Class of 2020 Feature: Connor Appelman Serves Others through Medicine
Connor Appelman, a Maysville, Ky., native, knew from an early age that he wanted to attend medical school just 65 miles down U.S. 68 at the University of Kentucky. As he puts it, he has always bled blue.
鈥淚鈥檓 very proud of my home state, and I鈥檝e always wanted to take care of patients in Kentucky,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat was always the goal growing up, to graduate from the 海角禁区 College of Medicine. It鈥檚 gone by quickly, but it鈥檚 been amazing to live out the dream.鈥�
The desire to help others was a driving force for Connor. When he started medical school at 海角禁区, he quickly became involved with the , a free, student-run clinic established more than 30 years ago that provides medical students the opportunity to learn more about patient care through firsthand experience treating Lexington鈥檚 underserved populations. Working at the clinic opened Connor鈥檚 eyes to all that he could accomplish through a career in health care.
鈥淚t was so gratifying to fill such an important need,鈥� Connor said. 鈥淟earning from the volunteer physicians and residents donating their time to not only care for these patients, but also to teach us, was an inspiration.鈥�
Connor has used his passion for helping others to make an impact outside of the U.S. as well. Having already traveled to Peru, Guatemala, and India during his undergraduate years, he recently finished the global health track with the College of Medicine, which requires completion of electives, special events, service requirements, and rotating abroad. And in January, he stayed with a host family in Argentina, traveling with a foundation and representing 海角禁区 as he completed a rotation with a children鈥檚 hospital, all while taking Spanish classes and developing communication skills he can utilize when he practices medicine.
鈥淭he trip was everything I could have wanted from a month-long exchange program,鈥� he said.
After graduating Connor wants to continue serving others beyond the routine care he will provide as a physician. He knows the education and experience he gathered at the College of Medicine will help him reach his goals as he pursues his pediatrics residency at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. He said he appreciates everyone at 海角禁区, from the fellow students who became friends to the professors, clinicians, and student affairs officers whose strong support through the process helped him feel like part of the family.
鈥淚t goes by quickly. You鈥檙e working so hard, and you鈥檙e learning and doing so much all the time,鈥� Connor said. 鈥淪ometimes it鈥檚 hard to see the end game, when you鈥檙e in the middle of it. But looking back now, it鈥檚 important to stop and look around every once in a while.鈥�
No matter where his medical journey takes him, he wouldn鈥檛 be surprised if someday he ends up right back where he started, in Kentucky, helping the communities that supported him through his medical education. He鈥檒l always be part of the Big Blue Nation.
鈥淲e have a lot of health challenges, but also so many ways we can improve,鈥� he said, 鈥渁nd it would be an honor to be a part of that again.鈥