UP DATES — CO MMEN CEMEN T 201 3
The Legacy Continues Never Too Young
Three generations of the PCOM family: Jon R. Henwood, DO ’91; Carol L. Henwood, DO ’83; John Dahdah, DO ’13; and William R. Henwood, DO ’76.
PCOM has a proud history of graduating multiple generations of same-family physicians, including several families with six or more PCOM-trained doctors. Joining the tradition at this year’s DO commencement was third-generation PCOM physician John Dahdah, DO ’13, who says he has “been around medicine for as long as I can remember.” Dr. Dahdah is the son of Carol L. Henwood, DO ’83, the grandson of William R. Henwood, DO ’76, and the nephew of Jon R. Henwood, DO ’91, and Maria J. Henwood, DO ’97. Having witnessed his great-grandmother’s dementia, Dr. Dahdah began his college career studying neuroscience, with the goal of providing hope to those suffering with Alzheimer’s disease. It didn’t take long for this “people person” to realize that the lab bench was not for him, and he chose medicine and the power of touch. “We are global brothers and sisters, and it’s our responsibility to take care of one another,” declares Dr. Dahdah. “Being a doctor is my contribution.” As Dr. Dahdah prepares for the long hours of residency, he will remind himself that “this is the dream job I’ve always wanted, but now it is not about me; it’s about the patients. I know I will be tired and there will be good days and bad days, but if I can do something excellent on a bad day, imagine what I can do on a good day.” Dr. Dahdah will complete his residency in internal medicine at Geisinger Medical Center in Danville with the aspiration of working in critical care medicine. “I want to be a partner in health with my patients,” he says, explaining his role. “The relationship between a doctor and his patient is dynamic. I want to give patients and their families a sense of realistic optimism and to ensure they’re making their tough decisions based on realistic expectations about outcomes.”
Dr. Harding was hooded by H. William Craver, III, DO ’87, dean and chief academic officer of the osteopathic program, GA–PCOM.
Serennah Harding, DO ’13, graduated from GA–PCOM to become one of the youngest doctors in U.S. history. “Ever since I was 12, I wanted to be a doctor,” says the 22-year-old graduate. “Watching how doctors interacted with my family after one of my brothers needed several major operations, I was inspired and wanted to be a part of that.” Dr. Harding was home schooled along with her nine siblings, and she entered college, as did five of her siblings, at the age of 12. She graduated from college at 17 and studied biomedical sciences for a year at GA–PCOM before entering the DO program. Her age, she says, was never an issue. “I was in the same phase of life as some of my peers and in a different phase from others,” she explains. “I found my niche among those who accepted me as a colleague and friend.” Being home schooled helped Dr. Harding meet the challenges of college and medical school. “My parents encouraged self-learning and finding the resources we needed.” Dr. Harding received the Dean’s Award, and as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy, she is doing her residency at Walter Reed National Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. DIGEST 2013
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