Christian Edwards was born and raised in Moultrie, Georgia. A graduate of Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC), he is married and his wife has a business in town.

“We are very invested in the community,” he said. “It’s really exciting that you can become a physician without leaving Moultrie.”

Edwards is one of the members of the PCOM South Georgia inaugural class of 55 doctor of osteopathic medicine students who attended a welcome luncheon, hosted by the Office of Admissions, last week. It was the first time that students, faculty and staff members have come together at the new campus. Formal orientation will take place the week of August 5.

“We chose you and you chose us,” Chief Academic Officer Michael J. Sampson, DO, FAOASM, said.

“And you will soon find out that as the inaugural class, you are rock stars in South Georgia,” he said. Dana Brooks, assistant director of admissions for PCOM South Georgia, led students through icebreaker activities prior to touring them through the facility.

“Being able to go to medical school in my home town has blown me away,” said Xavia Taylor, a Fort Valley State University 2018 graduate who majored in biotechnology.

Currently working in Human Resources at Colquitt Regional Medical Center, she said she has wanted to become a physician since childhood. “My favorite dress-up clothes were scrubs,” she said.

“I’m supposed to be here,” she believes. “The year I wanted to go to medical school, my hometown gets one.” She wants to make sure the transition to Moultrie is comfortable for her fellow students and plans to be a liaison between her classmates and the community. “I want them to feel at home,” she said.

“You were selected to be members of this class from an applicant pool of 3,158,” said Deborah Benvenger, PCOM’s chief admissions officer. “I encourage you to embrace this phenomenal journey and enjoy it.”

Addressing the students from hometowns like Albany, Valdosta, Jasper and Macon, Justina Mason, Assistant Director of Student Affairs, said, “This is your campus, your home.”