Jeffrey Capone
MS/Biomed '16
Jeffrey Capone (MS/Biomed 鈥16)
Jeff Capone (MS/Biomed 鈥16) has always loved the water. Before transferring to the
College of New Jersey (TCNJ) he lived in California, pursuing his goal of becoming
a professional surfer. After moving back home and attending TCNJ, Jeff swam for that
institution while majoring in psychology. During the summers, Jeff worked as a lifeguard
and taught surfing to children with autism through Parents of Autistic Children, a
nonprofit in his hometown of Toms River, New Jersey.
His experience as a lifeguard allowed him to get a first-hand look at medicine through
the many first-aid calls he received. 鈥淭hat started the path to medicine for me, and
I started taking pre-med because of my experience on the beach,鈥 he said.
After graduation, Mr. Capone knew he wanted to go to medical school, but wanted a
little more preparation before beginning that course of study. He chose to enroll
in the Biomedical Sciences program, because he said that curriculum closely mirrors
the medical school curriculum. 鈥淏ecause of my sports background, the area of physical
medicine and rehab really appealed to me,鈥 said Mr. Capone, who has served as the
secretary of PCOM鈥檚 Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Club.
While in the Biomedical Sciences program, Mr. Capone was able to combine his love
of surfing and medicine by starting PCOM鈥檚 first Swim Club. 鈥淚 still wanted to be
active with sports, so I spoke to Mark Cassidy (athletic and recreation manager at
PCOM) to see if we could start a club,鈥 said Mr. Capone. 鈥淲e鈥檝e had a few practices
thus far on St. Joe鈥檚 campus, and the club is open to anyone who wants to swim competitively.鈥
Mr. Capone, who will begin the DO program in the fall, says that practicing osteopathic
manipulative techniques will allow him to once again combine his passions into a career
helping others. 鈥淧hysical medicine and rehabilitation is the perfect combination of
my passions of physical activity and medicine,鈥 he explained. 鈥淚t will allow me to
incorporate my love of fitness into a treatment plan for my patients, and help them
stay healthy through physical activity. The hands-on component of that is a perfect
fit.鈥