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POMA wants The Journal of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association to be a safe space for all DOs to have a voice and be heard. Opportunities to contribute in all content areas are open to all osteopathic medical students, residents and physicians. Share your thoughts, ideas and submissions via email to [email protected].
*Views expressed in The Journal of the Pennsylvania Osteopathic Medical Association are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editorial board, The JPOMA, or POMA unless specified.
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Being a Doctor
February 2026 | Vol. 70, No. 1
By Barry Getzoff, DO, PCOM '60
Once we have completed our certifications and additional training, we open a practice—either by joining one or starting our own solo practice. What happens after that is subject to how you interpret being a doctor. No one tells you what to do or how to approach a patient or what to say in the examining room. I found a few things that have been helpful and have led to a successful practice. One of them is to be a good listener and absorb as much as you can of what the person is saying while trying not to be distracted by Notes or a computer. The other thing I found is that you need to be a patient advocate in this day and age with insurance issues, they’re always problems getting things certified, and it’s helpful if you go to bat for your patient. That is always appreciated. I’ve always tried to look professional, and I always get compliments from patients on my attire. That is extremely helpful in gaining patient confidence. Lastly, it’s very important to be current in your specialty, and it is very helpful in the examining room when patients ask appropriate questions that you are able to give them an answer in real time. I hope this information is helpful. |
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From Patient to Future Pediatrician: An Osteopathic Journey
October 2025 | Vol. 69, No. 3
Written by Aloki Mehta, LECOM OMS-IV
My osteopathic journey began during my own recovery, when I felt the power of care that acknowledged not just my symptoms, but my whole being. That experience opened my eyes to the profound connection between mind, body, and spirit, and to the healing that comes from truly listening to a patient’s story. These principles continue to guide me as I look toward a career in pediatrics. I hope to create a space where children and families feel seen, understood, and empowered, using a holistic, prevention-focused approach that nurtures health far beyond the walls of the exam room. |
How I Earned Money in Med School
October 2025 | Vol. 69, No. 3
Written by Ted Eisenberg, DO
I got married just before the start of my second year at PCOM, 1973. We had no income and needed to earn some money. I got a nighttime job doing arterial blood gases through the Pulmonary Lab at a local hospital. When I got a call in the middle of the night, I’d turn on the bedroom light and stomp on the floor to scatter the water bugs that lived in our second-floor garden apartment with us. I didn’t mind this wake-up because at $15 a blood gas, it meant possible rent money. And, because the Internist needed these values to adjust the ventilator, it usually meant that at least several blood gases were ordered. Six blood gases weren’t good for the patient, but for me, it was a really good night. As a bonus, I also got a better understanding of blood gases, ventilator adjustments, and some ICU medicine in general. |
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