leaders, government agencies, foundations and corporations. This support culminated in the matriculation of the inaugural class of PCSOM, the Class of 2001, on Sept. 11, 1997.
Expand the details of the timeline below by clicking on a year.
SeptemberG. Chad Perry, III, a prominent attorney from Paintsville, Ky., and his wife, Judy Perry, conceived the idea of building an osteopathic medical school in Eastern Kentucky. They joined together with a group of civic-minded individuals to investigate the possibility of a school in Paintsville, Ky. The supporters of the school believed that the creation of an osteopathic school was the best way to eliminate the shortage of primary care physicians in rural Eastern Kentucky. Mr. Perry said he “chose to support an osteopaths’ school because D.O.s, as they are called, tend to stay in rural areas and in family practice.”
Mr. Perry pledged $1,000,000 in an escrow to secure accreditation for the school. The supporters of the school then sought grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to help cover the initial operating costs.
FebruaryThe American College of Osteopathic Medicine (ACOM) was incorporated in Paintsville, Ky.
SeptemberThe name of the school was changed to Southern College of Osteopathic Medicine (SCOM).
MarchSouthern College of Osteopathic Medicine filed a formal application and feasibility study with the American Osteopathic Association (AOA).
AugustUnable to gain the financial support necessary to build the osteopathic school in Paintsville, Ky., the executive committee of SCOM began merger discussions with Pikeville College. By merging with an existing college, millions of dollars could be saved in construction and administrative costs.
The American Osteopathic Association conducted a site visit for pre-accreditation status of SCOM.
MayThe merger of SCOM and Pikeville College became official and the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine (PCSOM) was founded.
JunePCSOM received pre-accreditation status from the AOA Bureau of Professional Education.
AugustPCSOM received a $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission that would provide funding for the renovation of the lower level of the Pikeville College Armington Science Learning Center, which would be utilized by the medical school.
SeptemberJohn A. Strosnider, D.O., was appointed as the founding Dean of PCSOM. Dr. Strosnider practiced family medicine for 17 years in Kansas City, Mo. His position, prior to this appointment, was one with the University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine where he was serving as Associate Dean for Clinical Sciences and Associate Professor of Family Medicine. Dr. Strosnider served on the American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees.
DecemberHighway contractor Leonard Lawson donated $1,000,000 to Pikeville College for the renovation of Derriana Hall, an 89-year-old building that had once served as a women’s dormitory. Derriana Hall will be used to house female students of Pikeville College.
JanuaryThe American Osteopathic Association conducted a site visit for provisional accreditation of PCSOM.
JuneThe Pikeville College Board of Trustees elected two osteopathic physicians to the Board.
John P. Sevastos, D.O., president of the American Osteopathic Association, came with the visiting AOA site team to Pikeville for their review. Originally from Woodville, Ohio, Dr. Sevastos obtained a pharmacy degree from the University of Toledo College of Pharmacy and then proceeded to earn a doctor of osteopathy degree from the Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Born in Detroit, George Thomas Caleel, D.O., gained his bachelor’s degree in pharmacy from Wayne State University and his doctor of osteopathy degree from the Chicago School of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Caleel served as Chairman of the visiting team from the American Osteopathic Association that reviewed PCSOM.
PCSOM was granted provisional accreditation status from the AOA Bureau of Professional Education on July 11, 1997.
Harold H. Smith was appointed President of Pikeville College.
PCSOM received a $25,000 grant from the E. O. Robinson Mountain Fund to purchase microscopes for the histology lab.
July-AugustUpon receipt of provisional accreditation, PCSOM began its admissions process and selected its first class of 60 students.
PCSOM received an $800,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission, which would be used to construct a fourth-floor addition to the Armington Science Learning Center. This addition would be used to house laboratories and offices used exclusively by the school of osteopathic medicine. It would also provide the necessary funding to purchase equipment and furnishings for the addition.
PCSOM received pledges of gifts totaling in excess of $3,400,000 from various Eastern Kentucky businesses, civic and local government officials. These monies were to be utilized to assist in the first five years of operation.
SeptemberPCSOM matriculated its first class of 60 students, the Class of 2001.
The founding convocation of the Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine took place on Sept. 11, 1997. Kentucky Gov. Paul Patton, who was unable to attend the ceremony, addressed the crowd via speakerphone. “This is a significant day for Pikeville College, in the welfare of the county and the welfare of the people.” John Crosby, Executive Director of the AOA, gave the keynote address.
JanuaryThe Kentucky state legislature passed the Osteopathic Scholarship Bill (Senate Bill 101). This bill, sponsored by Senator Benny Ray Bailey and signed into law by Governor Patton, allows residents of Kentucky who are accepted to PCSOM and agree to practice primary care in Kentucky one year, for each year of the scholarship, to receive a scholarship equal to the difference in the tuition at PCSOM and the tuition at the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. The financial impact of this bill for those who accept the scholarship is around $180,000 in savings.
