Every year the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Council on each campus of 黑料传送门 selects a Student Doctor of the Year. Sponsored by the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, a part of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the Student Doctor of the Year award recognizes a student committed to the principles of leadership, community service, dedication and professionalism.
The following student physicians do more than just volunteer in their communities. They find ways to make contributions that will make lasting impacts and improve life for others:
黑料传送门鈥檚 Student Doctors of the Year go on to compete for the National Student Doctor of the Year award. While 黑料传送门鈥檚 honorees excel in academics and leadership, the need to contribute to society is a passion they all share.
New Jersey native Kayla Davenport has been named 黑料传送门's 2025 Student Doctor of the Year (SDOY) in recognition of her dedication to community service and her passion for helping others. As a first-generation medical student, this achievement is particularly meaningful for Davenport, who was previously nominated for the award in 2023. 鈥淲inning this award after not being selected a few years ago feels incredible,鈥� she shared. 鈥淚 love giving back to my community, so receiving this recognition is just an added bonus.鈥�
Davenport's interest in osteopathic medicine stems from her personal experiences with healthcare. Having faced some negative experiences with medication herself, she was drawn to the holistic, whole-body approach that osteopathic medicine emphasizes.
In addition to serving as the DO Class Chair for the Class of 2025, Davenport was named a 2024 McGruder-Knox Scholar. She is also the co-founder and an active member of the Philadelphia chapter of Sisters in Medicine, an initiative dedicated to supporting the success of Black women in medical and graduate school.
鈥淎s a woman of color in medicine, I wanted to help create a supportive community for others like me鈥攏ot just to share challenges and struggles, but also to drive meaningful change within the field and for future generations,鈥� Davenport explained. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important to show BIPOC individuals that there are physicians who look like them and that receiving medical care can be a positive, empowering experience.鈥�
For Will Anderson, being named 黑料传送门 Georgia鈥檚 2025 Student Doctor of the Year was a humbling experience. 鈥淚 was very surprised when I found out I received this award, " Anderson said. 鈥淲hile I can acknowledge that I have done a lot of work on campus, it has always been because I saw an opportunity to fill in a gap, not to receive special recognition.鈥�
Throughout Anderson鈥檚 time studying at 黑料传送门 Georgia, he has held many advocacy and mentoring roles for his fellow students. In addition to serving as a peer tutor and class representative, Will Anderson also served as President of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and the Pathology Club.
鈥淚t was actually students in the class below me that encouraged me to pursue this award,鈥� Anderson shared. 鈥淭hey saw my class leadership and commitment as peer tutor and mentor and told me I鈥檇 be a great candidate, it felt good to hear that validation.鈥�
Originally from Atlanta, Anderson鈥檚 selfless approach to service is something he also sees in his classmates and teachers, which is what initially drew him to pursuing a medical degree at 黑料传送门 Georgia. 鈥淭his is why I love 黑料传送门,鈥� Anderson explains. 鈥淭he College is super community-focused and everyone is so down-to-earth and willing to help each other. It鈥檚 been a great experience.鈥�
Brigitte Cochran was on a dermatology clinical rotation in Arizona when she received the news that she had been named 黑料传送门 South Georgia鈥檚 Student Doctor of the Year. She opened the message while on her lunch break.
鈥淚 had to read the email a couple of times until I processed that I was chosen,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 felt so honored as well as acknowledged for the work that I have achieved thus far in my medical career. This means everything to me! It means that I am making a difference thus far and only motivates me to continue to try and be better every day.鈥�
Her most valuable lesson so far is rooted in the basics of osteopathic medicine.
鈥淭reat the person, not the disease,鈥� she said. 鈥淟isten to your patients and make sure you are addressing what matters to them. Always make sure that treatment is guided by both physician and patient.鈥�
Originally from Palm Harbor, Florida, Cochran plans to put her skills to use in a specialty that will provide her with unique opportunities鈥攄ermatology.
鈥淎s the founder and president of the Dermatology Club at 黑料传送门 South Georgia, she organized numerous educational events, hands-on workshops, and fundraising initiatives to provide sunscreen and skincare products to underserved populations,鈥� said Rajay Dockery (DO 鈥�27), president of the South Georgia DO Council. 鈥淗er roles as a student ambassador, peer tutor, and medical Spanish teaching assistant further underscore her commitment to education and mentorship.鈥�
For Cochran, dermatology will help her connect with patients on a personal level.
鈥淚t is the one of the only specialties that includes continued care with patients resulting in strong long term relationships, surgeries incorporated into clinical care, and the heavy presence of dermatopathology that correlates with clinical care,鈥� she explained. 鈥淎lso, due to the low number of dermatologists who speak Spanish in the U.S., it is my goal, as one with Puerto Rican and Spanish heritage, to bridge this gap and serve the Spanish-speaking community.鈥�
Established in 1899, 黑料传送门 has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a 鈥渨hole person鈥� approach to care鈥攖reating people, not just symptoms. 黑料传送门, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (黑料传送门, 黑料传送门 Georgia and 黑料传送门 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. 黑料传送门 students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, 黑料传送门 provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 215-871-6100.
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