Originally from Albany, Georgia, Randall Morris Sheffield (DO ’25) was one of the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine students sitting at a table in the multipurpose room on the campus of the Philadelphia College of Medicine’s South Georgia campus during Match Day on March 21. In his hand he held an envelope containing information that would set the trajectory for his career as a physician.
Sheffield was one of thousands of medical students across the nation who participated in the National Resident Matching Program, which included many months of applications and interviews. It all culminated in that moment when NRMP participants learned their future medical specialty field and training location.
Sheffield’s journey began long before he first stepped onto the PCOM South Georgia campus in Moultrie.
“Growing up I saw different medical conditions in both my parents,” he stated. “That caused me to have some curiosity. I also loved studying human anatomy and physiology in school. My parents raised my brothers and me to help people. During my senior year in high school, my English teacher suggested that I combine all of those into being a doctor, and that inspired me to pursue medicine.”
Sheffield could have studied medicine far from home, but he stayed close to Albany.
“I chose PCOM South Georgia because I appreciated the possibility of being in a smaller rural community,” he said. “My goal is to give back to an underserved area. Also, I loved that it is a smaller school with a small class size. I knew I would get that one-on-one interaction with the professors, faculty and staff.”
During the Match Day celebration on campus, participants listened to speeches from administrators congratulating the soon-to-be graduates on their success in nearly completing four years of medical school. The last speaker to approach the podium was Destiny Sciuva (DO '25), president of the DO Class of 2025. After she finished, Sciuva led the countdown to noon. Then every student with an envelope opened it.
Sheffield’s letter revealed that he will train in family medicine at Lakeland Regional Hospital in Lakeland, Florida.
“When I opened that envelope, I felt very humbled, grateful, and of course, excited,” he stated.
Sheffield said PCOM South Georgia prepared him for his residency by pushing him beyond what he thought were his limits so that he could become the best physician possible. For students following in his footsteps, he had a piece of advice.
“No matter what obstacles come your way, you can overcome them if you don’t give up,” he said.
In 2019, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a premier osteopathic medical school established in 1899, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing PCOM South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, PCOM South Georgia offers both a full, four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. PCOM is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining PCOM Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, PCOM South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.
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Cindy B. Montgomery
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Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: cindymo@pcom.edu
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