Alleluia Nishimwe (DO '26) said the most valuable lesson she's learned while enrolled as an osteopathic medical student at PCOM South Georgia is how to persevere.
“The road has been far from smooth,” she explained. “I have had some great moments and some lows along the way, but I am constantly encouraged not to give up.”
Nishimwe completed clinical rotations at Colquitt Regional Medical Center in Moultrie, Georgia. During an event last fall, the Colquitt County Medical Society named her their Medical Student of the Year.
“I was humbled,” Nishimwe said. “I had purposed in my heart… to walk into every rotation with excitement and a willingness to learn. Dr. Soderstrom shared a story about my quick action in patient care. I remember thinking, I was freaking out inside the whole time! I wanted to take care of each patient in a way I would want my loved ones treated.”
Dr. Dresden Soderstrom, Sterling Physician Group General and Bariatric Surgeon, stated, “Alleluia was truly a joy to work with during her General Surgery rotation. She was not only a phenomenal student but also someone who brought curiosity, dedication, and a positive spirit to every case. Her eagerness to learn and her ability to connect with both patients and colleagues made her stand out. I have no doubt that she will go on to do incredible things in her medical career.”
For Nishimwe, the award is confirmation that she's on the right path.
“This award helped solidify in my mind that although I do not have all the answers, I am learning from great minds that are helping prepare me for my future as an attending physician.”
Nishimwe earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing at Wichita State University before enrolling in medical school at PCOM South Georgia.
“I chose PCOM South Georgia for its proximity to my family, but also because a student encouraged me to apply and spoke highly of the support she received during her tenure here,” she explained. “I chose osteopathy because I believe there is more to health than just the body—scars and damages that our minds carry that need to be addressed to truly ‘feel alive.’”
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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