Caleigh Cianci (MS/PA '27) is pursuing new frontiers. Born and raised in Suwanee, Georgia, Cianci's childhood was defined by a love of horses and the equestrian life.
A competitive equestrian since she was eight years old, after high school, Cianci moved to a horse farm outside of Gainesville to continue competitive riding and open an equestrian business.
She was first introduced to the role of a Physician Assistant (PA) after fracturing her spine in a riding accident. Later, while working as a radiologic technologist at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, she collaborated with several PAs, which further solidified her dream of pursuing this path.
“That's when I realized my desire to help patients aligned perfectly with what the PA profession embodies. I wanted to be part of the healthcare team not just to assist, but to become a provider myself—to better care for patients and support the incredible providers I worked with every day.”
The moment Cianci put on her white coat was a significant turning point in her journey.
“It represents a promise to remain compassionate, professional, and full of integrity in all situations,” she emphasizes. “It's a responsibility to do good in my community, to always strive for improvement, and to be someone my future patients can trust and rely on.”
While the white coat might look a little different than the horse saddle, with hard work and determination, Cianci feels she's right where she needs to be.
“It feels like a dream come true,” she says with a smile. “Knowing I'm one step closer to my calling from God fills me with excitement. It's a feeling of pride and a commitment to keep working hard to become the best provider I can be for my future patients.”
PCOM Georgia has been serving students and the community for 20 years as a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education established in 1899. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
For general media inquiries, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at 215-871-6300 or communications@pcom.edu. Visit our media relations page to view contact information for public relations personnel.
Joy Williford
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: joyde@pcom.edu
Office: 470-572-7558
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