Drexel University College of Medicine: A Legacy of Innovation, Opportunity, and Community Engagement

Drexel University College of Medicine stands as a testament to the evolving landscape of medical education. Its rich history, stemming from the merger of pioneering institutions, reflects a commitment to providing opportunities for diverse students and addressing the ever-changing healthcare needs of society. This article delves into the college's historical roots, its mission, its curriculum, and its ongoing commitment to community engagement.

Historical Overview: From Homeopathy to Comprehensive Care

The Drexel University College of Medicine's story is one of convergence, beginning with two distinct medical schools: Hahnemann Medical College and Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania (WMCP).

Hahnemann Medical College: Embracing Innovation

In 1848, three homeopathic physicians-Constantine Hering, Jacob Jeanes, and Walter Williamson-laid the foundation for what would become Hahnemann Medical College. They started by offering M.D. and H.M.D degrees to 15 students. The institution was initially known as the Homeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania. It was renamed Hahnemann Medical College in honor of Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of homeopathic medicine. While initially focused on homeopathy, the college eventually broadened its scope, embracing orthodox medical science and practice. The school welcomed students of all backgrounds. By the late 1920s, the homeopathic focus was gone, but the attention to excellent student preparation lived on.

Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania: A Pioneer in Women's Education

WMCP was founded in 1850 as Female Medical College of Pennsylvania; the name changed in 1867 to WMCP. Founded by Quaker businessmen, clergy, and physicians in Philadelphia, "Woman's Med" or MCP was thus the first medical school incorporated in the United States founded specifically to provide medical education exclusively for women. It opened its doors to the first class of women students on October 12, 1850. It holds the distinction of being the second medical institution worldwide established to train women in medicine and award them the M.D. degree. The college provided educational opportunity to a diverse cohort of women. Woman's Med trained physicians who practiced all over the globe, creating a corps of impressive female clinicians and scientists to serve as faculty and leaders in medicine.

The establishment of WMCP was a bold step, as female physician training faced opposition from the male-dominated medical establishment. Despite the challenges, WMCP thrived, becoming a beacon of opportunity for women seeking careers in medicine. After 120 years, the school became co-educational in 1970 under the name Medical College of Pennsylvania, or MCP. MCP won renown for educational innovation and research, including in women's health, and continued to advance the standing of women scientists and physicians.

Merger and Affiliation with Drexel University

In 1993, the Medical College of Pennsylvania merged with Hahnemann University, creating four fully accredited schools: the School of Medicine, Graduate School, School of Allied Health Professions, and the School of Continuing Education. The combined institution became the first medical school in the country to completely integrate women's health issues into its curriculum.

Also in that year MCP and Hahnemann University became part of Allegheny Health Education and Research Foundation (AHERF) and were integrated into the Allegheny University of the Health Sciences (AUHS), which included facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In October 1998, in an historic reorganization, the AHERF hospitals were sold to Tenet Healthcare Corporation, a for-profit hospital corporation based in Texas. A new non-profit corporation, Philadelphia Health & Education Corporation (PHEC), was created to carry on the education, research, and service missions under the name MCP Hahnemann University.

After operating MCP Hahnemann University for three and one-half years, the Drexel Board of Trustees agreed to make its relationship with MCP Hahnemann permanent. On July 1, 2002, two of the MCP Hahnemann schools-the College of Nursing and Health Professions and the School of Public Health-formally became integrated with Drexel, and PHEC continued to operate as a legal affiliate of Drexel under its new name, Drexel University College of Medicine. Shortly thereafter, the Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania approved the transfer to Drexel University of all degree-granting authority that had previously been vested in MCP Hahnemann University. Drexel University, itself an historic institution, assumed management of this new academic entity. Like MCP and Hahnemann, Drexel University had its roots in the provision of opportunity. Financier Anthony J. Drexel founded the Drexel Institute of Art, Science and Industry in 1891 to offer practical education to men and women without regard to socioeconomic status, race or religion. The institute evolved into a university known for excellence in engineering and technology and for its cooperative education program - one of the first of its kind and among the most highly regarded in the nation.

In 2019, Hahnemann University Hospital was closed due to the bankruptcy of its owner, American Academic Health System (AAHS). In the wake of the closure, Drexel University and the College of Medicine developed plans for the continued training of our medical students at other affiliated hospitals. The collaboration between Drexel and Tower Health also took the form of an academic affiliation agreement, which resulted in a four-year regional medical campus, the College of Medicine at Tower Health, in West Reading, Pennsylvania.

Mission and Values: Shaping Future Healthcare Leaders

Drexel University College of Medicine is dedicated to fostering inclusive, culturally responsive care experiences for students, faculty, and professional staff, with an emphasis on medical innovation. The College is committed to addressing the needs of its local communities, whether through clinics that serve people experiencing homelessness, victims of domestic violence, or those who lack access to care. The College of Medicine’s emphasis on translational research, and integrating clinical and basic sciences, significantly strengthens Drexel's collective contribution to meeting the health care needs of society.

Read also: Drexel University Scholarships

The college's mission is further reflected in its commitment to:

Excellence in Education: Providing a rigorous and innovative curriculum that prepares students for the challenges of modern healthcare.
Cutting-Edge Research: Advancing medical knowledge through basic, translational, and clinical research.
Community Engagement: Serving the healthcare needs of the Philadelphia community and beyond, with a focus on underserved populations.
Diversity and Inclusion: Creating a welcoming and supportive environment for students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds.

Curriculum: Foundations and Frontiers

The College of Medicine follows a systems-based curriculum that is graded pass/fail. Beginning with the 2017-18 school year, the MD program transitioned into a curriculum known as "Foundations and Frontiers". Designed to train physicians that are adept at navigating the increasingly multidisciplinary healthcare system of tomorrow, this new curriculum includes essential emerging competencies such as an understanding of population health, health informatics, and health care systems and financing.

The curriculum emphasizes:

Early Clinical Exposure: Providing students with opportunities to interact with patients early in their medical education.
Interdisciplinary Learning: Encouraging collaboration between students from different healthcare disciplines.
Problem-Based Learning: Engaging students in active learning through case studies and simulations.
Community-Based Education: Exposing students to healthcare challenges and opportunities in diverse community settings.

Facilities and Resources: A Hub for Medical Education and Research

Drexel University College of Medicine offers a variety of clinical sites to its third- and fourth-year students. Operating large urban hospitals and small rural private practices, the university provides numerous opportunities for the students to be exposed to many diverse experiences. During third-year rotations, the students have the option to stay at a particular hospital for the entire year, or rotate among all the various locations throughout the Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware area.

Key Facilities

Health Sciences Building: In 2022, the university opened a 12-story, 460,000 square foot Health Sciences Building in University City, where the main campus is located. This building houses the University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, College of Medicine, and Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies. The Health Sciences Building will be primarily used by students during their preclinical training.
Queen Lane Campus: The College of Medicine's main campus was at the Queen Lane campus of the former Woman's Medical College of Pennsylvania. This campus housed first and second-year medical students as well as biomedical graduate students and is located in a suburban-like setting in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia.
Center City Hahnemann Campus: The Center City Hahnemann Campus, located in downtown Philadelphia, was the main site for the college's clinical education departments in addition to biomedical facilities and other health-science and public health programs. Hahnemann University Hospital anchors the Center City Hahnemann Campus, along with the Outpatient Clinics, Lecture Halls, and Residence Hall.
Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health: Located in Berks County, Pennsylvania, Drexel University College of Medicine at Tower Health is affiliated with Reading Hospital, which is a Magnet Recognized acute care facility.

Advanced Resources

Independence Blue Cross Medical Simulation Center: The simulation center, funded in part through a $2.5 million donation from Independence Blue Cross, features lifelike robots and screen-based simulation programs. The computer-driven robotic mannequins, called high-fidelity patient simulators, exhibit lifelike vital signs, including heartbeats, blood pressures, and body and eye movements. They can be programmed to display a variety of normal and abnormal conditions and to respond realistically to student interventions such as intubation, drug injection, or cardiac defibrillation.
Office of Continuing Medical Education: Drexel's Office of Continuing Medical Education offers the only Physician Refresher/Re-Entry Course on the East Coast for physicians intending to re-enter the workforce after years of inactive practice.

Community Engagement: Addressing Healthcare Disparities

Drexel University College of Medicine is deeply committed to serving the healthcare needs of the Philadelphia community. The college operates several clinics and programs that provide care to underserved populations.

Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice

The Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice strives to be a comprehensive clinic where patients can get multiple medical needs met in a one-stop-shop format. The Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice celebrated 30 years of care with an anniversary art show in late 2023. In honor of World AIDS Day 2022, December 1, Drexel Medicine's Partnership Comprehensive Care Practice will be tabling at Leon H.

Drexel HOPE's Mobile Medical Unit

Drexel HOPE’s mobile medical unit offers services for opioid use disorder with a multidisciplinary team of providers, peer specialists, and case workers who connect Philadelphians with the care and resources they need.

Other Initiatives

COVID-19 Testing: Experience, resourcefulness and sheer luck enabled a crew of students and faculty from the College of Medicine to fill an urgent need for COVID testing in Philadelphia early in the pandemic.
Drexel Internal Medicine and Student Health Center: The Drexel Internal Medicine practice at 219 North Broad Street and Drexel University’s Student Health Center have rejoined the clinical practices of the College of Medicine. Previously managed by Tower Health Medical Group, the practices returned to Drexel effective July 1, which ensures continuation of these needed services and reflects Drexel’s mission-driven approach to student and population health in Philadelphia.

Notable Alumni: Shaping the Future of Medicine

The Drexel University College of Medicine and its predecessor medical schools have graduated physicians who have made significant contributions to healthcare and society. Among the notable alumni are:

Susan La Flesche Picotte: The first Native American female physician.
Anandi Gopal Joshi: The first Indian female physician in the United States.
Tabat M. Islambooly: The first Syrian female physician in the United States.
Rebecca Cole: The second African-American female physician in the United States.
Patricia Robertson: A NASA astronaut and physician.
Sandra Lee: A dermatologist who became an Internet celebrity and star of the TLC TV series Dr.

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