Student Dr. Jonathan J. Brisson recently completed an externship with Thomas Byrnes, D.O., at REDICARE-Urgent Medical Care in Richmond Hill this month. 
Brisson is a third-year student at the Georgia Campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine Georgia. He chose to perform a clinical rotation with Byrnes because he was looking for an opportunity to gain experience in a unique medical-care setting, while honing his skill in performing osteopathic manipulative treatment on real patients. 
Brisson said he enjoyed interacting with a variety of patients who presented with the normal wide spectrum of issues that are regularly dealt with at REDICARE.
Byrnes is board certified in family medicine and one of three physicians in Georgia who are board certified in neuromusculoskeletal medicine/osteopathic manipulative medicine. He is on the clinical faculty of GA-PCOM, teaching osteopathic medical students that rotate through his office on monthlong clinical rotations.
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) is applied by a trained physician to treat a specific musculoskeletal diagnosis. It is part of an osteopathic approach to health care that works to improve the outcomes of routine medical care.
Brisson and his wife, Lindsey, are both from Charlotte, N.C. At GA-PCOM, he is active in the Student Osteopathic Medical Association and the Internal Medicine Club.
He received the Harter award for undergraduate research and is a member of the Tri Beta Honor Society. Scheduled to graduate in June 2012, he is an HPSP Scholarship recipient. 
Brisson will be commissioned as an active-duty lieutenant in the U.S. Navy upon graduating.