Alumni Insights

Pre-Medicine

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PCC’s medical programs provide the foundation students need to successfully enter medical school and become health care professionals. PCC grads have been accepted into over 70 medical schools (including 5 of the top 10 primary care medical schools as ranked by U.S. News & World Report) and are serving God in a wide variety of medical fields.

Wes Zahler, DO, MBA (’02 grad)

  • Lieutenant, Medical Corps (Flight Surgeon), U.S. Navy, Naval Air Station, North Island
  • Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Leadership: Rockhurst University
  • Doctor of Osteopathy: Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences

“I’m the aerospace medical officer (flight surgeon) for HSC-3, a helicopter squadron. As a Navy physician, I have the opportunity to take care of the men and women who make it their goal to keep my family and me safe. I enjoy being able to give back to them.”

“The program at PCC was a good framework. My favorite class was microbiology, and that was probably the one that was most useful to me in medical school.”

Brannon Mangus, MD, MPH (’04 grad)

  • Otolaryngology, Head, and Neck resident surgeon, Vanderbilt University
  • Doctor of Medicine: University of Louisville School of Medicine
  • Member of Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society

Awards
Physician Scientist Award (’08) from Alpha Omega Alpha

“The small size of the classes at PCC allowed me to interact with my professors. This enabled me to get answers to questions that arose during my studies or during class. Dr. Carlos Alvarez was truly a mentor to me in college. He motivated me to work harder and study more. He helped navigate me through all the necessary steps to get into medical school. He also modeled how to live the Christian life. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for his mentorship.”

Evangelyn Spencer

Evangelyn Spencer (’07 grad)

  • Dental Student (1st year), University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey
  • Master’s in Human Nutrition: Columbia University
  • Certified Dental Assistant/Expanded Functions Dental Assistant: The Technical Institute of Camden County

Awards
Most Outstanding Student award (’10) from dental assistant school

“I enjoy the opportunity to interact with people of all different backgrounds and ages. Also, dentistry and nutrition are both excellent ministry opportunities that can be used on the mission field.

“PCC’s premed program gave me a solid base in the basic sciences, enabling me to later expand my horizons as I went on to graduate school at Columbia University, studying clinical nutrition, nutritional epidemiology, and public health. PCC’s program also provided me a good foundation for nearly all the prerequisites for dental school.”

Amana Spencer

Amana Spencer (’09 grad)

  • Medical Student at Ross University School of Medicine
  • Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies

“PCC’s pre-med program was great simply because they really do include all the classes you need to succeed in med school. A lot of my classmates in med school have never had classes such as genetics, microbiology, or biochemistry lab (all of which I took at PCC) and so I actually have a better academic background than many of them.”

James Atkinson Premed

James Atkinson, (’04 grad)

  • Master’s in Biomedical Sciences: Midwestern University
  • Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine medical student (2nd year), Arizona College of Osteopathic Medicine Midwestern University

“After graduating from PCC, I worked as a phlebotomist for three years before studying biomedical sciences at Midwestern University. This included a year of research examining blood flow in pregnant rats during exercise. Some of the results and data from this research was presented at The American Physiological Society’s 2010 Experimental Biology meeting, and an abstract of the presented research was published in the Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

“I believe PCC’s premed program prepared me extremely well to handle the challenges of medical school. In comparison, my Master’s degree program and medical school so far have seemed easier than PCC, not harder.

“I would like to let students considering PCC’s premed program know that there are few places where they will receive the quality spiritual and scientific education PCC offers. To be able to learn about biology and the human body as God’s creation is something I took for granted until graduate school and medical school, where seemingly all the faculty are atheistic evolutionists. With only a handful of like-faith Christians in my class, it is easy for me to see the need for more Christians in medicine—especially those who have received a strong foundation from a school like PCC.”

Ben Williams

Ben Williams, MD (’00 grad)

  • Captain, United States Air Force
  • St. Louis University family medicine resident (3rd year)
  • Doctor of Medicine: Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine

“I am currently an Active Duty Air Force physician, and my daily responsibilities include a patient enrollment of at least 250 people, caring for them in an in-patient setting and being on call for obstetrics patients who are ready to deliver. After being commissioned into the United States Air Force and graduating from medical school, I performed as a flight surgeon at McConnell AFB in Kansas. Throughout the many years since PCC, God has led my family and me to many places and has allowed us to share His love.

“PCC gave me an excellent education in order to build the foundation for medical knowledge. PCC also helped solidify my faith and relationship with God. The world outside of PCC is so different, and some can have their faith shaken by the ‘wisdom’ of the world. Many times, [medical school] professors would stray from the medical education and try to teach evolution or degrade those who believe in God. I appreciate the foundation that was laid while at PCC. My relationship with God was able to grow during a very important time of my life.”

