Claire Shemon, DO '26, has long been passionate about caring for children. She remembers drawing herself as a pediatrician in elementary school for an art class prompt asking, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Now, she is turning that childhood dream into reality as she prepares to begin her pediatrics residency at UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
Prior to enrolling in the PCOM's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program, Shemon had been studying oil painting in college, but her path shifted after she met a PCOM alum working in pediatric cardiology.
"I loved the approach he took with his patients,” she said. “It seemed more comprehensive than that of any doctor I had worked with before and I loved the idea of learning osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) and having an extra set of tools at my disposal to treat patients.”
According to Shemon, PCOM has offered her more than training. It's given her lifelong friends, exposure to new learning environments, and experiences that broadened her perspective.
“PCOM will forever be the place where I met my best friends and where I was exposed to classmates from all walks of life who shared their lived experiences with me. Having a class with individuals of all ages, genders, cultural backgrounds and previous careers enriched and diversified my medical education.”
Looking ahead, Shemon plans to pursue a fellowship in pediatric cardiology, with a particular interest in patients with single ventricle heart defects and Fontan circulation. This path will bring her back to familiar ground, as she previously scribed in pediatric cardiology at UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh before attending PCOM.
Her advice to students following this path is simple: “Make sure to enjoy being a student, especially on rotations. Continue to stay curious, ask questions and take the extra time to talk with your patients.”
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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Email: gabrielde2@pcom.edu
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