Ethan Lawson (DO '27), an osteopathic medical student at PCOM Georgia, recently returned to his childhood roots and gave back in a special way. Enlisting other members of PCOM Georgia's Pediatrics and Surgery clubs, Lawson organized a volunteer effort at Hillside Elementary in Roswell, the school he once attended as a child.
“It was a full-circle moment,” Lawson shared, recalling the experience of returning to his educational origins, except now as a medical student. “It was really cool for my teachers to see how far I've come, after all the time they invested in teaching me.”
The collaboration, spearheaded by Lawson, was part of the school's TAG (Talented and Gifted) program, where elementary students learn about different subjects through a hands-on approach. The school was in the middle of their "mini med school" unit, which focuses on learning about the human body.
“We had just finished our gastrointestinal (GI) unit too, and it was crazy how much overlap there was,” Lawson laughed, reflecting on how both elementary and medical students were working through similar systems at the same time.
PCOM Georgia medical students walked the elementary students through heart dissections, teaching the students the common structures of the heart and giving the kids a chance to touch and hold the heart.
“We knew this would be a great chance for the Surgery Club and Pediatrics Club to step in. It gave us an opportunity to teach anatomy in a way that was fun and accessible for young students,” Lawson explained. “Seeing the kids' faces light up when they saw us in our white coats made it all worthwhile.”
“The volunteers from PCOM Georgia were instrumental in making this event a success, helping our students gain a deeper understanding of how the circulatory system works.” said Michele Mark, Lead TAG teacher at Hillside Elementary School. “This experience not only enriched their learning but also created lasting memories that they will carry with them for years to come.”
Lawson hopes to return for future volunteer opportunities.
“This was the first year we did this, but I can definitely see us doing more. It's a great way to extend PCOM Georgia's presence, especially in areas like Alpharetta and Roswell,” he said. “For me, going back to where I started my educational journey was incredibly meaningful. It's amazing to be a part of something that’s inspiring the next generation.”
Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year history dedicated to the healthcare professions. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
Gabrielle DePietro
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Email: gabrielde2@pcom.edu
Phone: 484-886-9554
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