A gathering with UND alumni in northern California at the home of Kevin and Sandy Fickenscher. (L to R) Kevin Fickenscher, M.D. ’78; Richard Gray, M.D. (B.S. Med. ’68); David Simundson, M.D. (B.S. Med ’68); Al Royse, J.D. ’76; David Borge, M.D. ’86; David Wilson, M.D.; Adrienne Borge; Saundra Fickenscher, M.A. (Speech Pathology and Audiology ’78); and Carolyn Gray.

The Road to Success is Not Always a Straight One

As I was driving through some of North Dakota’s inevitable summer road construction the other day, the street took a detour before bringing me to where I wanted to go.  It reminded me of the feature story in this issue “The Many Paths to Medicine,” about medical students who take an entirely different and nontraditional path to medical school.

The road of life is not a straight path, and despite our best-laid plans and preparations, sometimes it takes us on a different route, opening our eyes and touching our hearts along the way.  When Laurie Betting battled breast cancer in the midst of finishing her doctoral degree in physical therapy and planning for the new UND Student Wellness Center, she called the cancer nothing more than an inconvenience.  Her determination and positive attitude are simply amazing.  When Brian O’Neal left Texas for football and college in Idaho, he likely never imagined that someday he’d be in North Dakota studying physical therapy – but here he is, and are we ever proud!

I just recently returned from a trip to California where I caught up with some old friends and made some new ones.  It’s fun to hear about what their lives were like in medical school, as well as what people have been up to since.  The web of our alumni stretches across the country, and world, and what fascinating paths you’ve taken since your days here!  We invite you back to campus for Homecoming this October to share your stories with each other, and us, while checking out all of the new and exciting things on campus.

As the buzz of student activity picks up again this fall, I can’t help but pause and reflect on what an interesting and inspiring road the School of Medicine and Health Sciences is on.  Classes full of talented students, cutting-edge research, and nationally recognized outreach services further improve the school every day, and drive a powerful economic engine for North Dakota. 

Our accomplishments are not going unnoticed. The medical school received not only full accreditation but also high praises from the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME).  With our strong history of excellence, I’m looking forward to the paths that lay ahead.

As always, if you are in this area of the country (we hope you’ll return for Homecoming), consider taking the scenic route and stopping by the school—we’re always pleased to see you.

H. David Wilson, M.D.

Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean

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