Growing up in a small town, Teighlor Ashburn, DO β26, recalls having to travel far for healthcare appointments, which made her aware at an early age of the barriers many rural communities face.
It wasnβt until she began working as a medical assistant that Ashburn realized her interest in medicine and the patient-physician relationship. When ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ South Georgia hosted an open house in 2020, she recognized it as her opportunity.
βFrom the first time I walked through the doors, it felt like a true home away from home,β she said.
Her decision to pursue her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree was solidified by the Collegeβs strong academic foundation and the commitment to community engagement demonstrated by faculty and staff. She said the programβs emphasis on patient-centered care and its mission to serve underserved populations were an added bonus, as they closely aligned with her personal values.
βTo me, ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ represents a supportive community that invests in its students,β she said. βFrom the very beginning, it was an environment where I felt known, not just as a student, but as an individual.β
Throughout her time at ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ South Georgia, Ashburn found more than a rigorous medical educationβshe found a community that invested in her growth.
βWhat stood out the most at ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ was the culture of advocacy and support. There was a shared commitment to helping each other grow, whether it was through encouragement during challenging moments or supporting one another academically. That environment not only made the curriculum more manageable, but also modeled the kind of culture I hope to contribute to in my future career.β
As Class Chair, she advocated for her peers and contributed to enhancing the student experience, while her involvement as an AHEC Scholar and participation in the Farmworker Project allowed her to engage directly with underserved populations and reinforced her foundational commitment to improving healthcare access in communities like her own.
Now, Ashburn looks ahead to the next chapter of her journey as a Family Medicine resident at South Georgia Medical Center in Valdosta. She plans to remain in the South Georgia region, providing comprehensive, lifelong care to individuals and families while emphasizing prevention, education, and continuity.
βOne piece of advice I would give to those coming behind me is not to feel pressured to have everything figured out early,β she said. βMy path into medicine was not completely linear, and it evolved as I gained more experience and exposure. I would encourage others to stay open to opportunities and trust that growth often comes from experiences you donβt expect.β
In 2019, ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ, a premier osteopathic medical school established in 1899, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ South Georgia offers both a full, four-year medical program leading to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree and a Master of Science in Biomedical Sciences. ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, ΊΪΑΟ΄«ΛΝΓΕ South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.
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Gabrielle DePietro
Associate Director, News and Media Relations
Office of Marketing and Communications
Email: gabrielde2@pcom.edu
Office: 215-871-6304