From the start of her medical journey, Sarah Hafiz (DO '25) knew she wanted to become a physician who could make a meaningful impact on patients' lives. She was drawn to internal medicine for its depth and variety, offering the opportunity to manage both acute and chronic conditions while forming lasting relationships with patients. As she prepares to begin her residency at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, she is excited to build on the foundation she developed at PCOM.
“Internal medicine offers such a wide breadth of opportunities, from managing complex diseases to focusing on preventive care,” she shared. “And I love that I have the flexibility to pursue a fellowship in the future.”
On Match Day, Hafiz felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. The years of studying, long nights, and moments of doubt had led to this achievement, and she was proud of how far she had come. Reflecting on her time at PCOM, she credits the faculty and support system for preparing her for this next step.
“One of the biggest lessons I learned was to never shy away from asking for help—preferably as early as possible,” she said. That mindset, she believes, will be invaluable as she transitions into residency and takes on new challenges in patient care.
For incoming medical students just starting their journey, Hafiz emphasizes the importance of building strong relationships and utilizing available resources. “Find kind-hearted mentors, and don't hesitate to reach out to PCOM tutoring as soon as possible,” she advised.
As she takes this next step in her training, Hafiz is eager to apply all she has learned, caring for patients with compassion and continuing to grow as a physician in a field that offers endless learning opportunities.
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.
Ally Wengel
Public Relations Manager
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: allywe@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6325
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