Where are they now: Brent Bussinger

2012 Kimball High School graduate Brent Bussinger has a lot to talk about since leaving Kimball just four years ago but he really doesn't have a lot of time to chit chat.

"Medical school is already crazy, as they have a mountain of information piled onto us," Bussinger said. "We were always told that medical school is like drinking out of an open fire hydrant and I can honestly say that the analogy is not far off."

Bussinger attended Chadron State College following high school graduation, as did his now wife Samantha (Long) Bussinger.

"Sam and I both attended high school at Kimball, but we didn't start dating until she was a senior and I was a junior," Bussinger said. "Basically from there, we both managed to end up attending CSC. We were engaged in summer before my sophomore year, and married a year later in July of 2014."

Bussinger graduated cum laude from CSC in May with 3.725 grade point average, but that is not all he accomplished in Chadron.

He was the secretary of the Health Professions Club and the couple was very involved in their church, and even went on a mission trip to San Diego.

Just months after graduating from CSC, on Aug. 19, 2016, Bussinger was presented with his white coat in the White Coat Ceremony at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

This ceremony is a rite of passage into the medical profession for students beginning their careers. Bussinger was one of 132 students accepted into the UNMC program of 1973 applicants and he plans to pursue an MD degree in Family Medicine.

"I decided to pursue a career in the medical profession for a variety of reasons. The medical field had always greatly interested me as a child and my parents supported that interest," Bussinger said. "As I was getting ready to graduate high school, I was searching for colleges that would allow me to purse a career in medicine. I have a family friend that told me of the RHOP (Rural Health Opportunities Program), which provides a tremendous opportunity to pursue a career in medicine. After a little research, and some preparation, I was able to acquire a position in the RHOP program through Chadron State College."

Being accepted into the Rural Health Opportunities Program is a tremendous advantage for the few that are, according to Bussinger, as it guarantees acceptance into the UNMC once entry requirements are met.

Only rural Nebraska students with high GPAs, SAT/ACT scores are eligible. They must have letters of recommendation, complete an interview, and write a biography detailing their desire to be accepted into the program, as the program website states that this is the foundation of the interview and selection process.

"The application process at UNMC is pretty rigorous with two separate interviews plus MCAT scores that help the administrators determine which candidates will be the best fit for a spot as a student," Bussinger said. "That being said, all of the students that are here, belong here. Each student is more than capable of being very successful as a health care provider."

Bussinger plans to apply for UNMC's Family Medicine fast track in his third year that will allow him to begin residency early.

While Bussinger will spend much of his time preparing for his career, he prefers to spend his limited free time with his wife, Sam, remodeling their home in Omaha and occasionally spending time with their friends.

"We have been on a few TV show binges, 'Stranger Things' and 'Game of Thrones' specifically," he added.

"Family Medicine is one of the top programs at the College of Medicine and there are a variety of opportunities that allow a medical student to pursue a career in that field," Bussinger said. "I like the variation in patients that comes from Family Medicine which could prevent some of the monotony of performing the same task everyday. Plus, it allows me to see patients of every kind."

The RHOP program requires successful applicants to remain in rural areas for a certain amount of time, and that fits into Bussinger's plans anyway.

"I want to practice in a smaller community, though I will go wherever the job takes me," he said. "Right now it is just taking it one step at a time."