Scott Orlov, a 2025 Pisacano Scholar, is a fourth-year medical student at Sidney Kimmel Medical College (SKMC) of Thomas Jefferson University. Originally from the northwest suburbs of Chicago, he graduated with distinction from the University of Michigan in 2021, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Health.

As an undergraduate, Scott explored his dual interests in the social and life sciences, cultivating a fascination with how systemic injustices shape individual and community health. He pursued these interests through clinical research on health disparities in ophthalmology and an internship with ADvancing States (formerly NASUAD), where he advocated for health policies supporting older adults by lobbying congressional staff on Capitol Hill.

Scott took a gap year after college, during which he went on a brief detour to Florida to carry out his dream of working as a Walt Disney World Cast Member through the Disney College Program.

Upon matriculating at SKMC, Scott immediately immersed himself in community health and advocacy, seeking opportunities to support marginalized patient populations in Philadelphia. Through Jefferson’s student-run free clinic, he volunteered weekly at a shelter for women and children, counseling patients on smoking cessation, birth control, and mental wellness. He later launched in-house patient education initiatives, leveraging community partnerships to empower his patients. Recognized for his leadership, Scott was asked by a faculty mentor to help reinvent JeffBEACON (Bringing Equity and Care to Our Neighborhood), a program that brings medical students into underserved areas to improve health literacy and rebuild trust in medical institutions. Together, they have expanded the program to 40+ students. Scott continues to pursue community outreach, most recently completing a correctional medicine elective at the Philadelphia Department of Prisons and a community health rotation at Prevention Point, a harm reduction nonprofit. These experiences have reinforced his commitment to providing culturally humble, patient-driven care for disadvantaged populations.

Scott has led multiple efforts to advance family medicine engagement and practice. Through Bridging the Gaps Philadelphia, he interned at Mazzoni Center, an LGBTQ+-focused FQHC look-alike, where he evaluated patient follow-up rates for oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and co-developed health literacy resources to improve adherence. At Jefferson’s family medicine practice, he contributed to a QI project evaluating the implementation of a multidisciplinary hypertension management program, earning the SKMC Dean’s Research Award for his work. He also founded and co-directs Jefferson’s student-led family medicine journal club and serves as student assembly chair of the Pennsylvania Academy of Family Physicians (PAFP). These roles reflect his dedication to strengthening student engagement and leadership within the field.

Scott is excited to dedicate his career to family medicine, partnering with patients to overcome barriers to care, advancing equity through system-level interventions, and leading with compassion, ambition, and humility.

Outside of medicine, Scott enjoys fostering cats, watching reality television, trying new brunch restaurants, and spending time in nature.