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Lackawanna College is excited to announce its partnerships with the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the City of Scranton, and several regional healthcare organizations to establish the Northeast Pennsylvania Clinical Education Consortium (NEPCEC). This initiative marks a significant milestone in clinical education, aimed at creating a robust healthcare network in the region.

Created for Medical Students and the Community

The NEPCEC welcomed its first cohort of nine medical students from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine on July 1, 2024. With the inaugural group already making strides, next year’s cohort is projected to grow to 20 students, including those from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“This is a unique opportunity, not just for the students, but for our school and community,” Jill Murray, President and Chief Innovation Officer at Lackawanna College said. “The osteopath education is really about local family-practice. It’s about developing doctors at the community level. Our long-term hope for the osteopathic medical students is for them to establish ties to the community, to also pursue a residency here with the Wright Center and to eventually practice in the region.”

Building a Collaborative Effort

Lackawanna College, supported by the Scranton community and the mayor’s office, approached AACOM to identify member colleges of osteopathic medicine willing to participate. This collaborative effort has garnered enthusiasm and support from key stakeholders, setting a precedent for similar initiatives nationwide.

“We are extremely proud to be a part of this innovative and game-changing project,” Robert A. Cain, DO, President and CEO of AACOM said. “Finding high-quality clinical opportunities is a challenge for every medical school, and here the community has come together to create a complete experience for our students. In turn, our students will help bolster the healthcare network in the region and establish ties that could lead to residencies and professional practices there down the road. This win-win scenario has great potential for communities across the country, particularly those with healthcare access equity issues.”

About the NEPCEC

The Consortium comprises five clinical partners and other community groups, led by Lackawanna College in Scranton. It is designed to provide osteopathic medical students with comprehensive support, including living and dining options, academic and logistical support, and dedicated clinical rotation spots.

The approach to clinical rotations is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the entire community. The Consortium has worked diligently to create quality clinical rotations and find preceptors in all clinical specialties from the area.

“Allied Services is proud to play a role in Lackawanna College’s physician development initiative,” William P. Conaboy, President and CEO of Allied Services said. “The partnership with Lackawanna and our other collaborators is essential to advance the pipeline of doctors for our region and fits nicely with our new physician residency program.”

Key Consortium Partners

• Lackawanna College: An accredited undergraduate college with 2,000 degree-seeking students in more than 30 majors, playing a crucial role in developing innovative partnerships to support osteopathic medical students in Scranton.
• Allied Services Healthcare: A system consisting of rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient clinics, offering rotations as an elective.
• Commonwealth Health: Includes two large hospitals in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, providing the majority of teaching rotations.
• Scranton Primary Health Care Center: A Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) offering rotations in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and psychiatry.
• The Wright Center: The largest Teaching Health Center in the nation, providing primary care rotations and OMM training.

“It’s been a pleasure to work with our partnering physicians and healthcare providers to help build an osteopathic physician training network in Northeastern Pennsylvania,” Dr. Frank Kolucki, M.D., Commonwealth Health System Physician & NEPCEC Medical Director said. “The students we have from PCOM and Touro Medical Schools have been eagerly engaged in their training and have brought an excitement and enthusiasm that is very refreshing and exciting to witness.”

About AACOM

Founded in 1898, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) is the leading voice for osteopathic medical education and training. Today, more than 36,000 future physicians—25 percent of all U.S. medical students—are being educated at one of AACOM’s 41 accredited colleges, encompassing 66 teaching locations in 35 states. To learn more about AACOM, please visit AACOM’s website.