For Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) student Arlin Arias (DO '28), medicine is more than a profession – it's a bridge between her Dominican roots and her American upbringing. Born in the United States but raised in Santiago, Dominican Republic, she spent her early years in a rural community where faith in God, nature and the body's ability to heal was abundant, but where access to formal healthcare and education was often limited – sometimes painfully so. These experiences, paired with a deep love for her community, sparked her determination to make health and wellness more accessible to all.
“I saw firsthand how people relied on home remedies because that's all they had,” she said. “Those traditions are meaningful, but they also reflect a lack of access and knowledge. That experience made me want to learn medicine, to help communities like mine get the care and understanding they deserve.”
When she was 12, Arias returned to the United States and began English Learner (EL) classes while adjusting to a new culture and language. Her persistence carried her forward: she earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Boston College and later a master's degree in education. At first, she envisioned a future as a teacher for students with special needs, but her experiences as an educator and calling to serve others kept leading her toward medicine.
As part of her passion for service, Arias and her father founded Por Un Mejor Futuro (“For a Better Future”), a nonprofit that provides students in her hometown of Noriega with well-equipped learning environments, complete with new chalk boards, fans and essential classroom materials.
Arias' dedication to helping others stems from personal experience when a close family member was diagnosed with schizophrenia. It was through this experience that she witnessed the profound effects of stigma and the lack of mental-health awareness in her community. It deepened her empathy and solidified her desire to become a physician who treats the whole person – mind, body and spirit.
“In my community, people didn't talk about mental health, and that lack of understanding made things harder for my family,” Arias shared. “I want to change that – by raising awareness and helping people care for their minds as much as their bodies.”
Arias found her perfect fit at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), where the osteopathic philosophy reflects her belief in combining modern medicine with compassion, humanity and whole-person care.
As co-president of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), she advocates for mentorship, representation and belonging among future physicians.
Looking ahead, Arias plans to specialize in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) – a field dedicated to restoring function and improving quality of life through therapy, medication and evidence-based care that integrates physical health, mental well-being and patient independence.
Through every chapter of her journey – from rural classrooms in Noriega to the labs of PCOM – Arias has remained guided by one simple goal: helping others live healthier, fuller lives.
“I just want to make people better,” she said. “I want people to have the chance to live their best possible life, without their opportunities being limited by a lack of medical care or understanding.”
Established in 1899, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (PCOM, PCOM Georgia and PCOM South Georgia) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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.
Ally Wengel
Public Relations Manager
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: allywe@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6325
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