Four students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) are among 11 recipients of this year’s Resident/Student Scholarships from the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association (POMA).
POMA is a divisional society of the American Osteopathic Association and represents over 8,000 licensed osteopathic physicians, residents, interns, and students in Pennsylvania. Funds for these scholarships are made available through the POMA Foundation and granted once a year. To qualify for entry, each student must be a citizen of Pennsylvania, a member of POMA, and enrolled as a 2nd, 3rd or 4th-year osteopathic medical student or resident at a Pennsylvania-affiliated residency program with osteopathic educators.
This scholarship is intended to affirm and recognize the efforts of osteopathic students and/or residents who have donated their time and effort as a medical volunteer beyond that which is usually accomplished as a medical student or resident.
What does it mean to you to win this award?
I am extremely honored to have received this award. One of my primary missions as
a doctor is to be an educator and a leader in underserved communities to improve health
outcomes. This award represents and reflects my passion and determination to help
those around me.
This scholarship is meant to honor a student or resident that exemplifies a superior knowledge and interest in osteopathic manipulation, the theories that govern it and the will to preserve the tenants of osteopathic medicine.
What does it mean to you to win this award?
Larisa: This award will not only help me financially during medical school but reassures
me that my passion for osteopathic manipulative medicine is shared by others and that
its effectiveness and usefulness in practice are widely recognized and valued. I am
enjoying the opportunity to strengthen my skills during these five years of school,
and I look forward to incorporating OMT into my day-to-day practice as a physician.
Kendal: I am honored to be awarded such a prestigious scholarship. Osteopathic medicine plays a key role in how I want to practice as a future family medicine physician while caring for patients as a whole: body, mind and spirit.
Effective medical education incorporates a global and multicultural perspective as populations become increasingly diverse. This scholarship is designed to honor a student or resident who has done exceptional outreach to populations considered to have significant health disparities due to race, gender, sexual orientation or economic status.
What does it mean to you to win this award?
Since my undergraduate years, healthcare advocacy for underserved populations has
been one of my passions. It remains a huge reason for my interest in becoming a physician.
It was a big reason I created numerous community outreach events, encouraging collaboration
and serving as a conduit between established medical institutions and Philadelphia
residents. It remains the reason why I mentor pre-med students who demonstrate similar
interests in helping narrow the disparity gaps that have persisted throughout American
history among marginalized groups. To get recognition from an organization like POMA
for doing something I genuinely feel this strongly about fills me with extreme gratitude
and only motivates me to continue this work.
For the past 125 years, 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.
Brandon Lausch
Executive Director, Strategic Communications
Email: brandonla@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6312 | Cell:
717-371-0609
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