When Kendal Schaetzle, DO '23, first stepped foot onto PCOM's campus, she immediately felt the welcoming atmosphere. That gut feeling led her to find
community amongst faculty, staff and other students.
“Everyone treats each other like family,” she said. “Acknowledging one another, supporting one another, cheering for one another. That is why I love PCOM.”
Grateful to have been selected as an OMM Scholar during her second year, she obtained valuable clinical experience and had the opportunity to teach other medical students. Describing patients as a puzzle, Schaetzle focuses on fitting in the correct pieces to address the whole mind, body, and spirit of a person. She has found that by integrating OMM, healthcare becomes more comprehensive.
Her medical approach has proven to be rewarding and beneficial for her patients. “They are appreciative during their follow up visits, but more so, their quality of life has improved and is reflected in them doing the activities that bring them joy,” she shared.
Schaetzle will complete her family medicine residency at Christiana Care in Delaware, and her aspirations include becoming a family medicine physician in the field of sports medicine while also being able to work in low resource areas.
“The ability to serve is such a gift for physicians,” she said. “I want to help those who do not have adequate healthcare in both the United States and abroad. Help others like my physicians have helped me.”
Calling the support from her family “never-ending”, Schaetzle thanks them, her friends, doctors, classmates, mentors, patients, and everyone in between for their guidance throughout her time at PCOM. She leaves having learned some of life's most important lessons, which she now shares with others.
“Follow your dreams. If you want something, make it happen and if opportunity doesn't knock, then build a door. Do something fun every day, but most of all, do what makes YOU happy.”
© 2024 Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine