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                                                                   Exhibit 10.78

                                 January 8, 1998

                            PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL

Mr. Vince Pisano
Educational Medical, Inc.
1327 Northmeadow Parkway
Suite 132
Roswell, GA 30076

         Re:      Educational Medical, Inc. (the "Company")
                  Various Compensation Issues

Dear Vince:

         The Board of Directors (the "Board") of the Company has requested me to
set forth the agreement reached between the Board, on behalf of the Company, and
yourself concerning various compensation issues relating to any sale or change
in control of the Company resulting from the current undertaking to find a
strategic or financial buyer (an "Investment Transaction").

         If the Company completes any Investment Transaction with respect to
which the aggregate gross consideration per share (the "Purchase Price Per
Share") with respect to each share of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
equals or exceeds $10.00 per share, you and Mr. Kerber will receive, pro rata
based on your then current regular cash compensation, $500,000 plus 2% of the
amount by the total Purchase Price Per Share for all then outstanding shares
exceeds $10.00 per share. These payments will be made to you and Mr. Kerber
simultaneously with the closing of the Investment Transaction, but only if the
Board determines that each of you has made a good faith effort to complete the
Investment Transaction as intended and have taken no action which reasonably
could be considered as intended to impair the completion of the Investment
Transaction.

         Should you be terminated from your employment with the Company for any
reason other than for cause within twelve (12) months after the closing of an
Investment Transaction, you will receive monthly payments equaling one year's
salary, at your regular cash compensation level at the time of termination,
after offsetting any cash compensation you receive from any other employment or
consulting activities during such period. A reduction in salary or material
change in responsibility, exclusive of change in title only (e.g., becoming the
chief financial officer of a division operating substantially all of the
Company's business but without the title of Chief Financial Officer or
Vice-President), will constitute


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Mr. Vince Pisano                                       PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
January 8, 1998
Page 2

termination other than for cause. As Chief Financial Officer of the Company,
except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, all other terms of your
employment will be subject to the same employment terms contained in Mr.
Kerber's current employment contract.

         In the event that your employment with the Company is terminated
without cause within the twelve (12) month period following the completion of an
Investment Transaction, health and related benefits will be continued by the
Company for twelve (12) months following date of termination. Such health and
related benefits shall be continued at the level in place on the date of
termination. Additionally, the Company will provide, upon request, outplacement
services at a cost not to exceed $35,000.

         Stock options concerns have been addressed by separate correspondence.

         Should any element of this agreement be proposed for amendment by
management at a later date, all elements will be subject to reconsideration.

         If the above accurately reflects your understanding of the agreement
between yourself and the Board, please sign the enclosed duplicate copy of this
letter and return it to me at your earliest convenience.

                                           Sincerely,

                                           /s/ Morris C. Brown
                                           Morris C. Brown, Secretary

Acknowledged and Agreed:


        /s/ Vince Pisano
--------------------------------
Vince Pisano

Date: January 8, 1998