U of M Launches Program to Turn Combat Medics into Doctors

While riding at the rear of a tactical vehicle en route to a training session for the U.S. Army’s Special Forces, Sgt. Isaac Schneider mentioned to a comrade that he was contemplating becoming a physician’s assistant after his time in the military came to an end.

If you're going to go for it, aim high," his friend replied. "Why settle for less than becoming a doctor?

Schneider realized early on that he desired a career in medicine after serving several years as a medical sergeant with the Montana National Guard starting in 2006, which included a deployment to Iraq. However, his ambition to become a full-fledged physician seemed quite ambitious at the time.

Nevertheless, Schneider took the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and applied to various medical schools prior to discovering a new initiative at the University of Minnesota aimed at assisting veterans with combat medical backgrounds ease their transition into medical education. He secured admission and is now well on his way to achieving his dream of becoming a physician.

From Military medic to medical school , also referred to as MM2MS, originated just like most great ideas do: during a casual conversation over drinks at a hotel bar, recounted the program’s director Chris vanBrenk with a laugh.

VanBrenk, who previously served as an Army Special Forces officer and worked as a project manager for the Global Surgical and Medical Support Group (GSMSG), found himself based in Ukraine at the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict where he crossed paths with Dr. Greg Beilman.

Surgeons from the American College of Surgeons collaborated with GSMSG to travel to Ukraine for teaching and assisting in surgical procedures. Dr. Beilman was among these medical professionals.

"I was conversing with Greg, and we were all engaged in conversation when I mentioned, 'Wouldn't it be great if there was a specific method to assist veteran medics in getting into medical school?'" vanBrenk stated.

VanBrenk did not pay much attention to their discussion until approximately one year afterward when he got a telephone call from Beilman requesting him to oversee the program.

The MM2MS program formally commenced the autumn term in 2024. This initiative spans an entire academic year and serves as a mentorship platform designed to support and prepare combat medics for their journey into medical school.

Each participant in the MM2MS program is assured a position at the university's Medical School. As many as five med school spots are set aside for this initiative.

For the 2024-25 academic year, the program accepted three candidates, one of whom was Schneider.

Sarah Loudon, an additional participant in the MM2MS program, previously served as a solar energy engineer prior to enlisting in the military to work as a combat medic. Like her father, who was a pilot during World War II, and her grandfather, who flew planes in Vietnam, Sarah continued this family tradition but chose a different path within service.

Loudon spent 12 years with the local Air Force Reserve unit, where he was responsible for transporting injured service personnel across extensive distances and on global flights to access better medical treatment.

It was an honor to walk in those footsteps, even just partially," Loudon stated. "This opportunity allowed me to serve my country and also gain practical experience and service within the medical sector.

She was already enrolled in the necessary preparatory classes at the university to pursue becoming a physician's assistant when she discovered MM2MS.

“I harbored the ambition of attending medical school, yet I was genuinely worried about my inconsistent academic history and how it might make the whole process an incredibly challenging endeavor,” Loudon stated.

I believed that the PA track would remain an excellent opportunity. However, after seeing [MM2MS]," Loudon stated, "I thought 'It would be silly of me not to give it a shot.'

After witnessing a drowning during her teenage years, Taylor Ritchot decided to pursue her dream of becoming a physician.

"At that instant, I experienced profound guilt for not being able to assist this individual who desperately needed help," Ritchot stated.

At the age of 16, she took up the role of a lifeguard, followed by becoming an emergency medical responder when she was 17. In 2018, she enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard where she served as a combat medic. Currently, she balances her job as an emergency room nurse at M Health Fairview with preparing for her MCAT and completing the necessary prerequisites for medical school.

I've always aspired to become a doctor," Ritchot stated. "But when I enlisted in the military, my hopes for realizing this dream started fading away, which also eroded much of my self-assurance.

Ritchot mentioned that this shift occurred when she was sent to Kuwait in 2021 to help with the U.S. military’s exit from Afghanistan. Facing restricted supplies and a linguistic divide, she provided care for patients of various age groups dealing with diverse health issues.

Ritchot mentioned, "That experience significantly boosted my self-assurance." He continued, "Therefore, when I was able to apply for medical school and for this particular program, it seemed almost too amazing to be real."

Ritchot will begin his medical studies in 2026. Loudon and Schneider will commence their program in August.

VanBrenk stated that these three individuals exemplify the aim of the program—to enable veterans with medical backgrounds to advance their careers, which ultimately benefits all involved.

"When I lie down at night and ponder, what kind of future doctor would I desire? Those are precisely the qualities I seek. I envision doctors such as Isaac, Sarah, and Taylor," stated vanBrenk.

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