Benjamin Jorgensen (DO '29) has always dreamed of pursuing a career as a physician. Although he applied to medical school later than most, he was accepted into PCOM Georgia’s Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program and arrived just three days into orientation, a little behind his peers, but eager to catch up.
“I didn’t even know there was a PCOM in Georgia,” he said. “Since I’ve spent most of my life in Georgia and wanted to stay here, it felt like the perfect fit.”
Originally from Macon, Jorgensen moved out of state to study biology at Swarthmore College, a liberal arts college outside of Philadelphia. After graduating, he moved back home to Georgia, where he worked as a medical scribe in an orthopedic practice, shadowing two physicians who treated everything from knee and hip injuries to arthritis. When Jorgensen wasn’t working in the clinic, he tutored college and high school students in math and basic sciences while studying for the MCAT.
During those formative post-college years working in an orthopedic practice, Jorgensen saw the impact on patients who received a holistic approach to their care.
“Truthfully, I did not know the difference between a DO and an MD until I was looking at medical schools. I discovered that the approach to medicine and patient care of the DO path, and specifically PCOM Georgia’s mission, align more with my personal beliefs,” he said.
Having real-world experience combined with a solid MCAT score, he was motivated to find his way into medical school, and preferably in Georgia. While evaluating all options of medical schools in Georgia, Jorgensen was immediately impressed by PCOM Georgia’s welcoming approach. He recalls calling PCOM’s Office of Admissions to follow up on the status of his application and being warmly greeted by Alicia Stewart-Wildgoose, Associate Director of Admissions at PCOM Georgia.
“I was surprised someone picked up. Alicia ended up inviting me to campus to take a tour and meet some of the counselors and faculty.”
When greeted in person by Stewart-Wildgoose, she jokingly told him he could leave if he was a Cowboys fan since she’s an Eagles fan. Nevertheless, her warmth and the welcoming atmosphere of PCOM Georgia convinced him this was the place for him to grow as a future physician.
Since starting at PCOM Georgia, Jorgensen has already immersed himself in hands-on learning, particularly in the anatomy lab, his favorite class. “Seeing the actual human body, feeling the tissues, and working on cadavers has deepened my appreciation and respect for the body’s complexity,” he said.
As he prepares to enter his second year, he is excited to explore pathology and human disease, interests inspired in part by his grandfather, who was a pathologist. His goal is to combine his love for science, practical experiences, and develop a compassionate mode, embodying the holistic philosophy he admires in osteopathic medicine.
“I’ve grown friends here, and our whole class is well-connected,” he said. “PCOM treated me like a human at every step of my application process.”
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.
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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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