Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - Synapsis Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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m u-nm DR O. J. SNYDER 1899-1908 DEAN C. J. MUTTART 1908-1911 With the incorporation of the Phihidelphia Col- lege and Infirmary of Osteopathy on the 24th of Janu- ary, 1899, came the realization of the dreams of its founders, Dr. O. J. Snyder and Dr. M. W. Pressly. The first classes were held in offices in the Stephen Girard Building, 21 So. 12th Street, by a faculty of seven professors. The first class of two stvidents gradu- ated in 1900. In 1902 Dr. James E. Burt served as Dean of the College, which was then located in larger quarters at the Witherspoon Building. The next year the college was relocated at 33rd and Arch Streets, and Dr. Charles W. McCurdy became Dean, filling the Deanship from 1903-1908. From 1908 until 1916, the school was physically shifted to various locations within the city. During this period the Osteopathic Hospital of Philadelpha was incorporated and became a basic adjunct to the school. In 1911 when Dr. Arthur M. Flack, Sr., became Dean of the school, there were 250 graduates of the Philadelphia College and Infirmary scattered through- out the United States. By the year 1924 an equal number had been graduated. The school was now located adjacent to the 50-bed hospital in the vicinity of 19th and Spring Garden Streets. In January, 1929, a public campaign for funds met the needs for a new hospital and college building at its present site at Forty-eighth and Spruce Streets. The new college building was opened to classes Novem- DEAN A. M. FLACK, SR. 1911-1924

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nn sun ber 16, 1929, under the deanship of Dr. Edgar O. Holden. During his administration until 1943 a total of 13 50 students were graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathy. Dr. Otterbein Dressier assumed the Deanship in 1944 and served in that capacity until March, 195 0. After a period of adjustment, where the duties of the Dean were capably handled by various members of the administration and faculty. Dean Sherwood Mercer was installed on March 15, 1954. The alumni family of P.C.O. now totals 2368, including this class. In 1-951, the five buildings now comprising the North Center Division of P.C.O. were purchased, and have added appreciably to the clinical and hospital facilities available to the school.. Another important step in the progress of the school resulted from the amalgamation of the college and hospital in August, 1953. The acquisition of a new school building site at Forty-seventh and Spruce Streets in November, 19 53, makes possible the expansion of the hospital at Forty- eighth and Spruce Streets by 200 beds. The new school building will be a six-story structure and will contain adequate facilities including laboratories and clinics. This briefly summarizes the rapid growth of our school, and its future seems well assured. It is hoped that the dreams and plans of its founders have been partially fulfilled, and that their traditions will be con- tinued by this and future graduating classes. DEAN E. O. HOLDEN 1924-1943 DEAN O. DRESSLER 1944-1950 DEAN S. R. MERCER 1954-