PCOM’s Georgia Locations Celebrate 100% Residency Placement

On Friday, March 15, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students at PCOM South Georgia and PCOM Georgia celebrated a 100% residency placement for the second year in a row.

Students gathered with their classmates to celebrate one of the most important days in their education–the day they learned their residency placement and where they will spend the next few years after graduation concentrating on their chosen specialty.

PCOM grad celebrates her residency placement with her family

PCOM Georgia achieved its highest residency placement rate in the state since opening its doors in 2005 with many students choosing to continue their training at Georgia residency programs such as Northside Gwinnett, Emory Healthcare, Northeast Georgia Medical Center and Morehouse School of Medicine. PCOM Georgia’s graduates will pursue training in specialties including family medicine, internal medicine, anesthesiology and more.

Addressing his classmates moments before the envelope-opening ceremony, Class Chair Dominick Ricci (DO ’24) expressed gratitude for the shared experiences and growth they had encountered together. “It has been the honor of a lifetime to spend these last four years with all of you, learning and growing,” he said. “The people are what make this school truly great.”

The second graduating cohort from PCOM South Georgia followed the footsteps of the Class of 2023 with a successful residency placement across the Southeast. Graduates will train in specialties throughout the state including psychiatry, internal medicine and family medicine at residency programs such as Northeast Georgia Medical Center, Piedmont Macon Medical Center, WellStar Health System, and South Georgia Medical Education and Research Consortium.

Before Match Day, medical students planning to graduate before July 1 register for the NRMP placement system’s funded residency positions. Applicants interview with programs and then rank their top choices. NRMP uses an algorithm to match applicants and programs for the best possible match. Participants receive notification on Match Day, according to the NRMP website.

Students in the class of 2024–who began medical school at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic–celebrated together when they learned their residency placements. After an unprecedented educational journey during a global pandemic, students have a special pride in their class and its achievements.

John Abdool, chair of the PCOM South Georgia class of 2024, addressed his classmates just before they opened envelopes at noon revealing their residency placements.

“Let our love for medicine be a beacon of hope for those we serve, guiding us through the challenges that lie ahead and illuminating the path towards a brighter, healthier future for all,” he said. “Congratulations, class of 2024. Our journey is only just beginning. Let us go forward with passion, purpose and a steadfast commitment to making a difference in the world. I am proud of each and every one of us. Let us continue to be proud of ourselves and be proud of where we come from.”

The DO class of 2024 will graduate in May and report to their residency programs in mid-July.

Cindy Montgomery is the public relations and social media manager for Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine