Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber presents PCOM South Georgia with Partners and Progress Award

April 10, 2024

Representatives from PCOM South Georgia were on hand to accept the Partners and Progress Award during the 114th Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on March 12. They included (from left) Jerry Keeton, MPS; Deidre Martin, EdD; Jennifer Mitchell, EdD; Joanne Jones, MBA; Marla Golden, DO; Stacie Fairley, PhD; Jason Walker, PhD; and Dillon Presley.

---

For the medical students at PCOM South Georgia, volunteering in the community is a way to bring knowledge from the classroom into real-world settings where medical students gain hands-on experience and help meet the needs of the community.

“Engaging in community service fosters empathy, compassion and a deeper understanding of the diverse patient populations that we will one day treat,” said Teighlor Livingston (DO '26), chair of the PCOM South Georgia Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program class of 2026. “Additionally, volunteering provides a networking opportunity with other professionals and organizations as well as the chance to make a positive impact on individual and community health.”

It was this sense of service that was honored in March when the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce presented PCOM South Georgia with the Partners and Progress Award during the Chamber’s 114th annual banquet.

“It is a great honor to receive this award, especially since we are so new to the community,” said Joanne Jones, MBA, chief of campus operations and career counselor. “Our students really have a servant's heart to volunteer. They love getting out into the community to provide health information, conduct blood pressure screenings, and work with the Moultrie-Colquitt County Boys and Girls Club on multiple projects, providing mentorship and education about healthy living.”

According to the Chamber’s website, the Partners and Progress Award is presented to an organization based on its “dedicated service, community volunteerism, and investment in both people and programs that foster a greater sense of purpose and opportunity in Colquitt County.”

“Receiving the Partners in Progress Award is a profound honor and validation of PCOM’s unwavering commitment to the betterment of Colquitt County and its people,” Livingston said. “This award serves as an acknowledgment that our efforts have made a meaningful impact on individuals and contributed to the community's overall welfare. It inspires us to continue our journey of service and collaboration, striving even harder to create positive change and lasting improvements in Colquitt County.”

“It is essential to give back, not only because the community has been so welcoming to us over the past five years, but because we live in the community that we serve,” Jones said. “Volunteerism builds stronger, healthy communities.”

For PCOM students, volunteering provides more than an educational experience.

“Receiving the Partners in Progress Award means a lot to PCOM students because it shows that their work within the local community is being felt by many of the members of the community,” said Drew Fidler (DO ’26). “Those of us who participate in student clubs at PCOM SGA pride ourselves on how willing we are to step up and volunteer for or create events that educate and enrich the lives of the people of Colquitt County.”

Time spent volunteering also creates a personal connection to the community.

“As PCOM SGA students, I feel like we gain a strong sense of closeness to our community that I haven't felt in the big cities where I have previously volunteered,” Fidler said. “Meeting all the people, exchanging stories, and feeling like I can make a difference each day is my favorite part of volunteering.”

You May Also Like:

• PCOM Med Students Hosting Health Fair in Quitman
• Dermatology Club Shares Message About Sun Safety
• Sisters, Brothers in Medicine Hold Workshop for Local Youth