Phi Sigma Gamma (ΦΣΓ or PSG) is an American men's osteopathic medical fraternity.[2]
Phi Sigma Gamma was established in Chicago, Illinois[3] by a merger between two previously existing osteopathic fraternities, Phi Sigma Beta and Phi Omicron Gamma, each of which had three chapters at the time.[2] The date of the merger has been reported both as 1915[2] and as April 1916.[3] The mission of Phi Sigma Gamma is to facilitate the creation and maintenance of professional, as well as social, relationships between medical students and practicing physicians.
The Phi chapter at Texas A&M University was founded by Thomas Bizzell, the son of the university President William Bizzell. The fraternity was originally formed in the academic year of 1915–1916 with president Bizzell's home in Bryan as a base of operations. A seventh chapter was added to the original six in 1917.[2]
In the 21st century, the only remaining chapter is the Zeta chapter at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM); it is also the only fraternity remaining at PCOM. The PSG headquarters is at 270 W. Walnut Lane in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[4]
The fraternity's colors are blue and black. Its motto is Mens et Manus.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the Zeta chapter at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine was adjacent to the campus on 48th Street in Philadelphia.
The fraternity negotiated to purchase the Phelan Mansion in the 1976–1977 academic year. The former Phelan Mansion had been converted into a long-term care nursing facility but no longer met the codes for a nursing facility. In the fall of 1977, Phi Sigma Gamma moved into its new chapter house at 270 W. Walnut Lane in Philadelphia.
Membership is open to all male students of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.[5]
In the following list, active chapters are noted in bold and inactive chapters are noted by italics.[2][6]
In 1919, to protest the United States entering World War I, Phi chapter changed the order of its Greek letters to "GPS," rather than PSG.
In 1941, freshman student Brian Michael Fitz died of alcohol poisoning at the Phi chapter at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. The university revoked the fraternity's official status.