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Obedience to passion and purpose
Brothers and Sistahs in Medicine meet dual needs through student , community relationships
by Akilah C . Clarke
In the scientific community , Oxford Languages defines symbiosis as “ interaction between two different organisms living in close physical association , typically to the advantage of both .” Oxford further defines the term as “ a mutually beneficial relationship between different people or groups .”
Here in Moultrie , the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine South Georgia is literally and figuratively living up to both definitions through the tireless efforts of two student organizations – Brothers in Medicine and Sistahs in Medicine .
Comprised of roughly 50 young minority men and women in their first year of medical school and their mentors , the organizations initially began as the brainchild of Dr . Robert Walker , associate professor of physiology at PCOM South Georgia . When Walker first thought of the idea of starting an organization for Black male students , he wasn ’ t quite sure what to call it .
“ I think it was something like Black Males and Medicine , and that had a hard time catching traction ,” explained Walker , who is also assistant dean of transformational learning at all three PCOM
More than 20 local men participated in “ Barbershop Talk ,” a discussion panel focusing on emotional health and manhood in the minority community . The event was held Feb . 5 at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Moultrie . Photo by Akilah C . Clarke
32 MoultrieScene JUNE 2023