For osteopathic medical student Addison Brearton (DO '26), good patient care begins with being understood.
Born in Utah and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Brearton grew up watching her mother juggle nursing school and inpatient pediatric oncology shifts, sometimes bringing Brearton along to study sessions or hospital visits. It wasn't until she saw her father's seizure disorder develop, that she became curious about the human body. Still, medicine didn't fully click until a few years later.
That sense of purpose sharpened after her first gynecology appointment, where a compassionate physician had transformed an uncomfortable experience into an empowering one – planting the seed for what would become her chosen specialty. “I jokingly told a friend, ‘Maybe I'll become a doctor,’” Brearton said. “And suddenly, it felt right.”
Now a fourth-year student at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Brearton is pursuing Obstetrics and Gynecology (OBGYN), drawn to its blend of surgery and long-term patient relationships. “You walk with patients through some of the most pivotal moments of their lives,” she said. “From fear to relief, grief to joy – it's incredibly meaningful.”
As she prepares for residency, Brearton sought out an elective that aligned with her values – leading her to a Medical Spanish program at Cachamsi in Riobamba, Ecuador. With more than 40 million Spanish speakers in the U.S. and fewer than 10% of physicians able to communicate in Spanish, she saw language access as a critical gap in care. More than that, the ability to speak with someone in their native language can help to build trust and comfortability.
Paired with a Spanish-speaking host family, Brearton spent mornings in clinics and hospitals, some days even visiting patients in their homes or on their farms, and afternoons in intensive language instruction – often tailored to OBGYN scenarios. Her final weeks were spent in labor and delivery and the gynecological emergency department, assisting with vaginal deliveries, cesarean sections and postpartum procedures, often serving the many local Indigenous patients.
For Brearton, the elective wasn't just about fluency – it was about accountability.
“Language can't be a barrier to safe, respectful care,” she said. “As an OBGYN, being able to communicate directly with patients is part of advocating for them so using language has become one of my most important clinical tools. Every patient deserves to understand each and every aspect of their care.”
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.
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Ally Wengel
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Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: allywe@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6325
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