PCOM South Georgia Student Named Global Scholar of the Year

PCOM South Georgia Student Named Global Scholar of the Year
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PCOM South Georgia Student Named Global Scholar of the Year
March 16, 2026
A second-year medical student at
PCOM South Georgia
has been recognized for her global health service and leadership.
Sydney Williams (DO '28)
Sydney Williams, a
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
student in the Class of 2028, was named
Global Scholar of the Year
through the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP). The award
recognizes osteopathic medical students who demonstrate leadership and meaningful
engagement in global health initiatives during their training.
For Williams, the recognition reflects years of service experiences that have shaped
her path in medicine.
“Receiving this award is meaningful to me because global health and service have been
a consistent part of my journey in medicine,” she said.
Williams has traveled to 28 countries, with several trips involving healthcare and
community programs. In Ghana, she assisted with malaria testing and wound care in
schools. In Kenya, she worked with HIV-positive women through wellness information
sessions and initiatives that helped participants develop skills and launch small
businesses. In Tanzania, she taught English and science while also working alongside
a school physician, an experience that allowed her to observe the relationship between
education and health in underserved communities.
Her service also includes work in Costa Rica, where she volunteered at a free residential
HIV clinic serving LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing homelessness. There, she assisted
with basic clinical tasks such as taking vitals and helping with patient intake.
Williams has also participated in global service remotely. Through
ENGin
, a nonprofit program that connects volunteers with students in Ukraine, she provided
weekly virtual English lessons.
“Across all of these experiences, I’ve gained a deeper appreciation for the social,
cultural, and economic factors that influence health outcomes,” she said. “Being recognized
by PCOM South Georgia for work that reflects these values is truly an honor.”
As she completes her second year and prepares to enter clinical rotations, Williams
said her training at PCOM has emphasized both scientific knowledge and the humanistic
aspects of patient care.
“PCOM has prepared me well for clinical training by emphasizing both strong foundational
science and the humanistic side of medicine,” she noted. “Through leadership roles,
research, and service opportunities, I’ve had the chance to develop skills beyond
the classroom, such as collaboration, communication, and community engagement, that
are essential in patient care.”
Williams said the school’s emphasis on health disparities, social determinants of
health and global health perspectives has further influenced her approach to medicine.
“Those perspectives, combined with my own volunteer experiences, have helped shape
the way I plan to approach patient care and have prepared me to enter clinical rotations
with curiosity, empathy and a strong commitment to service,” she added.
The experiences that earned Williams the Global Scholar of the Year award are also
part of her ongoing motivation for becoming a physician.
“What continues to inspire me is the opportunity to serve communities that have historically
had limited access to care, both locally and globally,” she explained. "My experiences
volunteering locally and internationally have shown me how powerful compassion, education
and access to resources can be in improving people’s quality of life."
Williams also credits the physicians and mentors she has encountered along the way
for reinforcing that mission.
“Seeing the impact that thoughtful, patient-centered physicians can make motivates
me to continue pursuing opportunities to serve others and to approach medicine with
curiosity, humility and a global perspective.”
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