Nathan Richardson ’24
Major: Health Sciences
Danville, Indiana
Why were you interested in studying Health Sciences at Butler?
Coming out of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue something in healthcare, but I wasn’t 100% sure which specific career I wanted to go into. When I was exploring my options, I thought it was awesome that the Health Sciences program at Butler can prepare you for any healthcare career. I had a specific interest in either PA school or medical school and had heard great things about how the Health Sciences program prepared students to enter both fields. I also loved Butler’s location and proximity to so many cool areas of Indianapolis!
How did Butler prepare you for life after graduation?
I started medical school at the IU School of Medicine this fall, and I feel that the education I received through the Health Sciences program prepared me extremely well for my graduate studies. Many of the Health Sciences classes gave me a strong understanding of the basic science underlying medicine. However, I think the Health Sciences program sets its graduates apart by facilitating the exploration of the less scientific concepts relating to healthcare, such as healthcare communication and public health. The perspective I’ve gained on these issues through many of my classes has been extremely beneficial in my medical education so far.
One of my favorite experiences during undergrad was assisting in a research project relating to healthcare communication with Dr. Scott. Helping with this project showed me firsthand the impact that communication can have on patients’ well-being. I believe that the consideration of these concepts during my undergraduate studies will eventually contribute to making me a more thoughtful and compassionate provider!
Which professor or faculty member influenced you the most while you were a student?
It’s so hard to pick one—I loved all of the faculty members! Dr. Drake and Dr. Williams are two professors who were very influential during my time at Butler. In addition to being one of my professors, Dr. Drake was my academic advisor. Throughout my four years at Butler, she informed me which classes to take, helped me decide which career path I should pursue, opened doors for experiential learning, and helped me understand Anatomy and Physiology. She was also always cheering me on and was an incredibly encouraging person to talk to. Dr. Williams was another influential professor. His willingness to always discuss life outside course material and his insight into pursuing a healthcare career has stuck with me. Additionally, his Kinesiology class showed me that I am curious about the science of human movement, which has impacted the fields of medicine I am now interested in pursuing.
What types of internships or experiential learning opportunities did you have as a student?
The Health Sciences program provided me with the opportunity to take an EMT certification class in the spring semester of my first year. In addition to getting my certification, the course also gave me credit hours toward the completion of my degree. For two summers in college, I worked as an EMT, and it played a huge role in my decision to pursue a career in medicine. I also worked part-time as a Medical Assistant in a dermatology office for a semester. The different BSHS class times allowed me to design a schedule where I could comfortably work two days a week and still take classes. The BSHS program encourages students to pursue clinical experiences, which I think are vital in helping to discern the career path you want to pursue.
What was your favorite part of being a student in Health Sciences?
The people! I loved getting to know the faculty members and professors, and my classmates in the program are still some of my closest friends. Many of those friendships originated from collaborating on group projects or from randomly sitting next to each other in class. The Health Sciences program began to feel like a community very quickly, which I attribute to the small class sizes and collaborative environment facilitated within the classroom setting.
What advice would you give to a student interested in Health Sciences?
I would tell them to come in with an open mind and try to get exposed to as much as possible. Even if you think you won’t be interested in a particular subject or career field, the Health Sciences program will allow you to take classes and electives that explore different areas of healthcare. You might find out you love something you’ve never heard of before. Experiential learning is also something that students should try to pursue. There are so many options within the Health Sciences major to explore internships and clinical opportunities, so I recommend taking advantage of them!