Women in Medicine Month 
Victoria A. Troncoso, DO

September 15, 2022

During September, which is the American Medical Association's Women in Medicine month, PCOM recognizes our women physicians who serve as faculty members and role models for our students across all three of our campuses in Philadelphia, Suwanee and Moultrie. PCOM Georgia has selected a representative "Woman in Medicine" to feature in a web story, however we honor and celebrate all of our physicians and student doctors and their commitment to advancing equity and creating change.

Victoria A. Troncoso, DO, serves as professor and chair of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine (OMM) at PCOM Georgia. In this position, she oversees the OMM department and directs all aspects of the OMM educational program at PCOM Georgia for students, faculty and staff.

Additionally Dr. Troncoso serves as the medical director of the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, a specialty clinic at PCOM Georgia.

Most recently, Dr. Troncoso served as an associate professor and the chair of the Osteopathic Principles and Practice Department at AT Still University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Mesa, Arizona. She also founded the Osteopathic Medical Center of Scottsdale, Arizona, and holds a patent on a posture retaining back brace.

Who encouraged you to pursue a career in medicine?

My grandmother encouraged me. She wanted to be a physician in a time when that was not easily done. She cared for the animals on her farm, including providing veterinary care. She was not allowed to move to the ‘big city’ to go to medical school. She became a teacher because that was the career offered at her local college. While she loved teaching, she had a lifelong love of medicine, and always encouraged me to follow my dreams.

I have done both. I love osteopathic medicine, and I love teaching.

How are you creating change as a woman in medicine?

I feel this is such an important role. One of the ways I make an impact is by mentoring young women in their roles and by encouraging them to ask questions, not be afraid to implement changes, and respectfully challenge the inequities. In essence, I encourage young women in medicine to be heard and to be change agents for the good of the whole.

When I started out, childcare in the work place was not available. Balancing being a physician and a mother was so difficult, and I had no one to look to for advice on this. I created my private practice in a way that I could bring my children to work with me, in a safe space, and this worked very well while they were younger. Many young women have come to me with these same issues over the years. Women bring such a unique and nurturing aspect to medical care, and allowing balance with work and home life is so important so that women do not feel that they must choose one or the other. Medicine would suffer if that were the case. It is equally important for women physicians to model for patients how a work/home life balance may be achieved.

How can you support other women in medicine?

Through education, communication, availability of resources, sharing, mentoring and being kind to each other. So much in medicine begins competitively. As students, residents and physicians, it is time to let go of past standards and support each other in our roles with respect and kindness. The osteopathic oath has a section that says:

“I will endeavor to work in accord with my colleagues in a spirit of progressive cooperation and never by word or by act cast imputations upon them or their rightful practices.”

This is so important. We should share our stories and our histories. I feel, as women, we can enhance the professional workspace by bringing who we are and our support and acceptance of others. We should model communication and acceptance. If these simple, basic pretexts govern our daily actions, patient care will change. Ultimately, expectations on future patient care and professional interactions will change as attitudes and times progress. 

What has your experience been like being a woman in medicine at PCOM?

PCOM has a very inclusive environment. The administration has been extremely kind and supportive of me in my new role. I feel they listen, support and have faculty interests, but more importantly, student interests at the forefront.

As a woman, I feel supported and valued for my input. I am very grateful to be a part of this organization. I am acknowledged as a respected, professional colleague, which is exactly the equality and inclusiveness that women are seeking.

What advice would you give to a young woman who is interested in becoming a physician?

Go for it!

I have always been extremely grateful for my osteopathic education and profession. This has sustained me in hard times emotionally and otherwise. Being an osteopathic physician is a privilege and it is always new. There is no other profession like it. No other profession allows the participation and care in another human being’s life like being an osteopathic physician. I practiced 30 years in an osteopathic internal medicine practice. I feel like I made a difference in the lives of many people. That is extremely gratifying. Now I am hoping to help students, especially women, find a similar experience.

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