'I haven’t stopped smiling all week': UND welcomes M.D. Class of 2030, distributes white coats and stethoscopes
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences M.D. Class of 2030 is on the ground in Grand Forks and ready to learn.
“I haven’t stopped smiling all week,” admitted Horace, N.D., native Kole Menz of his orientation week at North Dakota’s only interprofessional school of medicine and health sciences. “It feels surreal to finally be in the position that I’ve worked my entire life to get to.”
Menz is among the nearly 80 new medical students who began the first of a four-year medical education program at UND this month. And he still can’t believe he’s right here, right now.
“Every morning, I will be able to wake up knowing that I have the opportunity to change someone’s life for the better,” Menz said. “I have always had a passion for family medicine, especially within North Dakota. Growing up here, I’ve built such strong bonds within my community and would be honored to be able to serve others here in the future. I love the idea of being able to give back to the state and the people who have already given me so much.”
Ranging in age from 20 to 48 years, and with an average age of 24, this year’s cohort represents the first to begin medical school at UND since the School adopted its North Dakota 85 (ND85) initiative – the School’s effort to reach a class that consists of 85% North Dakota students by 2030.
This year’s entering medical students are made up of 82% North Dakotans.
Among those dozens of North Dakota students is Jessica Keller, a Bismarck native who has had to “pinch myself quite often” since beginning her medical education at UND.
“It’s been especially fun getting to know my classmates—there’s such a sense of camaraderie already,” said Keller. “I’m excited to walk this path with them and to see where each of us ends up as we move through each stage of our medical journey.”
Although keeping her options open, Keller admits to an interest in obstetrics/gynecology as a potential specialization.
“I discovered a strong interest in women’s health, particularly in improving education and awareness around it, when I founded a women’s health and wellness club at my undergraduate institution,” continued Keller.
That said, she hedged that neurology is also on her radar. “During my time working as a clinical researcher in a Parkinson’s disease lab, I developed a strong sense of belonging within the Parkinson’s community, and that patient population now holds a special place in my heart,” she said.
The M.D. Class of 2030 comes to UND’s medical school with experience in an array of fields, including biochemistry, biology, biomedical science, business administration, chemistry, chemical engineering, forensic science, electrical engineering, exercise science, kinesiology, medical laboratory science, neuroscience, nursing, nutrition, physiology, psychology, and respiratory therapy. Not to mention one student who majored in Spanish and Portuguese.
Some of these first-year students already hold advanced degrees, including graduate degrees in biomedical science, biomedical engineering, physiology, and public health.
Founded in 1905, the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences is North Dakota’s only medical college. It also represents the most comprehensive collection of health sciences programs in the state, graduating more than 300 physicians, physician assistants, physical and occupational therapists, medical lab scientists, athletic trainers, researchers, and public and Indigenous health professionals annually.
“The White Coat Ceremony is always meaningful for our medical students,” added Dr. Marjorie Jenkins, dean of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences and UND’s vice president for Health Affairs. “You can feel how excited everyone is to be here—including students’ families.”
Explaining how this year’s students represent UND’s fifty-second official M.D. class, Jenkins thanked White Coat Ceremony keynote speaker Dr. Jennifer Raum, who graduated with UND’s M.D. Class of 2001 nearly 25 years ago.
“It’s my hope that you love it here as much as I do, and that really quickly you'll feel like this place is home,” Raum, who grew up in both Buxton and Grand Forks, N.D., told the assembled students. “There is something incredibly powerful in being part of something deeply meaningful, and there is something incredibly powerful in feeling known.”
All of which, she said, North Dakota offers its healthcare providers.
“There is nothing better than having colleagues you trust in implicitly, colleagues who you know from high school, from college, from medical school,” Raum concluded, referencing her former classmates Drs. David Lien, Sarah Lien, Darin Lang, and Aaron Jost. “Some of you know these names because these are your own doctors, or they took care of your kids. They are incredible doctors, but most importantly, they are incredible people. I’m so excited for all of you, and I’m so optimistic about your futures. Congratulations and good luck.”
The UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences M.D. Class of 2030:
- Fathi Abdullahi, Fargo, N.D.
- Amy Aldinger, Mandan, N.D.
- Vicente Torres Alfaro, Chicureo, Chile
- David Amsbury, Minot, N.D.
- Julia Armbrust, Apple Valley, Minn.
- Anna Bernhardt, Fargo, N.D.
- Nora Berry, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Cami Birrenkott, West Fargo, N.D.
- Emma Blackdeer, Sparta, Wis.
- Andrew Blahy, Grande Pointe, Manitoba
- Rachel Brook, Bismarck, N.D.
- Andrea Buechler, Harvey, N.D.
- Trevor Burkhart, Brandon, S.D.
- Robert Buzakovic, Bismarck, N.D.
- Alice Carlson, Fargo, N.D.
- Zachary Cave, Bismarck, N.D.
- Albertine Cooper, Minn.
- McKenna Corbett, East Grand Forks, Minn.
- Cullen Curl, Bismarck, N.D.
- Breanna Edwards, West Fargo, N.D.
- Bjorn Eide, Fargo, N.D.
- Ethan Emineth, Bismarck, N.D.
- Morgan Finneseth, West Fargo, N.D.
- Samuel Garrity, Fargo, N.D.
- Jaxon Gronneberg, Cooperstown, N.D.
- Kaitlyn Gura, Mandan, N.D.
- McKenzie Haas, Napoleon, N.D.
- Owen Hall, Fargo, N.D.
- Hannah Hoedl Fargo, N.D.
- Benjamin Hu, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Payton Hulm, Wishek, N.D.
- Eric Ingstad, Valley City, N.D.
- Jessica Keller, Bismarck, N.D.
- Peyton Kessel, Fargo, N.D.
- Ava Kiemele, Bismarck, N.D.
- Jacob Kieser, Fargo, N.D.
- Corey Kleinsasser, Dickinson, N.D.
- Chase Kornacki, San Diego, Calif.
- Anna Lambertz, West Fargo, N.D.
- Zachary LeMay, Chippewa Falls, Wis.
- Trevor Levin, West Fargo, N.D.
- Austin Link, Bismarck, N.D.
- Natalie Link, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Chloe Ludwick, Goodrich, N.D.
- McKenzie Lynne, West Fargo, N.D.
- Mckenna Matt, Bismarck, N.D.
- Damian McCormick, Mandan, N.D.
- Molly McGrath, Minot, N.D.
- Kole Menz, Horace, N.D.
- Anjali Nayar, Fargo, N.D.
- Olivia Olson, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Shalom Onyeka, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Jonas Paulikas, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Isabelle Puhl, Fargo, N.D.
- Leo Rattler, Browning, Mont.
- Regan Rockswold, West Fargo, N.D.
- Brooke Rossow, Kindred, N.D.
- Alexander Samardzic, Bismarck, N.D.
- Alexis Sampson, Fargo, N.D.
- Sarah Sattar, Lakeville, Minn.
- Lucas Schweigert, Bismarck, N.D.
- Thomas Sikorski, West Fargo, N.D.
- Caiden Smidt, Pipestone, Minn.
- Eniola Soetan, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
- Elle Sondag, Fargo, N.D.
- Isaiah Soori, Fargo, N.D.
- Ryan Swartwout, Minot, N.D.
- Kayla Teigen, West Fargo, N.D.
- Gina Troftgruben, Buxton, N.D.
- Ryleigh Wacha Fargo, N.D.
- Hailyn Weigel, Bismarck, N.D.
- Torrey Westereng, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Lucas Wetzel, Bismarck, N.D.
- Josiah Williamson, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Luke Yokom, Fargo, N.D.
- Joshua Yon, Thompson, N.D.
- Ava Yurczyk, Bismarck, N.D.
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Brian James Schill
Director, Office of Communications & Engagement
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.6048 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@UND.edu | www.UND.edu