Cancer Survivor Makes Waves in Medical School

July 30, 2026

When Rian Covington (DO '30) receives his white coat during PCOM South Georgia's White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 7, the moment will mark more than the start of medical school. It will symbolize his journey from cancer patient to future Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO).

Covington was just 15 years old when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

“I was mostly asymptomatic besides an enlarged lymph node on the right side of my neck,” Covington said. “I got checked out by several doctors, and everyone kind of downplayed it at first, saying it could be an allergic reaction or a cold symptom.”

Then, Covington met a physician who took his concerns seriously and ordered a biopsy of the lymph node in his neck. He remembers riding in the car with his mother when they received the call they had been dreading.

“Before my diagnosis, I was a typical kid, a hyperactive kid. I enjoyed the outdoors and sports, but swimming was my first love. I didn’t really have a plan for life besides swimming. Then my life became chemo three days a week for eight hours each day, plus radiation and surgeries.”

Covington had to have regular bone marrow biopsies to check for effects of his cancer drugs, and had a catheter placed so he didn’t have to be constantly poked and prodded with needles.

“I couldn’t have made it through without my mom, dad, sister, grandma, and aunt. They were my support systems. My grandma would stay with me while my parents had to work. My sister, even though she was younger, was emotionally more mature. I also leaned on my swim team and coaches at Atlantic Coast High School in Jacksonville. My teachers were very understanding of what I was going through.”

His love for swimming didn’t stop during his cancer battle. Every day, Covington worried that he would never swim competitively again.

Then he met Michael Phelps through the Dreams Come True organization.

"I opened the door and saw my literal idol standing in front of me," Covington said. "It was like a dream. Better than a dream. He's the nicest person you'll ever meet. We swam together and did a short race."

A year later, Covington was cancer-free.

“There was not a cancer cell in my body,” he said. “I knew then that I wanted to make a difference in other people's lives, too. I wanted to teach other kids to swim, help people experiencing homelessness, and advocate for other cancer patients. Without my diagnosis, I never would have realized the unique skills and opportunities I had in health care.”

Covington went on to swim at Florida State University, where he studied biology and pre-med.

During treatment and later while working as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) and surgery intern, Covington met physicians who had overcome health challenges of their own. One of his physicians even survived brain cancer.

“Physicians can be leaders in their community, and that’s why I decided to attend medical school at PCOM South Georgia. I don’t know the specialty yet, but I have a strong interest in underserved communities, and that’s a shared mission I have with the school.”

As a first-year medical student, Covington is looking forward to making his future symbolically official by receiving his white coat during PCOM South Georgia’s ceremony on Aug. 7 at 4:30 p.m. ET.

“This is the culmination of everything we have worked for before now, and represents the beginning of the rewarding career that’s coming.”

While Covington doesn’t yet know which specialty he’s interested in, he hopes to research how environmental factors contribute to diseases such as cancer. He also hopes to serve on mission trips, learn about different cultures, and improve global health for others.

“My life will open up to something challenging and completely new,” Covington said. “I am going to be a medical professional. I just want to help people.”

You May Also Like:

• What to Know About Cyclospora and Fresh Produce
• Medical Students Help Moultrie Community Garden Grow
• New Class of DO Students Welcomed in South Georgia