Dr. Pennock was the first recipient of the PCOM O.J. Synder Memorial Medal, the highest honor given by the college.
James M. Eaton, DO, FACOS (PCOM 1928)
Dr. Eaton is credited as one of the pioneers in orthopedics, becoming one of the first specialists in orthopedic surgery on the eastern seaboard. Prior to focusing on orthopedics Dr. Eaton trained at PCOM in general surgery under Dr. Pennock. At the time most orthopedic procedures in the United States were performed by licensed general surgeons. Dr. Eaton is credited with the idea behind forming a professional osteopathic orthopedic surgery society and was one of the founding members of the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics in 1941. He also wrote the definition of "orthopedic surgery" as adopted by the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons.
In 1946 Dr. Eaton created the PCOM Orthopedic Surgery Residency Program. Not satisfied with just developing the field of orthopedics, Dr. Eaton began to push for a standard of education in all areas of surgery and in 1955 prepared a document entitled "Basic Requirements of an Approved Residency Including the Surgical Subspecialties". This document later became the basis for developing osteopathic training programs in areas other than general surgery and orthopedic surgery including: peripheral vascular surgery, plastic surgery, urologic surgery and neurosurgery.
President, American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics: 1942
President, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons: 1954
AOAO Knott Cane Award: 1956
ACOS Orel F. Martin Medal: 1961
AOAO Appreciative Award: 1961
Carlton Street, DO, FACOS (PCOM 1924)
Dr. Street was one of the first osteopathic surgeons to recognize the need for surgical subspecialization within the osteopathic profession. Following in the footsteps of Dr. Eaton, Dr. Street worked to create different departments within the PCOM Department of Surgery including Otolaryngology and OB/Gyn. At a time when nearly every invasive surgical procedure was performed by general surgeons, Dr. Street anticipated the growing complexity and scope of surgical care and sought to prepare PCOM to be at the forefront of training these newly subspecialized osteopathic physicians.
Herman Kohn, DO, FACOS (PCOM 1927)
Dr. Kohns early training was in the field of Gynecologic Surgery, an area that was within the scope of practice of early general surgeons. Dr. Kohn was a member of the PCOM Department of Surgery for nearly 40 years when he became Chairman after the passing of Dr. Street.
PCOM O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal: 1974
Galen S. Young, DO, FACOS (PCOM 1935)
After graduating from PCOM in 1935 Dr. Young completed his internship at the Philadelphia Osteopathic Hospital and for 8 years trained in surgery under Dr. D.S.B. Pennock.
Dr. Young was instrumental in the development of the Osteopathic Profession across the United States. In the early 1950's Dr. young met with then republican Presidential candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower and discussed the lack of federal funding for Osteopathic Medical Education. When Eisenhower was elected in 1952 he became the first U.S. President to include funding for DO schools in the national education budget.
As the American Academy of Osteopathy President from 1959-1960, the time when the California Osteopathic Association merged with the California Medical Association, Dr. Young fought to defeat the movement from spreading throughout the rest of the country and successfully managed to keep osteopathic medicine as a separate but equal entity.
Dr. Young maintained a surgical practice for 45 years, each year being involved in teaching students, interns and residents at PCOM. His tenture as a member of the PCOM Department of Surgery began in 1950. Dr. Young became the Chairman is Surgery in 1978 and following that has was named Professor Emeritus of Surgery, a title he held until his death in 2006. Dr. Young was not only an important figure in the Department of Surgery but is one of the most important figures in the history of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
President, American Osteopathic Association: 1959 - 1960
Treasurer Emeritus, PCOM Alumni Association: 1965 - 2006
Presidency, PCOM Alumni Association: 1971
Member, PCOM Board of Trustees: 1990 - 2006
Chancellor of PCOM: 1990 - 2006
American Osteopathic Association Distinguished Service Certificate: 1993
ACOS Distinguished Osteopathic Surgeon Award: 1998
In 2007 PCOM posthumously honored Dr. Young by creating the "Galen S. Young Chair in Surgery", the title to be given to all future chairpersons of the PCOM Department of Surgery.
Daniel L. Wisely, DO, FACOS
During his time as President of the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons, Dr. Wisely focused on the fact that there was a lack of postgraduate training opportunities for new DO graduates. Dr. Wisely raised awareness of this problem and began a movement to develop osteopathic residency programs throughout the country. He worked to establish the Young Surgeons Committee which helped young osteopathic physicians develop their practices by putting them in communication with more experienced physicians.