Andrew Prussia

Andrew Prussia, Ph.D. (’03 grad)

  • Post Doctoral Researcher at the Emory Institute for Drug Discovery
  • Author of several publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals
  • Ph.D. in Chemistry, specializing in bioinformatics and computational chemistry: Emory University (Laney graduate School)

“My work is an interdisciplinary field that tries to understand the structural biology behind how proteins work and how their functions can be modulated by drugs. I’m working on projects related to anticancer agents and antivirals for myxoviruses (influenza, measles virus, and respiratory syncytial virus).

The science and math courses at PCC gave me the foundation I needed to take more specialized classes on organic chemistry, pharmacology, and biochemistry. I feel that I was well prepared for the rigors of graduate-level work.

A simple thing like PCC’s teachers always praying before every class is such a foreign concept when you go to a secular university: asking God’s blessing on the class, praying for the students’ understanding, and desiring that what was done would glorify God. I probably took it for granted when I was at PCC, but I certainly don’t now.”

David Hurst

David Hurst, MD (’98 grad)

  • Pediatrician, Rivertown Pediatrics
  • Formerly Chief of Pediatrics, Martin Army Hospital, Fort Benning (GA)
  • Doctor of Medicine: Tulane University School of Medicine

Awards

  • Inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha (medical honor society)
  • Bronze Star during deployment with the 101st Airborne Division (’06)

“PCC has the appropriate rigorous premed program to prepare each graduate for what lies ahead. The basic science curriculum is essential as a basis to get started in anatomy, physiology, and histology as a medical student. My college years were, in many ways, more personally demanding than was medical school. The unique ability to juggle studies, spiritual, and social life with the right priorities in place is of great benefit. You can only be prepared by actual experience in these day-to-day demands of life, and I believe my college experience provided that.”

James Atkinson Premed

Kyle Hamblen, DPM (’05 grad)

  • Lourdes Hospital podiatric resident (1st year)
  • Doctor of Podiatric Medicine: Dr. William M. Scholl School of Podiatric Medicine

“As a foot and ankle surgeon, my daily responsibilities vary from seeing patients in the office to participating in surgery. My favorite part about working in the medical field is watching patients progress through treatment, and the satisfaction that comes from seeing them healed.

“PCC gave me the knowledge I needed to do well on the MCAT and get into medical school, but more importantly it provided the discipline and structure I would need to succeed in medical school. I also appreciate the godly friendships I developed. My friends from PCC are my closest friends and have helped me get to where I am today.”

FadekeOyeniya

Fadeke Oyeniya, MD (’05 grad)

  • Temple University obstetrics and gynecology resident
  • Doctor of Medicine: Meharry Medical College

“PCC’s Pre-med program gave me a solid foundation in the basic sciences, and the structured curriculum allowed for a good grasp of concepts. Most importantly, the courses were very challenging, which allowed me to build great self-disciplined study habits that became very helpful in medical school.”

“I also got to make many lasting friends at PCC, and I have been truly blessed to still be in touch with most of them.”

Timothy Ruby (’01 Pre-medicine grad)

  • General Dentist (Winchester, VA)
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery: University of Detroit-Mercy School of Dentistry
  • Certified Invisalign provider

“I love the dental field because of its variety. My daily responsibilities range from doing routine exams, restoring areas of tooth decay, performing root canal therapy, extracting teeth, restoring broken teeth and replacing missing teeth. Every patient is unique, so their treatment needs to fit their specific needs. One of my favorite aspects of dentistry is the constant need to better myself and improve my dental skills so that my patients can be offered the best treatment.

“The premed program at PCC required a high level of discipline in order to succeed. This discipline prepared me for success in dental school and currently as a dentist. I am thankful for the caring faculty in the premed program whose goal was to enable their students to take the next step as medical professionals.”

Deborah Repaskey Premed

Deborah Repaskey, MD (’04 grad)

  • Tampa General Hospital emergency medicine resident (2nd year)
  • Doctor of Medicine: University of Nebraska College of Medicine

“I received interview invitations to six different medical schools; I say this only to boast of my education at PCC and of God’s provision. PCC prepared me for medical school by teaching me effective time management and laying the groundwork of scientific knowledge upon which medical school was built. Also, most importantly, PCC provided an environment in which I was able to grow spiritually, strengthen my relationship with God, and establish my own convictions and beliefs. It was very important that I had a solid spiritual foundation at PCC so I could filter the information I was given in medical school and decipher what aligned with the Bible.”

