PCOM South Georgia Students Awarded for Academic, Civic Excellence
May 31, 2023Students receiving honors include (from left) Griffin Clyatt, DO ’23; Pavan Patel,
DO ’23; Jasmine Rogers, DO ’23; Ravi Soni, DO ’23; William Brewster, DO ’23; Max Kabolowsky,
DO ’23; Chizoba Akunwanne, DO ’23; Sarah Kate Boyette, MS ’23; Anna Beth Boyette,
’23; Shelby McGee, DO ’23; Setu Patel, DO ’23; Kathleen Bryan, DO ’23; and James “Trent”
Griner, DO ’23.
Community leaders and College representatives gathered Wednesday evening, the day
before commencement, for an awards reception at PCOM South Georgia to honor graduating students, including those in the campus’ first Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine class, with 13 students receiving awards that recognize outstanding achievements.
In addition, preceptors, faculty and staff members were recognized.
Calling it a “milestone” event, Robert J. Lloyd, DO ’91, interim dean of the osteopathic medicine program, welcomed graduates and guests—including
city and county leaders, state representatives, college presidents, local physicians,
board of education members, hospital administrators, community business leaders and
multiple donors—“all of whom made this campus possible.”
Brewster Receives Most Prestigious Award
The most prestigious award presented to a student on each campus is the Mason W. Pressly
Memorial Medal, which recognizes outstanding achievement and service to the College,
the community and the osteopathic profession. William Brewster, DO ’23, received this year’s award for PCOM South Georgia.
Brewster, whose hometown is Grayslake, Illinois, also received the Excellence in Primary
Care Award. This honor goes to a member of the graduating class who has been selected
as most proficient in family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics
and gynecology.
The Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association Award, also known as the Trimble Award,
was presented to Griffin Tygart Clyatt, DO ’23, of Valdosta, Georgia. The recipient of this award must be in the top 20 percent
of his/her class and is selected by the faculty and administration of PCOM South Georgia
in consultation with the Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association.
The Alumni Association Award was presented to Shelby McGee, DO ’23, of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This award is presented by the Philadelphia College
of Osteopathic Medicine Alumni Association to the member of the graduating class who
demonstrates a high caliber of performance of professional duties in hospital and
out-patient services, and academic excellence in basic and clinical sciences.
McGee also received the PCOM South Georgia Student Award, which is presented to the
member of the graduating class with the highest scholastic average.
The Galen S. Young DO Memorial Award was presented to Kathleen Bryan, DO ’23, of Elmhurst, New York. This recipient is recommended by the department of surgery
and must demonstrate exceptional interest and ability in the field of surgery and
rank in the top 50 percent of his/her class.
The T. A. Sappington Award in Family Medicine was presented to James “Trent” Griner, DO ’23, of Moultrie, Georgia. This award is presented to a student selected for a family
medicine residency in Georgia who also ranks in the top 50 percent of his/her class.
Griner also received the Excellence in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Award, which
is presented by the faculty of the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine
to a student who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in the use of osteopathic
philosophy and osteopathic manipulative treatment.
The President’s Leadership Award in Diversity was presented to Jasmine Rogers, DO ’23, of Chicago, Illinois. This award is presented to a student who has made a unique
contribution in creating an environment of shared responsibility and ownership for
diversity and inclusion at PCOM, as well as demonstrating emerging and sustained commitment
to diversity and inclusion.
Rogers also received the Dean’s Award, which is presented a member of the graduating
class who, by personal and professional conduct and by contributions to student affairs
and to the general program of PCOM South Georgia, has been deemed worthy of special
citation.
The Jessie M. Young Memorial Award was presented to Chizoba Akunwanne, DO ’23, of Macon, Georgia. This award is presented to recognize exceptional service to the
community or to the College.
The Excellence in Specialty Care Award was presented to Pavan Patel, DO ’23. This award is presented to a student who has demonstrated excellence in surgery,
specialty internal medicine, emergency medicine, neurology, pathology and radiology.
The SGA-PCOM Student Affairs Leadership Award was presented to Matthew Powell, DO ’23, of Birmingham, Alabama. This award is presented to a student who demonstrated exceptional
leadership by establishing student organizations and representing the student body
in the College and the community. Powell demonstrated professionalism and a willingness
to collaborate with members of the College community during his time as chair of the
DO class of 2023.
The PCOM South Georgia Research Award was presented to Max Kabolowsky, DO ’23, of Parkland, Florida. This award is presented to the student who has demonstrated
a strong interest in research.
The South Georgia Peer Tutor of the Year Award was presented to Ravi Soni, DO ’23, of Ocala, Florida.
Anna Beth Boyette, MS ’23, of Bristol, Georgia, received the Dean’s Award, which is presented to the member
of the graduating class with the highest scholastic average.
Sarah Kate Boyette, MS ’23, of Bristol, Georgia, received the Biomedical Sciences Leadership Award, which is
presented to a member of the graduating class who has demonstrated exceptional leadership,
high academic achievement, and the ability to effectively represent the class in College
and community affairs.
The C. Paul Snyder, DO, Undergraduate Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Fellowship
Award was presented to Setu Patel, DO ’23, of Valdosta, Georgia. This award recognizes a member of the graduating class who
has satisfactorily performed and completed the duties of Osteopathic Manipulative
Medicine Scholar for PCOM South Georgia.
A Field of Dreams
Jay S. Feldstein, DO ’81, PCOM president and CEO, congratulated the award recipients saying he has been “waiting
for this day for close to seven years.” He said the evening was really special because
“for the most part, everyone here today was here then. It’s amazing and it wouldn’t
have happened without everybody in this room.”
One of Dr. Feldstein’s favorite movies is “Field of Dreams” and he said one of the
best lines in the film is “If you build it, he will come.” Looking out over the standing-room
only crowd, he said, “We collectively built it and you came. And what’s even more
important is hopefully not only did you come, but you will stay.”
He said, “It’s about giving the opportunity for physicians to train in rural Georgia
and South Georgia, do their residencies here and practice here.”
“Our saying at PCOM—and next year we’re going to celebrate 125 years—is we’re a family.
And, whether you like it or not, you’re part of the family and we’re in this together.
And we’ll continue to grow together and we’ll do great things for health care and
most importantly the patients in South Georgia.”
Dr. Feldstein then addressed the graduates. “When they call your name to come across
the stage tomorrow, savor the moment. Thank you for everything.”
About PCOM South Georgia
In 2019, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a premier osteopathic
medical school with a storied 125-year history, 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.
Contact Us
Cindy B. Montgomery
Public Relations and Social Media Manager
Email: cindymo@pcom.edu
Office: 229-668-3198 | Cell: 229-873-2003
Connect with PCOM South Georgia