PCOM South Georgia Student Recognized Nationally for Commitment to Rural Health

September 23, 2026

At just 13 years old, Marisela Benitez (DO '28) lost her father to a fatal heart attack. That loss would propel her into a career in medicine, one she vowed to use to listen to her patients and address their concerns.

“I watched someone who I had loved dearly lose his life due to social determinants of health and language barriers that affected the kind of care he was able to receive,” she said. “My Cuban father often returned from his medical appointments feeling as though he did not understand his treatment plan, and that his concerns were not being heard. I saw the effect this had on his health, as he did not take his medications regularly or see the importance of following up frequently.”

This experience inspired Benitez to choose PCOM South Georgia for medical school. Before becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) student, she held multiple jobs to afford her education. Receiving a scholarship eased that financial burden and allowed her to dedicate herself more fully to her studies.

“I have had opportunities to take on leadership responsibilities, work closely with faculty mentors, contribute to research, and help develop service initiatives early in my medical education,” she said. “Some of my most meaningful experiences have included providing bilingual health education and helping deliver culturally-tailored CPR and first-aid training for Spanish-speaking migrant farmworkers. I have also presented research about cardiovascular health disparities and social determinants of health.”

Her leadership roles include serving as president of PCOM South Georgia's Student Osteopathic Internal Medicine Association (SOIMA) and as a member of the Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA), Cardiology Club, American Medical Women's Association (AMWA), and Family Medicine Club. These extracurricular activities also led to Benitez's most recent recognition, as she was named the 2026 Robert G. Good, DO, MACOI Student Leadership Award recipient, with a faculty recommendation from Jennifer H. Shaw, PhD, professor of physiology at PCOM South Georgia. The award was presented by the American College of Osteopathic Internists, who previously profiled her as a “Student of the Month.”

“It has been a privilege to observe student doctor Benitez's commitment to her studies and engagement in campus events and research,” said Dr. Shaw. “Throughout the physiology courses, she has demonstrated mastery of medical concepts and exhibited a spirit of collaboration among her classmates. She has been instrumental in building powerful partnerships between our medical school and the community through mentorship programs impacting the youth and adults in our area.”

Benitez hopes to pursue internal medicine and cardiology in the future while remaining committed to mentorship, advocacy and responsive patient care.

“Receiving this award is especially meaningful because it recognizes the kind of physician I hope to become, someone who views leadership as service. I understand how isolating medical education can sometimes feel, especially when imposter syndrome makes you question whether you belong. My message is simple: you do belong, your perspective is valuable, and there is a community rooting for you.”

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