Danvid and Emma Hall

Dave and Emma Hall, MDs (’03 grads)

  • Doctors of Medicine: University of Toledo College of Medicine
  • Residencies at Penn State University Hershey Medical Center

Awards/Honors

  • Class President during final year of medical school (Dave)
  • Chief Academic Resident during final year of residency (Emma)
  • Penn State University Humanism Award during residency, given to only one of hundreds of residents per year (Emma)

Dave is completing his urology residency at Penn State University Hershey Medical Center, where he cares for patients, performs/learns various urologic surgeries, and works on research projects and academic journal articles relating to urology.

Emma is working at a private family medical practice, and is working on her Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.

Dave said: “PCC set a solid foundation for us to start our medical journey. From an academic standpoint, the excellence present in PCC’s science department was phenomenal. The transition to medical school was actually quite easy, which was in contrast to many of our medical school friends from various secular universities, who had difficulty adjusting to a rigorous medical school program. The expectations, instruction, and experience during PCC’s premed program laid a foundation that is still enabling us to achieve excellence in our medical careers. In addition, the training in areas of professionalism, manners, and morals has set us apart from our peers throughout medical school, residency, and our continued practice of medicine.

“PCC trains individuals to accept nothing less than their very best. This is a principle my wife and I have maintained throughout our training, and has enabled us to excel in all aspects of life.

“It is quite unique being married to another doctor. Our lives can be hectic, but it’s been a blessing going through this together. One amazing thing God has done has been to match us into the exact locations for all of our training over the years. As for the future, we’ll likely do medical missions in some capacity.”

David Karimeddini

David Karimeddini, MD (’02 grad)

  • Hartford Hospital radiology resident (3rd year)
  • Doctor of Medicine: Temple University School of Medicine

“I felt very at ease in medical school due to the rigorous class work at PCC. The individual attention I received at PCC set the foundation for success in graduate school.”

“My advice for Pre-Med students: The spiritual guidance and training at PCC should not be taken for granted. Take advantage of Bible classes, chapel messages, and prayer groups. One’s spiritual foundation must be strong when attending medical school, throughout the hectic schedule of residency training, and when starting your ultimate career.”

RobBlair

Rob Blair, O.D. (’99 grad)
Doctor of Optometry: Southern College of Optometry

“As a self-employed optometrist, I specialize in family practice and ocular disease eye care. My day includes everything from a 3 year old being put into glasses for the first time to a 95 year old with macular degeneration and glaucoma.”

“The PCC classes provided the necessary backbone needed for easy transition into more advanced optometry school classes.”

Brian J. Gavitt

Brian J. Gavitt, MD, MPH (’99 grad)

  • Resident Physician, Department of Surgery, University of California-Davis Medical Center
  • Master’s degree in Public Health: George Washington University
  • Doctor of Medicine: Michigan State University

Awards

  • Academic scholarship award
  • Dean’s list graduate (Summa cum laude in master’s degree program)
  • Elected to Alpha Omega Alpha (national honor society for medicine)
  • Elected intern of the year

“The academics in PCC’s pre-medicine program were superb. The faculty’s years of accumulated wisdom were priceless during the medical school application process. They offered a wealth of knowledge that prepared us for the medical college admissions test (MCAT).

After graduating from PCC, I attended graduate school at the George Washington University in Washington, DC. I completed my master’s degree in public health (MPH) and subsequently worked in the U.S. Senate as a health and social policy advisor to a U.S. Senator.

A couple of years later, I applied and was accepted to medical school at Michigan State University. I was blessed to match into my first choice of surgical residency programs—at the University of California at Davis. I am currently completing my training in general surgery and plan to subspecialize in trauma and critical care surgery. I will be practicing in the U.S. Air Force once my training is completed.”

Nehemiah Spencer, MD (’00 grad)

  • Doctor of Medicine: Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons
  • Specialized study in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus
  • Residency at Nassau University Medical Center
  • Fellowship training at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami School of Medicine

“PCC’s premed program helped me learn the sciences basic to the practice of medicine. Along with a good work ethic, PCC helped provide me with a structured Christian mindset to interface appropriately with the world around me.”

Brett Dempsey, MD (’02 grad)

  • Mayo Clinic general surgery resident (4th year)
  • Doctor of Medicine: University of Illinois College of Medicine

Awards
Inducted into Alpha Omega Alpha (medical honor society)

“The discipline I learned at PCC helped me to succeed in medical school. Dr. Carlos Alvarez was a tremendous teacher, and he encouraged me to become the first PCC graduate to finish the Pre-med program a year early and go directly into medical school. My wife and I plan to go into full-time medical missions when I am done with my training.”

Majors in Pre-Medicine, Biology, Chemistry, Pre-Pharmacy, Pre-Physical Therapy, and Nursing prepare students for graduate school and medical careers. For more information call (850) 478-8496, Ext. 8789.