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) completed a site visit to Pikeville College in order to evaluate a substantive change with the addition of the School of Osteopathic Medicine.
JulyPCSOM received notification of the approval of a $500,000 Title IV grant for the establishment of a Department of Family Medicine. The official start date of the grant was Sept. 1, 1998.
The Pikeville College Board appointed Gregory Hazelett, D.O., to the Board of Trustees. Dr. Hazelett is a local ENT physician who practices in Pikeville.
PCSOM provided the first Professional Education Preparation Program (PEPP) for area junior and senior high school students. This two-week intensive program is paid for by a $100,000/year grant from the state of Kentucky.
AugustThe first official White Coat Ceremony for first-year students, Class of 2002, was organized by the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA). The White Coat Ceremony is a “rite of passage” for beginning medical school students to help establish a psychological contract for professionalism and empathy in the practice of medicine. The first-year students, Class of 2002, took an oath of commitment to medicine during this ceremony and were presented with their white coats along with stethoscopes and diagnostic kits by the second-year students, Class of 2001.
OctoberU.S. Representative Harold “Hal” Rogers announced that he had secured $1,500,000 for Pikeville College School of Osteopathic Medicine to complete the funding necessary for the Telemedical Learning and Resource Center, which will be housed in a state-of-the-art telecommunications center and library that will be built on Hambley Boulevard. Rogers was quoted as saying, “By employing telecommunications technology in the delivery of health care, we will be able to bridge the gap between health facilities in our rural region. The school will literally become the nucleus of a larger network of health facilities that will share medical expertise and resources, ensuring that the people of our area receive the best possible care.”
PCSOM received an additional $1,000,000 ARC grant for completion of the fourth-floor addition to the Armington Science Center. This money was to be used for completion of the new state-of-the-art lecture hall, and the microbiology lab along with two research labs.
Thad Manning, a second-year PCSOM student, was elected as the Region I Trustee for the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA.) The Region I Trustee oversees the six osteopathic medical schools located in the Eastern United States.
The “Second Opinion,” a biweekly article sponsored by second-year students of PCSOM and SOMA, began publication in the Appalachian News-Express.
On Oct. 2, 1998, the Asthma and Allergy Center conducted its first PCSOM golf tournament and raised $20,000 for the School of Osteopathic Medicine.
DecemberSACS approved continued accreditation of Pikeville College with the School of Osteopathic Medicine.
MarchPCSOM faculty and staff moved into the new offices in the completed 15,000-square-foot addition to the Armington Science Building.
Groundbreaking for the new Telemedical Learning and Resource Center was held. Representative Hal Rogers and Gov. Paul E. Patton pledged continued support for PCSOM and the citizens of Eastern Kentucky.
AugustThird-year students began their first clinical rotations at PCSOM.
The Class of 2003 began classes at PCSOM.
OctoberFollowing the resignation of George Caleel, D.O., from the Board, Eugene Oliveri, D.O., was elected to the Pikeville College Board of Trustees.
Thad Manning, a third-year student, was elected President of the National SOMA.
Aaron Karr, a third-year student, was elected to the National SOMA Board of Trustees.
William Betz, D.O., received his Fellowship in the ACOFP. Dr. Betz is the Chair of Family Medicine.
NovemberRepresentative Hal Rogers announced a $1,000,000 grant for PCSOM to utilize in developing wireless telecommunication and telemedicine.
Dr. Strosnider was elected to the Pikeville Methodist Hospital Board of Directors, helping to solidify the relationship between PCSOM and its major teaching facility.
DecemberGovernor Paul E. Patton announced a $370,000 grant for the Appalachian Osteopathic Postgraduate Training Institute Consortium (A-OPTIC). This is the PCSOM-sponsored OPTI and the funds are to be utilized for the initial three-year establishment of the program.
Recruitment began for an executive director of A-OPTIC.
JanuaryDr. Strosnider received official notification of the permanent appointment of the dean of PCSOM to the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure.
MarchPCSOM had its third annual provisional accreditation on-site visit by the Council on Predoctoral Education of the AOA.
JulyMichael Murphy, D.O., accepted the position of executive director of A-OPTIC, and professor of family medicine. Dr. Murphy is also the residency director for Pikeville Methodist Hospital’s Family Medicine program.
Jason James, a fourth-year PCSOM student, was appointed as the first student with full voting rights to the Board of Trustees of the American Osteopathic Association.
Dr. Strosnider received from the AOF and AOA the Educator of the Year Award at the House of Delegates in Chicago.
AugustPCSOM matriculated its fourth class, the Class of 2005, bringing the total student body to 239.
Dr. William Betz was appointed to the position of assistant dean for Clinical Sciences/Chair Department of Family Medicine.
