Pocono News Section

Orientation Begins at Commonwealth Medical College

Orientation Begins at Commonwealth Medical College - Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 6:25PM EST

Reported by: Mark Hiller
Sunday, Aug 9, 2009 @ 06:25pm EST
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY- Sunday was a historic day for a new medical school in Scranton. The Commonwealth Medical College welcomed enrolled students Sunday before the school holds its first classes on August 17th.

Members of the first freshman class in the history of the Commonwealth Medical College take part in orientation. The 65 enrolled students get their first chance to check out their new temporary home. They'll attend class at Lackawanna College -- before TCMC's 120-million dollar medical sciences building is ready.

President and Dean Dr. Robert D'Alessandri said, "We've renovated and modernized the rooms and the facilities that we're using here so they will have state of the art education, state of the art equipment and we're going to be able to take most of the equipment we have here -- in fact all of the equipment, and bring it to our new facility when it opens in a year and a half."

Class size will about double by then but for now students get to enjoy a smaller student to teacher ratio. Freshman John Kotula said, "You get small groups and really get to know your professors, you get to know the other students and I think that will just increase the level of education."

The Commonwealth Medical College faculty's been busy lately preparing for the fall semester -- including putting the finishing touches on its community-based curriculum. Dr. Richard English, Associate Dean of Regional Campus Development, Wilkes-Barre said, "And the idea is to get the students out into the community as very early in their careers just as you say to hopefully fall in love with the community. They want to stay there or come back after their training. Their 3rd and 4th years will be spent exclusively in each one of the regions... Williamsport, Wilkes-Barre and Scranton."

Associate Dean Student Affairs Dr. David Axler said, "The students are pumped, we're pumped and we're just looking forward to a wonderful experience during this first week and for the next 4-years in helping these kids achieve what they came here to achieve and that's to become a medical doctor."

TCMC Freshman John Kotula sees the college as more than just a boon for higher education in the area. "It'll bring money for the economy, it'll bring some intellectual power to the area, hopefully kids will stay in the area, too, to practice medicine in an area where there is a physician shortage," he said.

The orientation for students also includes a stay at Camp Ladore in Waymart, Wayne County. Organizers hope it'll serve as a bonding experience for students and faculty.