Editor’s Note: Each month, InterCOM will highlight a “Student of the Month” from the College of Medicine. Students will be featured for their participation in activities outside of medical school and for making a difference in the community. The goal is to recognize students for what they are doing and to encourage other students to get involved in the community. After all, medical school should be much more than studying.
Personal:
I grew up in Lincoln, attended East High School, and then received a bachelor’s degree in business from Colorado State University (Go Rams!). After working in finance for four years in Denver, I realized that I was searching for something more in my life and decided to follow my childhood interest in health and science – combined with my passion for meeting new people and forming long-term relationships – and pursue a career in medicine. I enrolled in a one-year post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at Montana State University in Bozeman, took advantage of living in arguably the finest trout fishing region in the country, and ended up back amongst family and friends in Nebraska.
Activities:
- Former co-president, SHARING Clinics Student Advisory Committee;
- Society for Student-Run Free Clinics National Leadership Committee (current);
- UNMC Student Delegates (current);
- UNMC Jamaica Service Trip;
- Co-founder, 2014 Helping Hands across Bozeman not-for-profit – we provided life assistance to low-income, underserved patients throughout the Bozeman valley who were in the process of recovering from major surgical procedures or medical illness.
Hobbies:
Mountain biking, fly-fishing, hiking, camping, snowboarding, photography, traveling, and cooking — especially Thai, Italian, and anything on the grill.
Staying Balanced:
One of the most challenging – but essential – aspects of med school is maintaining a sense of balance in life. Thankfully, my fellow classmates and friends tend to share this outlook. To stay balanced, my friends and I make a point of checking out Omaha’s newest restaurants, attending Jazz on the Green in Turner Park, and joining in the chaos that is the Taco Ride on Thursday nights in the summer.
Also, becoming involved in the SHARING Clinics, both as a Student Advisory Committee member and as a student-doctor seeing patients in the clinic on Tuesday nights, helped me maintain a sense of perspective on why I went into medicine in the first place.
List three things people may not know about you:
- I have a 110 lb. Newfoundland named Madison. There is nothing in life that she’d rather do than jump into a river and chase after a fish splashing around on the end of someone’s line. She’s never caught one, but that doesn’t stop her from trying.
- One of my lifelong goals is to work as a physician in a foreign country for part of every year, helping to set up local clinics, hospitals, and educational programs for local health care professionals.
- If I didn’t go to med school, I’d be a fly-fishing guide in Bozeman, Mont. by day and a chef by night. But, I’m incredibly happy I chose med school. I cannot imagine doing anything more rewarding with my life.