The Northeast Pennsylvania Clinical Education Consortium (NEPA-CEC) is a collaborative, community-based medical education initiative designed to expand and enrich clinical training opportunities for osteopathic medical students. Led by Lackawanna College in partnership with AACOM and participating Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (COMs)—including the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (UNE), Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), and Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine (Middletown and Montana)—the NEPA-CEC provides all core rotations for third-year osteopathic medical students in the Northeastern Pennsylvania region. It fosters a supportive learning community where students feel a sense of belonging. Long-term goals include addressing physician workforce shortages, improving community health outcomes, and contributing to the economic revitalization of the Scranton, Pennsylvania region.
The Consortium facilitates third-year clinical rotations for students from multiple COMs at healthcare sites throughout Scranton, the Lackawanna River Valley, and the rural health systems of NEPA including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The program integrates clinical education with community-based research, professional development for preceptors, and interprofessional learning experiences, all within a context of social accountability and regional engagement.
Program Goals
- To provide high-quality, community-based clinical education experiences that meet or exceed COCA accreditation standards.
- To prepare students for residency and independent clinical practice through observed, guided, hands-on training in diverse medical disciplines.
- To support physician preceptors with academic affiliation, professional development, and incentives that promote long-term engagement.
- To foster a sense of belonging, well-being, and professional identity development among medical students.
Learning Outcomes
Students participating in the SCEC will:
- Demonstrate competency in core clinical skills and medical knowledge across major specialties.
- Apply principles of osteopathic medicine, including OMM, in a variety of patient care settings.
- Engage with community health challenges, identifying social and environmental factors affecting health.
- Collaborate effectively in interprofessional teams to deliver patient-centered care.
- Participate in service-learning and community-based research projects.
- Exhibit professional behavior, reflective practice, and commitment to lifelong learning.