For 2023 Newman biology graduate Kamren Hall, his path to becoming a physician has been a winding one.
As a middle schooler, Hall became the primary caregiver of his grandfather, who suffered from dementia.
“My parents and I decided on homeschooling to allow me the flexibility to spend time with my grandfather and help care for him,” Hall explained.
At the time, Hall woke up early and completed his homework. His mom then dropped him off at his grandparents’ house so he could care for his grandfather while his grandmother worked.
“Initially, I was just there to keep an eye on him — simple things like making sure the stove wasn’t left on — but it quickly developed into a role where he needed help with almost all aspects of daily living,” Hall said.
Helping my grandfather taught me about responsibility and the importance of care at our most vulnerable moments.
Kamren Hall ’23
Months of assisting his grandfather turned into years, and Hall learned some valuable life lessons. As Hall witnessed the compassion and dedication of his grandfather’s medical team each day, his interest in the medical field grew. He knew he wanted to pursue a medical career.
Hall’s grandfather’s condition worsened, and the family worked with hospice and various nurses during the last year of his life. He passed away in 2015 as Hall was finishing eighth grade.
“He was not only my responsibility but also my best friend,” Hall said. “Helping my grandfather taught me about responsibility and the importance of care at our most vulnerable moments.”
College pathway provides a future
When it came time for college, Hall picked Newman University for its small class size and opportunity to interact closely with professors.
“Simply put, I wanted to be more than just a number; I wanted to be a valued member of a collaborative learning environment,” he said.
Hall was fortunate to receive scholarships during his time at Newman, which made it possible to attend Newman and motivated him to continue working hard along the way. He was also a student-athlete on the Newman triathlon team, where he formed lifelong friendships.
Today, Hall is a student at the Kansas College of Osteopathic Medicine in Wichita. His biggest goal for medical school and beyond is to “find health in my patients.”
“Right now, there are still many uncertainties about where I might end up, particularly since I have not yet decided which residency program to pursue,” he said. “This decision will shape the type of physician I become. My current goal is simple: to practice as a physician here in Kansas and find health in my patients.”
Hall believes Newman’s programs provide a strong foundation for nursing and pre-medical careers.
“Having attended a semester of nursing school before completing a biology degree with a pre-med concentration, I can confidently say that if you apply yourself in class, you don’t need to worry about your success after graduation,” Hall said.
Hall thanks all the faculty and staff who dedicate so much time to students’ education.
“A special shoutout to Dr. Jenna Persons and Dr. Tomoko Bell, who felt like mentors during my time at Newman,” Hall said. “They always made time to sit with me, work through any challenges I faced and even listen to new ideas.”
I can confidently say that if you apply yourself in class, you don’t need to worry about your success after graduation.
Kamren Hall ’23
A multifaceted future physician
Growing up, Hall dreaded writing as his dyslexia made it particularly challenging.
“Learning to read and write was different for me; I had to use less conventional methods to grasp it,” he said. “However, this challenge motivated me to improve my skills. Now, I find it much easier to put my thoughts into words, which has become a more freeing experience and allows me to reflect on things from a new perspective.”
Before and during his time as a Newman student, Hall wrote a mystery, adventure and action novel. He eventually published his work, “The Cipher’s Gambit.”
“The book revolves around a cryptic message embedded in an ancient code with immense power,” Hall explained. “It combines elements of old-school cryptography with a new, mysterious force that has the potential to rewrite history. While imaginative, my hope for the book was to shed light on the potential impact of AI on society and the changes it could bring to our norms.”
Although the book was published, Hall recently took it down to revise certain sections and enhance it to align with his original vision. His writing is on pause for now, but he hopes to write more after he completes his medical studies.
Hall believes it’s important for every individual to find fulfillment in what he or she does.
“The best way to know if something is right for you is to simply try it,” he said. “If you’re not interested in what you’re doing, it’s easy to experience burnout. For me, school alone isn’t enough; I need other hobbies, like tutoring, coaching or working. However, not everyone is like that, so I think a bit of trial and error is necessary — as long as you recognize when something isn’t right for you or isn’t the best use of your time.”
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