Fall term at PCOM South Georgia begins Aug. 12, but about half of the incoming cohort of first–year students in the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program already spent two weeks on campus and in the community participating in the FIRE (Fundamental Integration Required for Excellence) program.

Jason Walker, PhD, PCOM assistant dean of transformational learning and an associate professor of physiology, created the optional pre-matriculation program as a way to help participants gain an understanding of what medical school will be like. This summer was the third year for FIRE.

“Being a student doctor can be overwhelming,” Dr. Walker said. “Medical school has a much faster pace and more is expected from students than in a bachelor’s or master’s degree program. We want to make sure students understand before classes start. During FIRE they get an idea of what’s expected from them and what to look forward to. That way our students are prepared to succeed from day one.”

FIRE, which ran July 15-26 on the PCOM South Georgia campus in Moultrie, included lectures on topics the students will study as part of the DO curriculum in addition to other topics and activities, such as mental wellness, diversity, volunteering at the community food bank and touring three hospitals.

“The FIRE program helped me acclimate to Moultrie and gave me an early glimpse into the life of a medical student,” said Jay Rogers (DO '28) of Perry, Georgia. “Those two weeks are an excellent resource for incoming DO students. The mental wellness activities were my favorite part of the program. They provided valuable education and awareness about mental health, benefiting students both personally and in their future roles as physicians.”

For students who have not been in the classroom for a while, FIRE helps with the transition.

“I believe that FIRE better prepared me for the beginning of medical school,” Barrington Francis (DO '28) of Acworth, Georgia, said. “I have been out of school for two years now. Getting re-familiarized with the material along with getting a sense of various professors’ teaching styles has helped immensely. Also, the ability to make friends before orientation has made the transition feel less daunting.”

Other FIRE participants valued the opportunity to meet their classmates and professors before fall term starts.

“My favorite activity was with the diversity office,” said Sydney Williams (DO '28) of Fayetteville, Georgia. “I learned a lot about my classmates, and it created some really good conversations within our group and made us closer. I definitely feel more prepared for school after the FIRE program. Being able to meet professors and have real lectures in a smaller group was a great content refresher. That allowed us to ask more questions than we usually will.”

During the two weeks of the FIRE program, these new students also learned more about Moultrie and South Georgia, which may be very different from home for many of them.

“I chose PCOM South Georgia because I felt like being away from the city would give me a better opportunity to focus, and the smaller class size would allow for tighter relationships with professors and classmates,” Williams said.

Rogers said, “The significance of mental health is increasing rapidly, particularly in rural areas. I am passionate about understanding and addressing mental health symptoms and illnesses. PCOM South Georgia offers an ideal environment to gain valuable experience in a rural setting where access to certain resources can be limited.”

Francis said, “The reason I decided to attend PCOM South Georgia was due to the community and family feel. During my interview process, when I was able to interact with current medical students, it was evident how much each student had been enjoying their time as a medical student here … The experience truly feels different because whether you are speaking with a security guard, a janitorial worker, a professor, or another student, everyone you interact with is kind, and it truly feels like everyone cares about your wellbeing.”