As we reflect on our veterans' service, we are reminded of their sacrifice, resilience, and dedication to all aspects of life—including healthcare. According to the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, veterans comprise about 6% of Minnesota’s population. At the same time, highly skilled and experienced combat medics are completing their military service and thinking about a potential future as physicians. The University of Minnesota Medical School established the Military Medic to Medical School (MM2MS) program to encourage and support these unique students. This innovative and groundbreaking pathway creates tailored opportunities for veterans to transition into medical careers.

 

The initiative, first announced on Veterans Day 2023, provides combat medics with a tailored path to medical school by valuing their frontline experience in service to patient care. Historically, medical school admissions committees have struggled to translate a medic’s field experience into meaningful academic criteria, creating an unfair barrier for medic applicants. Students in this first-in-the-nation program undergo any necessary prerequisite coursework and receive support as they prepare for the MCAT. The program also provides coaching for military medics and assures admission into Medical School.

 

The program's funding also has a direct military connection. It came from the family of William Lewis Anderson, a World War II veteran killed in action who wanted to go to medical school. His younger brother, a 1952 U of M Medical School graduate, wanted to support future educational opportunities for veteran medics. 

 

The MM2MS program, led and designed by Associate Dean and Colonel Greg Beilman, MD, represents a pioneering approach to medical education. The U of M Medical School made history this fall, welcoming its inaugural class of three students.

 

"This program represents a significant shift in recognizing the value of military experience in higher education," said Dr. Beilman. "It offers a pathway for qualified service members to transition into medicine, honoring their service while addressing the critical need for skilled healthcare providers."

 

Two of the first Military Medic to Medical School students, Sarah Loudon and Taylor Ritchot, were interviewed by WCCO-TV to share their experiences.

"We are paving the way for other people. That's the exciting thing," Loudon said.

"It was really exciting. I personally never thought I would have a chance to go to medical school," said Ritchot.

"I am proud to work alongside our leadership team and students to shape a better future for healthcare in Minnesota, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of veterans," said Jill Foster, MD, Assistant Dean of Pipelines and Pathways Programs of the Medical School Education Administration Office. 

To learn more about the Military Medic to Medical School Program, contact the University of Minnesota at [email protected] or Chris vanBrenk, the MM2MS Director of Education and Training ([email protected]).

Sarah E. Loudon, MSgt, United States Air Force

Military Background:

  • Enlisted in the Air Force Reserve in 2013 at Joint Base Andrews, Washington, DC.
  • Trained as a flight medic for the Aeromedical Evacuation mission, providing care to ill and injured service members during their journeys home from global deployments.

Medical Aspirations: 

  • Inspired by the work of Doctors Without Borders to pursue a career in medicine, with a focus on serving remote and underserved populations. 
  • Leveraging patient care experience from military service through the Medic to Med School program to achieve her goal of becoming a physician, despite an unconventional path interrupted by training detours and deployments.

Goals and Philosophy:

  • Aims to give back to Minnesota by serving communities in need as a physician.
  • Ultimately hopes to contribute to global humanitarian efforts, continuing to bring critical medical care to underserved populations.
Sergeant Taylor Ritchot, United States Army

Current Role: 

  • Senior Line Medic, Charlie Company 2-135 Infantry, Minnesota Army National Guard

Experience: 

  • Six years as a Combat Medic; deployments to Kuwait, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia; provided care to Afghan refugees during the 2021 Afghanistan withdrawal

Passion for Medicine: 

  • Inspired by a lifelong interest in emergency medicine, with confidence to pursue a career as a physician solidified during the 2021 deployment

Goal: 

  • To provide compassionate care, instilling hope and comfort in patients on their most challenging days, while inspiring fellow medics to pursue their medical aspirations

Unique Perspective: 

  • Experience as an EMR, EMT, combat medic, and nurse, providing a multifaceted approach to patient care

Next Chapter: 

  • Excited to attend the University of Minnesota Medical School through the M2MD program, paving the way for other medics transitioning to medicine.
Isaac Schneider, SFC, United States Army

Military Background:

  • Enlisted in the Montana National Guard as an Infantryman (MOS 11B) in 2006.
  • Deployed to Iraq (2010-2011) as a gun truck commander, protecting resupply convoys.
  • Selected for Special Forces Assessment and graduated from the Q Course in 2016, earning the Green Beret.
  • Served as a Special Forces Medic (MOS 18D) with the 3rd Special Forces Group from 2016 to 2022, including two combat deployments and three training missions.

Medical Aspirations:

  • Inspired by civilian hospital residencies during Special Forces Medic training to pursue a medical career.
  • Currently with the Joint Special Operations Training Course (JSOMTC), where he learned about the Military Medic to Medical School (MM2MS) program.

Goals and Philosophy:

  • Aspires to continue his service-oriented mindset in medicine, guided by the principle: "You don’t have to make the world perfect; just don’t make it worse on purpose."
  • Excited to leverage the MM2MS program to attend a top medical school while being closer to family.