Seeing both of her parents undergo cancer treatment initially inspired Kristina D.
Grant, MS/Biomed '23, to pursue a healthcare career. As she continued her educational
journey at Columbia College in Columbia, South Carolina, earning a BS degree in biology
with a minor in chemistry and political science, she learned about and experienced
inequalities and barriers to health care, which strengthened her resolve to continue
down this path.
Grant chose the biomedical sciences program at PCOM Georgia because she said, “I wanted to enroll in a program that would prepare me for the rigor of medical school. Having similar courses as first year DO students that are taught by the same faculty is a huge advantage that will allow me to succeed in the future.”
She added, “Some of the first-year courses were directly applicable to increasing my knowledge in areas and subjects that would be tested on the Medical College Admission Test. That, along with the proximity to my hometown of Columbia, South Carolina, made PCOM Georgia the perfect school for me.”
Grant will continue at PCOM Georgia, along with her twin sister, Katherine C. Grant, MS/Biomed '23, as she begins the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program as a member of the DO Class of 2027.
“I am confident that the biomedical sciences program has made me a better student and I am grateful for the faculty who have supported me in my journey to medical school,” she reflected.
Some of the most meaningful activities that she has been involved in on campus include serving as the historian and publicity chair on the Graduate Council; serving as secretary of the Graduates Representing Academic Achievement Diversity and Service; being selected as a member of Alpha Epsilon Lambda graduate honor society, working as an academic assistant in the anatomy lab, and serving as a diversity diplomat with the Office of Diversity and Community Partnerships.
Outside of PCOM Georgia, Grant spends one week every summer working as a senior counselor with the American Legion Auxiliary Palmetto Girls State. Girls State is a week-long, residential summer program for rising high school seniors in South Carolina that teaches students about local and state government and leadership.
She offers the following advice to those interested in the biomedical sciences program. “Fully buy in to the culture of the program and PCOM Georgia as a whole. The faculty are there to support you in your endeavors. Trust the process, even when it gets difficult and you will be amazed how much you can grow both personally and professionally in two short years.”
She is grateful to her parents, family and friends for “their unwavering support. Having a strong support system is invaluable and they have helped me get to where I am today.” She also thanked her mentor, Richard White, PhD, FAHA, chair of the Department of Bio-Medical Sciences at PCOM Georgia. “Dr. White's guidance and support played an integral role in the success of my capstone project,” she said.
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