News — Every year the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Council on each campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) selects a Student Doctor of the Year. Sponsored by the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents, a part of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM), the Student Doctor of the Year award recognizes a student committed to the principles of leadership, community service, dedication and professionalism.
The following student physicians do more than just volunteer in their communities. They find ways to make contributions that will make lasting impacts and improve life for others:
- Kayla Davenport (DO ’25) – PCOM
- Will Anderson (DO ’26) – PCOM Georgia
- Brigitte Cochran (DO ’26) – PCOM South Georgia
PCOM’s Student Doctors of the Year go on to compete for the National Student Doctor of the Year award. While PCOM’s honorees excel in academics and leadership, the need to contribute to society is a passion they all share.
Kayla Davenport (DO ’25) – PCOM Winner
New Jersey native Kayla Davenport has been named PCOM's 2025 Student Doctor of the Year (SDOY) in recognition of her dedication to community service and her passion for helping others. As a first-generation medical student, this achievement is particularly meaningful for Davenport, who was previously nominated for the award in 2023. “Winning this award after not being selected a few years ago feels incredible,” she shared. “I love giving back to my community, so receiving this recognition is just an added bonus.”
Davenport's interest in osteopathic medicine stems from her personal experiences with healthcare. Having faced some negative experiences with medication herself, she was drawn to the holistic, whole-body approach that osteopathic medicine emphasizes.
In addition to serving as the DO Class Chair for the Class of 2025, Davenport was named a 2024 McGruder-Knox Scholar. She is also the co-founder and an active member of the Philadelphia chapter of Sisters in Medicine, an initiative dedicated to supporting the success of Black women in medical and graduate school.
“As a woman of color in medicine, I wanted to help create a supportive community for others like me—not just to share challenges and struggles, but also to drive meaningful change within the field and for future generations,” Davenport explained. “It’s important to show BIPOC individuals that there are physicians who look like them and that receiving medical care can be a positive, empowering experience.”
Will Anderson (DO ’26) – PCOM Georgia Winner
For Will Anderson, being named PCOM Georgia’s 2025 Student Doctor of the Year was a humbling experience. “I was very surprised when I found out I received this award, " Anderson said. “While I can acknowledge that I have done a lot of work on campus, it has always been because I saw an opportunity to fill in a gap, not to receive special recognition.”
Throughout Anderson’s time studying at PCOM Georgia, he has held many advocacy and mentoring roles for his fellow students. In addition to serving as a peer tutor and class representative, Will Anderson also served as President of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and the Pathology Club.
“It was actually students in the class below me that encouraged me to pursue this award,” Anderson shared. “They saw my class leadership and commitment as peer tutor and mentor and told me I’d be a great candidate, it felt good to hear that validation.”
Originally from Atlanta, Anderson’s selfless approach to service is something he also sees in his classmates and teachers, which is what initially drew him to pursuing a medical degree at PCOM Georgia. “This is why I love PCOM,” Anderson explains. “The College is super community-focused and everyone is so down-to-earth and willing to help each other. It’s been a great experience.”
Brigitte Cochran (DO ’26) – PCOM South Georgia Winner
Brigitte Cochran was on a dermatology clinical rotation in Arizona when she received the news that she had been named PCOM South Georgia’s Student Doctor of the Year. She opened the message while on her lunch break.
“I had to read the email a couple of times until I processed that I was chosen,” she said. “I felt so honored as well as acknowledged for the work that I have achieved thus far in my medical career. This means everything to me! It means that I am making a difference thus far and only motivates me to continue to try and be better every day.”
Her most valuable lesson so far is rooted in the basics of osteopathic medicine.
“Treat the person, not the disease,” she said. “Listen to your patients and make sure you are addressing what matters to them. Always make sure that treatment is guided by both physician and patient.”
Originally from Palm Harbor, Florida, Cochran plans to put her skills to use in a specialty that will provide her with unique opportunities—dermatology.
“As the founder and president of the Dermatology Club at PCOM South Georgia, she organized numerous educational events, hands-on workshops, and fundraising initiatives to provide sunscreen and skincare products to underserved populations,” said Rajay Dockery (DO ’27), president of the South Georgia DO Council. “Her roles as a student ambassador, peer tutor, and medical Spanish teaching assistant further underscore her commitment to education and mentorship.”
For Cochran, dermatology will help her connect with patients on a personal level.
“It is the one of the only specialties that includes continued care with patients resulting in strong long-term relationships, surgeries incorporated into clinical care, and the heavy presence of dermatopathology that correlates with clinical care,” she explained. “Also, due to the low number of dermatologists who speak Spanish in the U.S., it is my goal, as one with Puerto Rican and Spanish heritage, to bridge this gap and serve the Spanish-speaking community.”
About Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine
Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM) has trained thousands of highly competent, caring physicians, health practitioners and behavioral scientists who practice a “whole person” approach to care—treating people, not just symptoms. PCOM, a private, not-for-profit accredited institution of higher education, operates three campuses (, and ) and offers doctoral degrees in clinical psychology, educational psychology, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, and school psychology. The college also offers graduate degrees in applied behavior analysis, applied positive psychology, biomedical sciences, forensic medicine, medical laboratory science, mental health counseling, physician assistant studies, and school psychology. PCOM students learn the importance of health promotion, research, education and service to the community. Through its community-based Healthcare Centers, PCOM provides care to medically underserved populations. For more information, visit or call 215-871-6100.
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