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Meet our DO Students

At Rowan-Virtua SOM, our students are more than just future doctors—they are pioneers, advocates, and leaders. Representing a global array of backgrounds, they are united by a singular mission: providing thoughtful, whole-person osteopathic care to the communities that need it most.

Mikayla Brackett, Class of 2029

Mikayla Brackett takes us along for a first-hand tour of a Rowan-Virtua SOM Open House. She explores the "life" side of being a medical student in South Jersey - what to eat, where to live, the best places to study, and much more!

Why did Mikayla choose Rowan?
"The mission...how dedicated they are to the principles of osteopathic medicine, to what it means to be a physician in today's world. When I was here for my own open house experience about a year ago, I felt what can only be described as a wave of community. This community is something so special and I'm proven right almost every single day."

Tanvi Shah, Class of 2026

At Rowan-Virtua SOM we are proud of our osteopathic background. The philosophy of approaching health care from a holistic vision extends into the classroom, clinical settings, and community outreach. Tanvi Shah talks about her reasons for choosing to study osteopathy.

When did you first learn about osteopathic medicine?
"I shadowed a DO who was an oncologist and I really loved the way she interacted with her patients and the time she took to validate the entirety of the experience that they were feeling."

Jason Richwall, Class of 2027

SOM medical student Jason Richwall wears his white coat and smiles while standing on the landing of the staircase in the academic center. Banners hang on the walls behind him

Jason always dreamed of going to medical school and knew that academic reinforcement from a Special Master’s Program leading up to medical school would be beneficial for him. The Pathways to SOM program was a perfect fit. They share faculty with the medical school and also offer a guaranteed interview at SOM if you maintain your GPA.

How did the Pathways to SOM program prepare you for medical school?
"I hit the ground running at SOM and was ready to attack the rigors of med school with the strong academic foundation and the independent study strategies that translated from the Special Master’s Program to medical school," says Jason. "I took a different path to becoming a DO – a gap year working full time at a doctor's office and graduating from the TBES Master of Biomedical Sciences program – but all of those steps have helped me fulfill my dream."