PCSOM received notification of approval of provisional accreditation status by the Bureau of Professional Education of the AOA. Arrangements for the full accreditation site visit by the Council on Predoctoral Education in February 2001 are started.
SeptemberPCSOM responded to a “Request for Proposals” (RFP) by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and submitted a bid to provide telemedical consultation for two federal prisons in Eastern Kentucky.
Work officially began on a “Smart Card” system and the making of the Pikeville College campus and the new Telemedical Learning and Resource Center a wireless network. This advanced telecommunication project, funded by the federal grant obtained by Representative Rogers, should be completed by January 2001.
OctoberPCSOM received notification of the awarding of the contract to provide the telemedical consultative services from the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Sharon Turk, of Lexington, Ky., was hired as the first director of telemedicine.
Denise Queen, MSN, was hired as the first director of the PCSOM Division of Clinical Research.
The PCSOM medical library, clinical research, A-OPTIC and telemedicine all began moving into the newly completed Pikeville College Osteopathic Telemedical Learning Center. The grand opening for this state-of-the-art facility was held on December 2000.
Dr. John Strosnider accepted for Kentucky Gov. Paul E. Patton, the Miller award, presented by the Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine.
Dr. John Strosnider and Dr. Michael Murphy received their Fellowships in the ACOFP.
NovemberThe first full-day PCSOM faculty development program was presented in the new teleconference center in the medical library.
FebruaryAOA performed a site visit for full accreditation status, Feb. 20-23.
MayPCSOM graduated its first class of 53 new D.O.s. The President of the AOA, Dr. Donald Krpan, and the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Paul E. Patton, addressed the graduates. More than 1,000 friends and relatives of the graduates attended the ceremony and reception that followed.
JunePCSOM received full accreditation status from the Bureau of Professional Education of the American Osteopathic Association.
AugustPCSOM began the process of seeking funding and establishing the Appalachian Medical Research Institute, which will provide space and equipment for biomedical, clinical and osteopathic research.
FebruaryConstruction began in February on a $1.25 million addition to the Armington Science Center. PCSOM received a $1,000,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission to expand its medical research capabilities. The expansion will house a new Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OP&P) lab, a biomedical research lab, seven new offices and four breakout rooms for small group instruction.
MayThe graduation ceremony for the PCSOM Class of 2005 was conducted in the new Eastern Kentucky Exposition Center in Pikeville, Ky.
JuneWilliam T. Betz, D.O., Associate Dean for Clinical Sciences, resigned to take a position as Vice President and Chief Academic Officer and Dean of the Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences College of Osteopathic Medicine in Yakima, Wash., which is slated to open in 2008. Dr. Betz will be modeling the school after PCSOM.
JulyJohn A. Strosnider, Vice President and Dean of PCSOM appointed President-Elect of the American Osteopathic Association.
Darrell Lovins, D.O., appointed Associate Director of A-OPTIC for PCSOM.
Daniel Callan, D.O., appointed Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at PCSOM.
AugustA “Sky Eye Camera” system was purchased and installed in the Osteopathic Principles and Practices lab.
SeptemberDr. Randy L. Litman was appointed Chair of the Department of Osteopathic Principles and Practices (OP&P) at PCSOM.
MarchDaniel Callan, D.O., Chair of the Department of Family Medicine, received his fellowship in ACOFP.
JulyJohn A. Strosnider, Vice President and Dean of PCSOM, was sworn in as the 110th President of the American Osteopathic Association in Chicago, Ill.
Michael K. Murphy, D.O., appointed Associate Dean of Clinical Sciences for PCSOM.
OctoberPikeville College dedicates Chrisman Appalachian Medical Research Institute in honor of the late Charles “Chuck” Chrisman.
Debbie Murphy was appointed President of the Advocates of the American Osteopathic Association (AAOA).
MarchDarrell Lovins, Executive Director of A-OPTIC, received his fellowship in ACOFP.
AprilThe American Osteopathic Association Board of Trustees visited Pikeville.
June 21John A. Strosnider, Vice President and Dean of PCSOM, passes away at the Cleveland Clinic of complications from pancreatic cancer.
SeptemberBoyd R. Buser, D.O., appointed Interim Vice President and Dean of PCSOM.
OctoberRandy L. Litman, D.O., Chair, Department of Family Medicine, was elected to the American Osteopathic Association “Mentor Hall of Fame.”
NovemberA student lounge was constructed and opened to PCSOM medical Students in memory of Dr. John A. Strosnider.
DecemberBoyd R. Buser, D.O., appointed Vice President and Dean of PCSOM.
The PCSOM Chapter of ACOFP received the Humanitarian Award.
Michael K. Murphy, D.O., Associate Dean for Clinical Sciences, was appointed to the National Board of Osteopathic Medical Examiners.
147 Sycamore Street
Pikeville, Kentucky 41501
606.218.5250
1.866.BEARS.00
www.pc.edu