Every month the University of Nebraska Medicine College of Medicine newsletter, InterCOM, features one student. This month Kilgore, Neb., native, Nathan Van Winkle, a second-year medical student, is being highlighted.
His reflection on his activities and interests at UNMC and in his life are given below.
Name: Nathan I. Van Winkle
Hometown: Kilgore, Neb.
Program/Year: College of Medicine/second year
Education: Bachelor of science in health care administration and policy from Creighton University and master’s degree in biomedical science from Regis University
Activities:
Treasurer of College of Medicine Class of 2020,
Family Med Interest Group Philanthropy Chairman,
Student Alliance for Rural Health Treasurer,
Endocrinology Interest Group Vice President, and
Phi Rho Sigma Medical Fraternity Member.
Staying Balanced:
My new wife and I really enjoy spending time together. We take time every day to debrief our days and then sneak in a little binge watching of one of our favorite TV shows. We also really enjoy spending time with our family and friends usually around some unnecessarily massive spread of food. Regardless of what we do, as long as we are together, we are happy.
List three things people may not know about you:
1.I grew up in a tiny town with a population less than 100 people. The sign on the highway says 99, but that is just the people who get their mail at our post office. There are really only 60 people within the city limits. That being said, I wouldn’t change a thing about my childhood. It was an awesome opportunity hidden within what appeared as a limitation.
2.I love making my bed. It is one of the best things a person can do in my opinion, because it’s a simple task that helps start your day off with an easy success. Even if your day doesn’t get better from there, you have something waiting for you at home that gives tomorrow that extra little bit of hope.
3.I’m a HUGE Harry Potter fan! As a child, reading was the easiest way to escape to an unknown place. I even went so far as to carve a couple wands for myself. While on my honeymoon this summer, I was able to visit Harry Potter World at Universal Studios Orlando and it was like stepping into my childhood. And yes, I did purchase wand(s) from Ollivander’s while I was there. Now I just need the magic to get through STEP1.