After beating disease, student eyes doing it professionally

Gabe Fisher is no stranger to UNMC.

But last week, he got to see it from a new perspective.

Formerly a patient of Bruce Gordon, M.D., and Don Coulter, M.D., Gabe spent a lot of time at UNMC battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Last week, he returned as a high school senior, eager to explore the possibility of a health care profession — a career like the ones of Dr. Gordon, Dr. Coulter and others who helped Gabe beat back his disease.

Gabe was one of 318 students from 37 high schools who took part in UNMC’s Health Career Day.

Gabe Fisher with members of his UNMC health care team.

It was the first time the Office of Recruitment and Student Engagement and the Rural Health Education Network had partnered for the event, said Channing Bunch, director of recruitment and student engagement.

“We were extremely pleased with the participation and excitement the students showed toward exploring the education options at UNMC,” he said. “We look forward to building a stronger connection with all Nebraska high schools.”

Doris Martin of the Beatrice Career Academy brought six students. It was her first time at the event.

“I hope they get a sense of what it takes to become a medical professional, what they need to be doing now in high school to prepare,” she said.

Diane Fisher, Gabe’s mother, also attended. A counselor at Dorchester High School, she brought two students — “20 percent of my senior class,” she said with a laugh — to explore medical careers.

It was her second year at the event, which she finds very valuable for students.

“There are a lot of different things they can look at,” she said. “For example, Gabe wants to be a doctor, but he also likes research. This event really offers some outside-the-box opportunities. The speakers have been great. I like that they bring in different kinds of speakers every year.”

Morning topics included pipeline programs, public health, scholarships and other opportunities. In the afternoon, the students scattered to breakout sessions that included cytotechnology, nursing, clinical perfusion, medicine and other topics.

Bunch expressed appreciation for the support the event received.

“We want to thank all the UNMC program faculty and staff that made the event such a success by providing speakers and volunteering their time,” he said.

As for Gabe, he said he learned a lot. His focus?

“Medicine for sure,” he said. “Research would be fun, too.”