By
Jennifer Schaffer Leone. Photography by Melissa Kelly, Anthony Stalcup and Daniel
Shippey. Creative direction by Abigail Harmon with assistance from Jamesia Harrison,
Kristen Hopf and Cindy B. Montgomery.
This spring, over a 125-hour period during PCOM’s 125th anniversary year, photographers
captured the unassuming moments that animate daily life across the College’s three
locations: A warm greeting exchanged between classes, words of encouragement offered
during a clinical rotation, a solitude nurtured by a certain slant of light.
This photo essay illustrates today’s PCOM, built upon more than a dozen decades that
each began with a moment.
Prior to morning rounds, third-year clerkship students meet residents in the grand
atrium of the Annenberg Center for Medical Education, Lankenau Medical Center.
Office staff gather with Kenneth J. Veit, DO ’76, MBA, FACOFP, provost and senior
vice president of academic affairs, PCOM. Through collaborative discussions and shared
cups of coffee, they set the stage for a productive day ahead.
Rebekah Thomas, PharmD, PA-C, BCPS, BC-ADM, chair and program director, physician
assistant studies, demonstrates the intricacies of a physical exam to PCOM Georgia
physician assistant studies students, emphasizing hands-on learning and patient-centered
care.
PCOM doctor of osteopathic medicine students diligently practice surgical scrubbing,
gowning and gloving at the Dr. Michael and Wendy Saltzburg Clinical Learning & Assessment
Center, honing their fundamental skills for real-world clinical settings.
During a break between classes, students from PCOM South Georgia enjoy a moment of
camaraderie and mentorship in Jeter Courtyard with Marla D. Golden, DO ’88, MS, FACEP,
dean of the osteopathic medical program.
In PCOM Georgia’s Simulation Center, Gary Freed, DO, FAAP, FACOP, professor of pediatrics
and director of primary care skills, uses a newborn high-fidelity manikin to demonstrate
pediatric procedures and diagnosis.
A glimpse through the glass windows of the PCOM Admissions Office reveals aspiring
physicians navigating crucial moments of their medical school interviews. Inside,
hopeful candidates engage in thoughtful conversations, showcasing their passion and
dedication for the profession.
Ruth M. Maher, PT, PhD, DPT, WCS, professor and department chair, physical therapy,
PCOM Georgia, instructs physical therapy students in the use of ultrasound imaging
as they learn to visualize internal structures and precisely guide therapeutic interventions.
In the lab, Xinyu Wang, PhD, professor of neuroscience, physiology and pharmacology,
PCOM Georgia, and a pharmacy student use 3D bioprinting technology in anti-cancer
drug screening to test the efficacy and toxicity of new treatments. This allows for
a deeper understanding of tumor biology.
Scott Glassman, PsyD ‘13, clinical associate professor and director of the Master
of Applied Positive Psychology program, and students sit outside of Hassman Academic
Center, PCOM, to share insights and experiences. These future psychologists find balance
and inspiration in each other’s company.
Randall L. Sisam, DO, MBA, assistant professor of clinical medicine and director of
primary care skills, serves up a friendly match of ping-pong during lunchtime, rallying
with PCOM South Georgia students in a spirited exchange of volleys.
During a simulated surgery, doctor of osteopathic medicine students at PCOM Georgia
gain invaluable experience in the intensity and precision required for real-life operative
procedures.
PCOM Georgia students participate in a local fair held at Suwanee’s Town Center Park,
providing educational programming and health screenings and connecting the College
with the community.
PCOM mental health counseling students actively engage in an evening group counseling
session in which they explore real-world scenarios and apply what they learn.
After classes, students gather outside Meta Christy House, a residence hall at PCOM,
soaking up the supportive atmosphere that strengthens bonds among health professions
students.
Golden hour bathes the O.J. Snyder Memorial Library in a warm glow, casting an interplay
of light and shadow as a student studies diligently for an upcoming exam.
As evening falls, PCOM South Georgia stands as a beacon of hope and promise, an enduring
commitment to medical education and health care in Southwest Georgia.
