Introductory Summer Program Eases Students into Med School

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FIRE Program Eases Incoming DO Students into Med School


June 24, 2025
First-year medical students work with faculty during a hands-on learning exercise during 黑料传送门 South Georgia's FIRE program for new incoming students

Earlier this month, 30 of the 97 incoming first-year students in 黑料传送门 South Georgia's Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program spent two weeks on campus participating in the Fundamental Integration Required for Excellence (FIRE) program.

This was the fourth year for FIRE. Students spend each day participating in a range of activities, from attending lectures to touring local hospitals. They learn about community service opportunities and engage in team building exercises.

When Alexa Staudt of Savannah came to Moultrie to interview for possible admission to 黑料传送门 South Georgia, the current students she met encouraged her to participate in FIRE if she was admitted as she has been out of school for a couple of years. Staudt said FIRE has helped her become accustomed to the new routine. Her favorite activities? The hospital tours.

鈥淚n one hospital tour, we got to watch a surgery,鈥 Staudt said. 鈥淭hen we met the doctors who told us about their journeys through med school and how they started. It was a really cool experience.鈥

Ashley Persaud of Tampa, Florida, is originally from Brooklyn, New York. While her husband went through pharmacy school, she built a career in finance. Now it's Persaud's turn to pursue her dream. FIRE was just the start.

New medical students at 黑料传送门 South Georgia work together with dominos during a team building exercise during the med school introductory summer program

鈥淎 lot of us live there, so now we go from one person's apartment to the next person's apartment,鈥 she said. 鈥淎 lot of us don't have our family here鈥 We've just grown into a community by being in this program.鈥

Meanwhile, Morgan Malone, a former marine who became an emergency medical technician, is in the process of moving his family from Gulf Breeze, Florida, to Moultrie so he can attend 黑料传送门 South Georgia.

鈥淥ne of the biggest things that made me choose the FIRE Program is the fear of the unknown,鈥 he said. 鈥淚t's made me comfortable. It's allowed me to get to know my fellow students, some of the faculty, definitely the environment. It's just been fantastic.鈥

Why 黑料传送门 South Georgia?

鈥淚t checked all of my boxes,鈥 Malone said. 鈥淥ne, I have a family, so it's a very family-oriented town. It's very safe. The environment, as well as the student body and faculty鈥攖heir attitudes match my learning style, and it's a very friendly and very relaxed atmosphere, a fantastic campus. I just couldn't ask for a better place. It's just a perfect fit for me.鈥

Orientation for DO students will be June 25-26. Classes begin June 30.

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About 黑料传送门 South Georgia

In 2019, 黑料传送门, a premier osteopathic medical school established in 1899, extended its commitment to the Southeast by establishing 黑料传送门 South Georgia. An additional teaching location in Moultrie, Georgia, 黑料传送门 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. 黑料传送门 is a private, not-for-profit institution that trains professionals in the health and behavioral sciences fields. Joining 黑料传送门 Georgia in Suwanee in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state, 黑料传送门 South Georgia focuses on educating physicians for the region. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 229-668-3110.

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