A second-year medical student at PCOM South Georgia has been recognized for her global health service and leadership.
Sydney Williams, a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine student in the Class of 2028, was named Global Scholar of the Year through the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP). The award recognizes osteopathic medical students who demonstrate leadership and meaningful engagement in global health initiatives during their training.
For Williams, the recognition reflects years of service experiences that have shaped her path in medicine.
“Receiving this award is meaningful to me because global health and service have been a consistent part of my journey in medicine,” she said.
Williams has traveled to 28 countries, with several trips involving healthcare and community programs. In Ghana, she assisted with malaria testing and wound care in schools. In Kenya, she worked with HIV-positive women through wellness information sessions and initiatives that helped participants develop skills and launch small businesses. In Tanzania, she taught English and science while also working alongside a school physician, an experience that allowed her to observe the relationship between education and health in underserved communities.
Her service also includes work in Costa Rica, where she volunteered at a free residential HIV clinic serving LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness. There, she assisted with basic clinical tasks such as taking vitals and helping with patient intake.
Williams has also participated in global service remotely. Through ENGin, a nonprofit program that connects volunteers with students in Ukraine, she provided weekly virtual English lessons.
“Across all of these experiences, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the social, cultural, and economic factors that influence health outcomes,” she said. “Being recognized by PCOM South Georgia for work that reflects these values is truly an honor.”
As she completes her second year and prepares to enter clinical rotations, Williams said her training at PCOM has emphasized both scientific knowledge and the humanistic aspects of patient care.
“PCOM has prepared me well for clinical training by emphasizing both strong foundational science and the humanistic side of medicine,” she noted. “Through leadership roles, research, and service opportunities, I’ve had the chance to develop skills beyond the classroom, such as collaboration, communication, and community engagement, that are essential in patient care.”
Williams said the school’s emphasis on health disparities, social determinants of health and global health perspectives has further influenced her approach to medicine.
“Those perspectives, combined with my own volunteer experiences, have helped shape the way I plan to approach patient care and have prepared me to enter clinical rotations with curiosity, empathy and a strong commitment to service,” she added.
The experiences that earned Williams the Global Scholar of the Year award are also part of her ongoing motivation for becoming a physician.
“What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to serve communities that have historically had limited access to care, both locally and globally,” she explained. "My experiences volunteering locally and internationally have shown me how powerful compassion, education and access to resources can be in improving people’s quality of life."
Williams also credits the physicians and mentors she has encountered along the way for reinforcing that mission.
“Seeing the impact that thoughtful, patient-centered physicians can make motivates me to continue pursuing opportunities to serve others and to approach medicine with curiosity, humility and a global perspective.”
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