Staff Sergeant Nick Culbertson

Nick learned a life lesson from his father that impacted him more strongly than he ever anticipated. Before entering the military, Nick talked to his father about his desire to become a doctor. His father told him he needed a blueprint to follow, because life is full of surprises. In his freshman year at Johns Hopkins, he came to know what his father meant. Nick was hospitalized with a concussion when he learned his father had unexpectedly passed away. Nick was left grief-stricken and afraid. He no longer had his father for counsel and support. And, he was not sure how he could continue to pay for college. But, his father’s advice provided direction for him.

Nick left school and joined the Army to gain experience as a medic and to earn enough money to eventually return to school and fulfill his dream. He became an Army Special Forces medic and was inspired by many people with whom he came in contact. He says one particular Afghan medic taught him that compassion towards others is not something that is learned, but rather a choice. “It was Sergeant Khan who taught me why I wanted to be a doctor,” says Nick.

He is now back at Johns Hopkins pursuing his MD and plans to study the biological processes involved in wound recovery and tissue regeneration. He wants to draw from both his military and civilian experiences to further study medicine in order to help soldiers and civilians alike recover quickly and fully from their injuries.