August Student of the Month: Ranjit Virk, OMS-III

ACOI recognizes osteopathic medical students who are outstanding members of their medical schools and communities with the Student of the Month Recognition Program.

Please join us in congratulating the August winner: Ranjit Virk, OMS-III, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) - Virginia.

Student Doctor Virk was nominated in recognition of his outstanding service and commitment to his school, community, and osteopathic internal medicine.

In the realm of leadership, Student Doctor Virk holds several local, state, and national leadership roles, including as Co-Lab Manager of the Student Research Connect at VCOM, and National Coordinator for the Student American Academy of Osteopathy (SAAO). He has also served as National Liaison Officer for the VCOM - Virginia chapter of SAAO, and as an OMM Facilitator at VCOM - Virginia.

Student Doctor Virk has taken on numerous volunteer and service opportunities as well. Most recently, he volunteered with Linden Green Apartments for low income households, and with the VCOM - Virginia chapter of SAAO to orchestrate OMM Outreach Events. 

He has also taken initiative through involvement in research opportunities. In addition to serving as a Student Researcher with Student Research Connect at VCOM - Virginia, Student Doctor Virk recently worked with a team under Dr. Christopher Reilly on the publication "Testing dental calculus as a means to determine paleodiet of extinct equid."

Student Doctor Virk exemplifies the ideals of the osteopathic internal medicine community. His combination of service, leadership, academic engagement, and professionalism reflects a deep commitment to patient care and lifelong learning.

Meet Ranjit Virk

What is your hometown?
I grew up in Sterling, Virginia, where I attended Dominion High School. During high school, I had the privilege of serving as both Junior Class President and Student Body President, while also competing on the wrestling team.

Although I was raised in Sterling, I consider Leesburg, Virginia to be my hometown because that's where my family owns and operates Virk Equestrian, our horse ranch. My father immigrated from Punjab, India, and built the ranch from the ground up. During my gap years before beginning my medical career, I worked alongside him developing the property and caring for our horses. My responsibilities ranged from feeding and administering medications to treating injuries, maintaining equipment, and helping care for horses through every stage of life. Those experiences strengthened my work ethic, taught me compassion, and reinforced my desire to pursue medicine.

My heritage has also been a major influence on my life. I'm half Punjabi through my father, while my mother grew up in New England with Eastern European ancestry. Growing up with two distinct cultures taught me to appreciate different perspectives, and my parents have always encouraged my curiosity, education, and commitment to serving others.

What is your education?
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Biology with Honors from James Madison University, graduating with distinction. During my undergraduate years, I became deeply involved in research through the Trelawny Research Learning Community, where I spent four years completing an Honors thesis investigating the paleodiet of extinct equine species using morphological microfossil analysis of dental calculus. That work culminated in a peer-reviewed publication in Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, which remains one of my proudest academic accomplishments.

Outside the laboratory, I served as a mentor within the Trelawny Research Learning Community, was a Second Century Scholar, served as Treasurer of the Biology Honor Society, worked as a microbiology teaching assistant, and helped found Madison STEM Corps, an outreach organization focused on bringing STEM education to underserved K-12 students in underserved communities.

I am currently a medical student at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM–Virginia). Throughout medical school I've remained active in research and leadership, serving as the National Coordinator for the Student American Academy of Osteopathy, former National Liaison Officer for my campus SAAO chapter, Co-Lab Manager of the Student Research Connect, an Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine Facilitator, and served on a Medical Mission trip through VCOM to the Dominican Republic. I'm also involved in multiple research initiatives that include utilization of the AllofUs Database, clinical research, and fostering student scholarship.

What are your hobbies?
Outside of medicine, I enjoy activities that challenge me both physically and mentally. Wrestling has been a part of my life since high school, and today I continue that passion through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

I also spend a great deal of time outdoors. Growing up around horses and working on my family's ranch fostered a lifelong appreciation for nature and animal care. Whether I'm working around the ranch, hiking, or simply spending time outside, I enjoy staying active and connected to the outdoors.

Service has always been another passion of mine. Becoming an Eagle Scout was one of the defining experiences of my youth. Scouting taught me teamwork, resilience, respect for nature, and the importance of serving my community—values that continue to influence how I approach medicine today.

What are three things people may not know about you?

• One thing people may not know about me is that I spent several years volunteering with an organization that uses equine-assisted services to improve the lives of individuals with physical, intellectual, and emotional disabilities. Loudoun Therapeutic Riding is Virginia's original therapeutic riding program and a PATH International Premier Accredited Center, dedicated to helping participants build confidence, independence, and overall well-being through the unique bond between horse and rider.
• The second thing people may not know about me is that I spent a month living in Mongolia where I trekked on horseback for a month across the steppe, competed in a local Naadam wrestling tournament, and was interviewed twice on National Mongolian television.
• Lastly, most people may not know that while hiking the Rocky Mountains during a two-week trek that my crew and I accidentally slept in a puma den.

How has ACOI helped you in your education so far?
Being involved with the American College of Osteopathic Internists (ACOI) has helped reinforce my interest in Internal Medicine while providing opportunities for professional development and networking with physicians who share my career interests. Through ACOI, I've been able to attend educational events, connect with mentors, and gain greater exposure to Internal Medicine as both a specialty and a profession.

The organization has complemented my classroom education by introducing me to current topics in internal medicine, encouraging lifelong learning, and allowing me to interact with residents and attending physicians. These experiences have strengthened my confidence in pursuing Internal Medicine and have helped me better understand the expectations of residency and future practice.

Do you have an idea of what specialty you would like to go into?
Yes. I plan to pursue Internal Medicine, with the long-term goal of specializing in Endocrinology.

My interest in endocrinology began while working as a Medical Assistant at the Endocrine Diabetes and Osteoporosis Clinic. There, I worked under an endocrinologist caring for patients with diabetes, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, pituitary disorders, and other chronic endocrine conditions. I saw how meaningful long-term physician-patient relationships could be and how much of an impact education and continuity of care have on patient outcomes.

As I've progressed through medical school, that interest has only grown stronger. I enjoy the complexity of endocrine physiology, the diagnostic reasoning involved in managing chronic diseases, and the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with patients over many years.