Jesse Thompson (DO '19) and Farrah Rink (DO '19 ), both second-year students at GA-PCOM, joined faculty members and other physicians for Physicians Day at the Capitol.
Two second-year Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM) osteopathic medical students recently joined faculty members and other physicians at an advocacy event—Physicians’ Day at the Capitol—sponsored by the Georgia Primary Care Physicians Council.
Council members include: the Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association; the Georgia Academy of Family Physicians; the Georgia Chapter – American Academy of Pediatrics and the Georgia Chapter – American College of Physicians.
GA-PCOM students Jesse Thompson (DO '19), council president, and Farrah Rink (DO '19), SOSA Surgery Club, national liaison, described their day under the dome.
“Physicians’ Day at the Capitol was an amazing opportunity to see a different side of patient care," said Thompson. "As a future physician and leader, I want to take care of my patients both inside of the clinic and out. Today, more than ever, that requires being a political advocate and voice for positive healthcare change. I'd like to thank the Georgia Osteopathic Medical Association (GOMA) for giving students the opportunity to learn about legislative lobbying and advocacy. I will continue to use the skills and lessons I learned at the Capitol throughout my medical career for the benefit of my future patients and the healthcare industry alike.”
“The future of health care is in the hands of our generation," said Rink. "With the tools provided by opportunities like today, we as student leaders can learn to become effective advocates for change for our fellow students, physicians, patients and nation. There is great value in learning how to engage and communicate with our policy makers in the most effective way possible; there is no better avenue than putting a face with a name or Twitter feed."
Rink said it was an honor to meet the Governor, House members and various other politically active and appointed physicians and that the experience made her realize the importance of fighting for change in our healthcare system and the impact even a medical student can have if we work together to promote a common cause.
“I can't think of a better cause than the future of our profession or the health care of our patients," she said. "Being asked to speak as a first time attendee and medical student in front of politically influential attendees was an amazing, yet surreal experience—one that would not have been possible without the encouragement of GOMA and my Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (GA-PCOM ) professors."
Rink thanked GA-PCOM and GOMA for their continued support and promotion of young leaders in the osteopathic profession.
"You have made a difference in my life and I plan to pay it forward by continuing political advocacy throughout my career," she added.
Among the issues Rink said she would like to address and why they are important to her include:
Rink and Thompson were joined in Atlanta by GA-PCOM chief campus officer Bryan Ginn, GOMA executive director Holly A. Huddleston; GA-PCOM clinical coordinator and associate professor Michael Sampson, DO; GOMA President Karen Turner, DO; Richard Chase, DO and GA-PCOM associate professor Murray R. Berkowitz, DO. The group was also able to meet with Governor Nathan Deal during the event.
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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