Nick Hess, ’08, received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology from Muskingum. After graduating Muskingum, the Springboro, Ohio native attended Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine in Athens, Ohio.
His first two years of medical school, Hess completed coursework in Athens. The second two years were comprised of clinical rotations at Grandview Medical Center in Dayton, Ohio.
Hess says, “Upon graduating from OU-HCOM in 2012, I was accepted into the Family Medicine Residency Program at Grandview, and I am now a third-year Family Medicine resident.” When he graduates in June, Hess will take a faculty position at Grandview. He will be an attending physician and will be responsible for seeing patients and educating residents and students. Hess is also participating in a health policy fellowship known as the Training in Policy Studies (TIPS) program, which will prepare him to assume future leadership roles in the profession and positions of influence in health policy.
Although Hess had been considering medicine as a possible career path since high school, it was Dr. Joyce Alesandrini, a professor of music at Muskingum, who “was instrumental in facilitating this realization. She asked me one day to picture my future career in my mind and to describe what I saw. Without hesitation, I envisioned a white coat with a stethoscope. The decision had been made.”
I chose Muskingum for a few reasons. When I was a senior in high school, one of my best friends was attending Muskingum. She encouraged me to apply and even gave me a tour when I visited. I also was very fortunate to receive an academic scholarship and scholarships for music and science, which greatly help me financially.
Hess says, “Muskingum not only helped me prepare for my career but for life. The Muskingum Science Faculty were amazing and gave me a great introduction to the scientific concepts that would form the foundation necessary for me to be successful at understanding medical science at the graduate level. Danny Ingold, Ph.D. and Amy Santas, Ph.D. as well the rest of the Biology Department, provided constant guidance and encouragement.”
Hess is also thankful for the requirement of Liberal Arts Essentials. “The ability to express myself through writing in Literature courses taught by Richard Williamson, Ph.D. and Biblical Studies courses taught by Peter Gosnell, Ph.D. shaped me as a student and helped expand my academics beyond science.”
The support of the Music Department was valuable to Hess as well. He learned about responsibility and teamwork, and says he still draws on advice from the late Dr. William Schlacks, who was “a giving and nurturing educator who provided me with countless opportunities to learn dependability, integrity, and leadership.”
Hess advises college seniors to “get in touch with who you are as a person.” He says, “This may sound elementary, but think about what your goals are, where you want to be in the future, and what would make you happy. Next, ask for help. The Admissions Office and Academic Faculty were great resources for me. Also, talk to your friends and family, they know you best. Lastly, work hard and keep an open mind. No path that is worth taking is easy, and life often challenges you to rethink your aspirations. An open mind will allow you to explore opportunities you may have never known existed.