Jaemi Chu

“I want to be able to diagnose and treat patients when there is a lack of medical imaging techniques, blood tests or expensive facilities,” shares Jaemi Chu, a pre-med with her sights set on missionary and global public health work. “Being able to help patients with osteopathic medical treatment is one of the main reasons why I chose the Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) path.”

It was during a shadowing opportunity through the Penn Pre-Health Programs that Jaemi found her calling in osteopathic medicine. “While studying at Penn, I learned that I could pave the way for what I wanted in the future. This program allowed me to gain a unique education that would prepare me for medical training.”

Jaemi came to Penn to strengthen her academic record and to explore the medical field through research and clinical experiences. "I got to do it all. The opportunities here don't compare to any other post-bacc program. It was a no-brainer for me," she smiles. While working full-time as a lab tech with Penn Medicine on DNA vaccines, Jaemi also helped doctors with their research in adult and pediatric emergency medicine, and at the same time completed the pre-health courses.

In addition to research, Jaemi also shadowed the General Surgery Residency Program Director of the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), Dr. Arthur Sesso. One of her most valuable experiences through PCOM was attending a clerkship course with third-year medical students. There she learned how to assess patients through palpation of the musculoskeletal system as well as the ins-and-outs of medical professional behavior.

The flexibility of Penn’s Pre-Health Programs helped Jaemi to craft an academic profile that supported her DO school applications. “Some of the best advice I had was, ‘take your time.’ I’m an independent spirit, and I like to pick and choose what I want to do. My advisors at Penn were super committed to the students. They guided me to pick the courses and experiences that best fit my interests and busy schedule.”

After completing her Pre-Health Certificate in 2015, Jaemi is now onto her next journey: Michigan State College of Osteopathic Medicine. “I’m excited about the future,” she beams, “With the DO tenets integrated into the medical education, I will be well-equipped to help patients feel better on the spot, and work with them to figure out the best treatment option.”