From Scranton to the Nation: A New Model for Clinical Education
How a Pennsylvania partnership is strengthening physician training and healthcare access
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 10:00-11:30 AM ET
Across the country, communities are searching for new ways to expand clinical education and strengthen the physician workforce.
In Northeastern Pennsylvania, hospitals, medical schools, higher education institutions and local government chose an innovative approach, working together to build the Northeast Pennsylvania Clinical Education Consortium (NEPA-CEC). Two years later, they’re seeing results.
On Wednesday, August 12, the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) and NEPA-CEC partners will host a media event in Scranton showcasing how the consortium's collaborative model offers an alternative to the increasingly costly and competitive approaches many medical schools now face when securing clinical training opportunities.
The timing is significant. The event comes as new AACOM research finds that nearly three-quarters of osteopathic medical school deans say securing clinical training sites has become harder over the past five years. Most schools are responding by sending students farther from campus and paying more for rotations, approaches the report suggests are increasingly difficult to sustain. The NEPA-CEC offers a different model.
The event brings together the public, healthcare and medical education leaders responsible for creating the consortium, including:
- Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti
- Jill Murray, PhD, president of Lackawanna College
- Radha Savitala, president and chairman of the board, Tenor Health Foundation
- Linda Thomas-Hemak, MD, president and CEO of The Wright Centers for Community Health and Graduate Medical Education
- Frank Kolucki, MD, chief medical officer of Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton
- Peter Bidey, DO, dean and chief academic officer of the PCOM Osteopathic Medicine Program
- Mark Speicher, PhD, senior vice president of research, learning and innovation at AACOM
- David Karpe, Class of 2028 medical student, University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine
- Dalila Zigani, Class of 2028 medical student, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
The August 12 event will explore how NEPA-CEC partners expanded clinical training opportunities through collaboration rather than competition, and what lessons their experience may hold for other communities facing similar workforce challenges. Media will also hear directly from consortium leaders about the initiative's early outcomes, lessons learned and benefits to the community.
What: NEPA-CEC Media Event – From Scranton to the Nation: A New Model for Clinical Education
When: Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 10:00–11:30 AM ET
Where: Commonwealth Health Regional Hospital of Scranton, General Services Building, McGowan Conference Center First Floor, 743 Jefferson Ave, Scranton, PA 18510
Virtual attendance is available for credentialed media.
A draft agenda is attached with additional event details. Opening remarks will be delivered by Mayor Paige Cognetti, followed by a panel discussion moderated by Lackawanna College President Jill Murray, PhD, featuring leaders from across the consortium.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Christine DeCarlo
AACOM Senior Manager of Media and Public Affairs
cdecarlo@aacom.org
(202) 603-1026
