For Janine Kfouri (DO '24), securing a residency placement in family medicine wasn't just the fulfillment of a dream; it was a tribute to her
father's memory and a testament to her journey of faith.
As Match Day dawned, the culmination of years of hard work and determination converged into a single moment. Surrounded by the embrace of family and friends, Janine anxiously opened her envelope, knowing that its contents would shape the next chapter of her professional life as a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO). Yet, amidst the excitement, her thoughts inevitably drifted to her father's enduring influence and the profound impact of her personal journey. Once planning to be a pediatrician, the trajectory of her career changed by a single event in 2019.
“Your dad took his life”.
“These enduring words have echoed since that fateful phone call on July 27th, 2019,” said Kfouri.“They hit me like an emotional tsunami, shattering the calm of my life and crumbling the walls of my reality. In that pivotal moment, my life split into two distinct chapters: the ‘Before’, filled with innocence and familiarity, and the ‘After’,” defined by resilience, growth, and a newfound appreciation for the human spirit.”
Reflecting on her formative years, she fondly recalled her mother's commitment to their family's well-being, ensuring that she and her sister attended their annual check-ups without fail. A childhood of recurrent ear infections kindled her curiosity about the intricacies of medicine, initially steering her towards a career in pediatrics. However, the transformative nature of her personal journey prompted her to reassess her path, leading her to embrace Family Medicine.
“While I could not rewrite my father's story, I recognized that I held the power to
alter the life paths of others by sharing my story”, Kfouri added, “Each patient,
from the tenderest infant to the wisest elder, carries a story deserving of the chance
to craft a brighter tomorrow. This shift in my perspective led me unswervingly to
Family Medicine.”
Despite initial reservations and the weight of familial expectations, Kfouri courageously confronted the stigma surrounding her father's suicide.
“I initially felt immense shame when revealing my father's suicide, as it felt like a stain etched into my family's history.”
The pursuit of destigmatizing mental health discussions became an imperative. “Suicide is a completely different grief and I never want my patients to feel like they have to hide, no one sees them, or no one cares. I care,” she said.
Kfouri will be completing residency at Northside Hospital Gwinnett.
"I'm excited to be in the field of Family Medicine," she remarked, “because it enables me to be a beacon of understanding and support, helping individuals and families navigate their unique narratives, even when faced with unforeseen plot twists. I aim to heal and inspire, making my father's story a source of hope and resilience for those entrusted to my care.”
Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year history dedicated to the healthcare professions. 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.
Jamesia Harrison, MS
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Email: jamesiaha@pcom.edu
Office: 678-225-7532 | Cell: 470-572-7558
© 2024 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine