Emerging Voices: Social Media and the New Health Narratives
August 25, 2026
By Kristen Hopf
From chronic illness and mental health advocacy to residency life and pharmacy education, a growing number of students and physicians are using social media to make medicine feel more human, accessible and relatable.
Scroll through TikTok or Instagram long enough and medical information appears almost everywhere: explanations of symptoms, study tips, surgery advice, mental health discussions, wellness trends and day-in-the-life videos from students and physicians alike.
A recent article published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research noted that more than half of U.S. adults report using social media for health information at least occasionally, while researchers and public health experts increasingly recognize the influence online creators can have on public understanding of medicine. But alongside the opportunities come challenges surrounding misinformation, credibility and the responsibility of communicating healthcare topics online.
For a growing group of PCOM students and alumni, social media has become less about building an audience and more about building human connection.
Sharing the Realities Behind Medicine
Katie Morrison (DO ’29), who shares content under the handle @katieinmed, uses social media to connect with fellow students navigating the challenges of medical school. Since she began posting consistently in September 2025, her content has focused on life as a medical student with lupus, alongside reflections on osteopathic medicine and the day-to-day realities of becoming a physician.
“I aim to be a voice for those who may feel overlooked or hesitant to share their own experiences, and to create a space that is both encouraging and empowering,” Ms. Morrison said. “I want to reach as many people as I can and let them know that they can do the hard things.”
Ms. Morrison said some of the most meaningful responses she has received have come from other medical students navigating chronic illness themselves.
“I’m passionate about sharing the osteopathic perspective and debunking misconceptions, but the interactions that mean the most to me are hearing from other medical students with chronic illnesses, because those conversations are a reminder that none of us are navigating this alone,” she said.
For Crystal Rodriguez, PharmD ’26, social media offers an opportunity to show aspiring pharmacists what training really looks like behind the scenes. Dr. Rodriguez began sharing content under the handle @crystal_a_rodriguez on TikTok in August 2025 and on Instagram in January 2026, posting videos about pharmacy school, clinical rotations and licensing exam prep.
“My mission as a health-focused social media content creator is to provide insight into what a day looks like as a student pharmacist, what it means to be a part of healthcare and how you can still enjoy other aspects of life while learning to be part of the future of medicine,” Dr. Rodriguez said.
She said creating content has also pushed her outside of her comfort zone, strengthening many of the same interpersonal skills she continues to develop through pharmacy school and patient care experiences.
“I try to approach each video with transparency and integrity, sharing the realities of pharmacy school and clinical training in a way that feels honest and relatable,” she said. “Although my introverted nature sometimes makes me hesitant, I often return to the younger version of myself who dreamed of making the kinds of videos that once inspired me so deeply.”
Beyond Information: Building Trust and Community
For Aldwin Ben-Aziz Soumare, DO ’22, credibility and representation are central to the work he shares online.
“My mission is to make mental health, psychiatry and medicine more accessible, especially for communities that have historically been underserved or underrepresented,” he said. “As a Black physician and psychiatry resident, I want people to see that conversations about mental health can be honest, relatable and culturally grounded.”
Across Instagram and TikTok, Dr. Soumare has built a combined following of nearly 15,000 users. Under the handles @TheHoodPsychDoc and @Melaninwhitecoats on Instagram and @Whitecoatpapi on TikTok, he shares content focused on psychiatry, mental health awareness, underrepresented communities in medicine and the intersection of culture and health care.
“I also hope to inspire young people from similar backgrounds to pursue careers in medicine, science, leadership and advocacy while helping reduce stigma surrounding mental illness and emotional vulnerability,” he said.
When discussing psychiatric and health-related topics online, Dr. Soumare relies on peer-reviewed literature, clinical guidelines, reputable medical organizations and his own medical training.
“I also make a conscious effort to acknowledge uncertainty, avoid sensationalizing mental illness and present information in a way that is educational rather than exploitative. I aim to frame conversations through evidence, lived experiences and broader public health implications,” he said.
Dr. Soumare said some of the strongest impact of his content has come through conversations with followers who felt more comfortable addressing their mental health after encountering his videos.
“One of the most meaningful responses I’ve received has been from individuals who shared that my content helped them feel seen, especially Black men discussing mental health for the first time,” he said. “I’ve had people message me saying that conversations about depression, trauma and emotional vulnerability encouraged them to seek therapy or finally open up to someone.”
“Such moments remind me that social media can be more than entertainment—it can genuinely foster connection, education, healing and hope,” he said.
Documenting the Process, Not Perfection
For Jory Parson, DO ’25, content creation began as a form of accountability. Dr. Parson started posting consistently during his fourth year of medical school while simultaneously training for an Ironman 70.3, preparing for general surgery residency and navigating Crohn’s disease. His videos, under the handle @drjoryparson, frequently focus on medicine, fitness, endurance sports and mindset.
“What began as a way to document a personal goal quickly evolved into a platform centered around resilience, discipline and perseverance—sharing not only the training itself, but also the realities of balancing medicine, endurance sports and personal development,” Dr. Parson said.
Dr. Parson’s path to medical school was shaped by both academic and personal challenges during college, including health issues that affected his early coursework. After being told by an advisor that medical school was unlikely, he went on to earn a near-perfect GPA in a post-baccalaureate program before being accepted to medical school.
“My goal is to show people that anything is possible with the right mindset,” he said. “Setbacks do not determine your future—your response to them does. Adversity does not have to prevent you from reaching meaningful goals, whether academic, athletic or personal.”
Now a general surgery resident at PCOM, Dr. Parson said he hopes his content helps people feel encouraged to pursue goals even when circumstances are difficult.
“Many people believe they need ideal circumstances to prioritize their health or pursue ambitious goals. Through my content, I hope to show that progress is still possible in the middle of demanding careers, busy schedules and personal challenges,” he said. “Whether someone is training for their first race or simply becoming more intentional with healthy daily habits, I hope my content gives them the confidence to begin.”
As someone working in medicine, Dr. Parson said he remains mindful of the responsibility that comes with sharing information publicly.
“My platform is built around sharing personal experiences, daily routines, and lessons I have learned firsthand through medicine, training and life,” he said. “I recognize the responsibility that comes with having an audience, and if I share educational or medically related content, I make sure it is accurate, relevant and presented responsibly.”