PCOM South Georgia: A Commitment to the Community

February 9, 2023

Since becoming a part of the Moultrie community in 2019, PCOM South Georgia has expanded its program offerings, supported community wellness, recruited local and diverse students and welcomed its first class of alumni.

The region’s medical school has spent its time in Moultrie training students to become physicians through the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program—something Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine has been doing for more than 100 years.

DOs are complete physicians who, along with Doctors of Medicine (MDs), are licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery in all 50 states. But DOs bring something extra to medicine—a holistic approach to patient care. Most DOs are family-oriented primary care physicians who often practice in small towns and rural areas, caring for entire families and communities just like Moultrie.

In order to prepare students for medical school, PCOM South Georgia began offering a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences in 2020. The graduate program is designed to increase professional and academic opportunities and facilitate students' successful entry into their chosen career paths. Graduate students take medical school-level courses and receive professional degree training while also having opportunities to conduct research and volunteer in the community.

It’s that holistic approach and commitment to community wellness that provides opportunities for PCOM South Georgia students to deliver free health screenings and health education to their neighbors in the place they call home. Through PCOM’s Community Wellness Initiative, the College supports students volunteering their time and talents to local residents.

The students who volunteer in the community do so because they have a love for underserved communities. In fact, many students come from similar backgrounds. This year, one-third of incoming students came from medically underserved areas and health professional shortage areas—geographic areas or populations that have a shortage of primary, dental or mental health care providers. The College also makes a concerted effort to recruit students from the state, with over 70 percent of this year’s incoming students being from Georgia.

Last summer, PCOM South Georgia graduated its first class of biomedical sciences students. The group became the campus’ first alumni. Half of the class went into their chosen profession upon graduation and the other half continued their education in the DO program.

Now, Dean and Chief Academic Officer, H. William Craver III, DO ‘87, looks forward to continued growth and success.

This year the inaugural DO class will participate in the campus’ first Match Day and commencement ceremony before leaving to complete their residency training.

“We’ve had a number of historical moments since opening in 2019, and 2023 is going to be no different,” Dr. Craver said. “I know I speak for everyone at our campus when I say we look forward to seeing our students continue their commitment to the community and their profession.”

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