Dr. Wisely was a true educator and student advocate. He was twice voted the PCOM Clinical Teacher of the Year by the student body and he also inspired the creation of the PCOM Surgery Club, officially named the "Daniel L. Wisely Surgical Association."
ACOS Distinguished Osteopathic Surgeon Award: 1982
President, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons: 1983
ACOS Orel F. Martin Medal: 1995
Former Dean of PCOM
Nicholas C. Pedano, DO, FACOS (PCOM 1961)
Dr. Pedano has been a teacher and mentor to thousands of PCOM students throughout his 40+ year career as a surgeon and education, and has this significantly impacted the future of osteopathic surgery. Dr. Pedanos length of service and dedication to his college, students and profession in apparent in his involvement with every facet of osteopathic education.
Lambda Omicron Gamma Award (Education & Medicine): 1975
Member, PCOM Board of Trustees: 1984 - 2009
Member, PCOM Alumni Association Board of Trustees: 1986 - Present
Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguined Teaching: 1993
Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association Distinguished Service Award: 1995
O.J. Snyder Memorial Medal: 1999
PCOM Alumni Association Certificate of Merit: 2001
Named PCOM Professor Emeritus of Surgery: 2001
POMA Board of Trustees Member Award (40 years): 2002
President, PCOM Alumni Association Board of Trustees: 2007
PCOM Alumni Association Certificate of Honor: 2010
Arthur J. Sesso, DO, FACOS (PCOM 1981)
Since the beginning of his involvement with the PCOM Department of Surgery in 1981 Dr. Arthur Sesso has been working to develop the PCOM General Surgery Residency Program into what it is today. Dr. Sesso has received endless recognition for his mentorship and teaching including several "Teacher of the Year" and "Clinical Professor of the Year" awards. He is actively involved on the national level with the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and helps to develop the academic standards for osteopathic surgical education.
Henry E. D'Alonzo Award for Interns: 1982
PCOM Intern of the Year: 1982
Henry E. D'Alonzo Resident Award: 1983
PCOM Resident of the Year: 1983
PCOM Chief Surgical Resident: 1985 - 1986
National Surgery Award for Literary Achievement: 1986
PCOM Intern-Class Teacher of the Year Award: 1987
PCOM Clinical Professor of the Year Award: 1987
PCOM Student Council Teacher of the Year Award: 1997
Galen S. Young, DO Chair in Surgery: 2007
ACOS Distinguished Osteopathic Surgeon Award: 2010
Other Notable PCOM Surgeons
Arthur M. Flack Jr., DO, FACOS (PCOM 1933)
Dr. Flack is credited with starting the PCOM Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in 1951, pioneering a field that was still in its infancy at the time.
President, American College of Osteopathic Surgeons: 1965
ACOS Orel F. Martin Medal: 1974
Henry A. D'Alonzo, DO, FACOS (PCOM 1951)
Dr. D'Alonzo was one of the first surgeons in Philadelphia to perform an implantable pacemaker operation. He was also one of the first surgeons in the area to successfully operate on a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm.
Thomas F. A. Powell, DO, FACOS (PCOM 1956)
Dr. Powell was the first African American to train in surgery at PCOM. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1952, Dr. Powell went on to attend PCOM and graduated with his D.O. degree in 1956. Dr. Powell maintained an active surgical practice and was a well-respected clinical instructor at PCOM for nearly 30 years before retiring in 1988. Dr. Powell was a former chair of the Surgery Section of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA). Dr. Powell passed away in 2006.
Robert Jama, DO PCOM (1969)
After completing the PCOM General Surgery Residency, Dr. Jama completed training at Hahnemann University Hospital in Trauma Surgery. He was instrumental in developing a curriculum in shock & trauma for the Department of Surgery.
Joanne C. Chinnici, DO (PCOM 1976)
Dr. Chinicci was the first woman to train in general surgery at PCOM. Today she is a Captain in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.
Dr. Arthur Sesso (DO '81) (Center) was the first recipient of the Galen S. Young Chair in Surgery title in 2007. Pictured with Dr. Sesso are Galen D. Young (DO '65) and his wife, Elizabeth.
OR Theater at 19th and Spring Garden, Philadelphia c. 1920
Dr. Pennock reviewing a chart with a young Dr. D'Alonzo looking on.
Dr. Carlton Street in the OR performing a GYN operation.
Operating Room 48th & Spruce, Philadelphia
Trauma Bay at North Center Hospital c.1951
Dr. Henry D' Alonzo in the OR ampitheater at 48th & Spruce
Dr. Thomas Francis A. Powell at the bedside of a patient
