VCOM View Magazine Vol. 13 | No. 1

Student Spotlight Sydney Moriarty ’25 Awarded Prestigious Presidential Memorial Leadership Scholarship from the AOF and AOA by Amy Ostroth

S ydney Moriarty, VCOM-Virginia ’25, hails from Nokesville, Virginia, a small community in the countryside southwest of Washington, D.C. She grew up on a farm working with horses before heading to Blacksburg to pursue an undergraduate degree in clinical neuroscience at Virginia Tech. Even then, Sydney had dreams of being a physician, but she also enjoyed the research opportunities she had at Virginia Tech. “During my undergraduate studies, I was torn because I loved research (and still do!) and had trouble deciding between pursuing a PhD before medical school vs. going directly into medical school and pursuing research there,” she recalls. Fortunately, one of her research experiences was in Virginia Tech’s well regarded helmet lab. It was there that she was introduced to Gunnar Brolinson, DO, who serves as VCOM’s vice president for research. “Dr. Brolinson mentored me and guided me on how I could still do research while pursuing my goal of one day becoming a physician-scientist,” Sydney says. “He introduced me to VCOM during my time at Virginia Tech, and I knew this was the right path for me.” Her experience at VCOM has been mutually beneficial. Sydney has received an excellent medical education, and VCOM has benefitted from her leadership and commitment to the osteopathic profession. As a second-year student, Sydney served as chapter president of VCOM’s Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO) chapter. In her third year, she was the SAAO Mid Atlantic Regional Coordinator, and this year she is the executive council vice chair. She is

also the site ambassador for the Carilion Roanoke Rotation site. Because of her dedication, in October, Sydney was recognized at the 2024 Osteopathic Medical Education Conference with the Presidential Memorial Leadership Scholarship. This $10,000 scholarship is presented by the American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) and the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) to students who are deeply committed to the principals of osteopathic medicine, are student leaders in the field and inspire change, motivate those around them, and lead by example. It is one of the most prestigious scholarships awarded by the two organizations. Sydney is grateful for the recognition. “I am excited for the future of osteopathic medicine and proud to be a part of it,” she says. “This scholarship has continued fueling my passion for moving osteopathic medicine forward. We are given incredible tools to help and change the lives of those around us. It takes a team; we are stronger together.” In fact, that sense of teamwork and being in it together is what Sydney likes best about VCOM. Medical school requires dedication and perseverance, even through difficult classes and challenging blocks. But for Sydney, that was when the VCOM sense of community really shone through. “Some of my favorite memories were studying late in the library or Sandy Hall at Virginia Tech for an exam,” she recalls. “One person would bring energy drinks for the group, and we’d all study for hours. After we had exhausted every last drop of brain power, we’d head over to Benny’s for pizza before heading home.”

24 Student Spotlight