How One Do Student Found Purpose Without a Roadmap 
Samantha Monteiro (DO ‘28)

November 6, 2026

Becoming a doctor once felt out of reach for Samantha Monteiro (DO ‘28). Without a clear roadmap to medical school, she forged her own path, guided by determination and a commitment to serving her community.

Born and raised in North Philadelphia, Monteiro has always been proud of her Puerto Rican culture. She grew up in a single-parent household with limited resources. “I would take SEPTA to get to a lot of places,” she said. “If I didn’t have wifi to do my homework, that’s when I would walk to the library near my house.”

Monteiro’s desire to become a doctor was shaped by the care her mother gave to her clients as a hairdresser and the challenges her grandparents faced accessing medical services.

“Growing up, I saw women come to the house to get their hair done by my mom,” she said. “They would leave feeling so much better, and when I saw the relationship-building aspect of that, I thought, I could care for patients the same way my mom cared for her clients.”

Her grandparents’ experience deepened that commitment, inspiring her to become a physician who represents her heritage and serves low-income communities across Philadelphia. After migrating from Puerto Rico, her grandparents encountered language barriers and unfamiliar medical terminology in Philadelphia that made them reluctant to seek further care. “Helping them learn about medicine motivated me to want to be a safe space for others in the Hispanic community.”

While the path to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) at PCOM would take years of hard work and perseverance, Monteiro knew the only way out of poverty would be through her education.

During her undergraduate studies, Monteiro became involved with Philadelphia Futures, now called Heights Philadelphia, a non-profit organization that provides Philadelphia youth with tools and resources to succeed in education and in the workplace. Through the organization, she was connected with the Esperanza Health Center, where she gained her first shadowing experience in the medical field. After working as a medical assistant (MA) for two years and taking her MCAT twice, Monteiro was finally accepted to PCOM.

“PCOM's commitment to osteopathic medicine and community health is why I knew I wanted to attend medical school, especially near my hometown where I could help those in need,” she said.

Throughout her time at the College, Monteiro has volunteered with the Tiger Woods’ TGR Foundation, served as president of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), and co-founded UV and Me, a club that teaches children of color about the importance of sun protection. She also continues to serve as a mentor at Heights Philadelphia, helping young people understand the importance of education and the opportunities it can create.

One thing that keeps her motivated is the prospect of Match Day. “I have a blank ‘I matched’ poster on my wall, and I look at it every single day because there were times when I thought I wouldn’t make it this far,” she said. “When I do make it to that day, I can finally say I did it.”

Looking ahead, Monteiro hopes to return to her beloved North Philadelphia neighborhood as a physician, caring for the community that shaped her and helping young people see a future in medicine. This dream extends beyond treating patients to showing the next generation what is possible.

“I want to be a helping hand to the community that has given me so much,” she said. “I also want to show children that despite obstacles they may face, they can achieve their goals, even when their circumstances may suggest otherwise.”

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