My Life Lope: Missionary work inspired alumnus on path to medical school

EDITOR’S NOTE: My LopeLife is a column in which GCU students, staff and alumni share enriching experiences. To be eligible for My LopeLife, please email a brief summary of your suggested topic to (email protected) with “My LopeLife” in the subject line. This article originally appeared in the April issue of GCU Magazine. View the digital version here.

By Brian Durbin

The path to your future is never a straight line.

One of the most valuable lessons I learned while studying at Grand Canyon University: always be flexible when there are curves in the road.

As a child, I grew up in a family that worked in the medical field. My father, a physician, practiced internal medicine. My mother, a registered nurse, became a stay-at-home mom. Several of my aunts, uncles, and cousins ​​also pursued careers in the healthcare field.

So no one in my family would have been surprised if I followed the same path.

But after high school, I ended up attending a pastoral college in upstate New York called Word of Life Bible Institute. I wanted to pursue a career in professional ministry so I could share my faith and serve as a missionary overseas.

During my sophomore year, I attended a ministerial conference and heard about a physician whose journey led him to complete a two-year post-internship program at an underserved hospital in Nepal. I listened to this person’s stories, saw images of the hospital, and developed a singular goal: to be a part of it one day.

After a few conversations with important mentors in my life, I changed my college major from biblical studies to biology. Unfortunately, the pastoral school I attended did not offer a biology program.

That’s when the road started to turn and my journey at GCU began.

In the fall of 2020, I moved across the country to attend GCU as an honors pre-med student. COVID-19 protocols at the time limited many tutoring services and community events that would have otherwise been available. I struggled to adjust academically and socially to my new environment. I had left all of my close friends at Word of Life and felt isolated in my new city.

During my first year at GCU, I questioned the choice I had made many times. But during those moments of doubt, I remembered the goal I had set for myself when I decided to pursue this path.

Eventually, I made a few like-minded friends in the Honors College who were also pursuing pre-med.

While having lunch one weekend, they told me about an opportunity to go to Puerto Peñasco, Mexico, for a medical mission trip for bright students.

This was the opportunity I had been waiting for.

This was my first chance to put my goal into practice; I wasted no time in signing up.

In late April 2021, our team traveled to Mexico, where we supported the local medical community by making house calls and setting up free clinics in underserved neighborhoods.

The experience was transformative.

By observing local healthcare providers, I gained insight into how intangible qualities, such as compassion and empathy, are used in the clinical setting. In addition, I developed a deep appreciation for the importance of cultural humility in interactions with people of different ethnic backgrounds.

This trip confirmed to me that I had chosen the right path to pursue medical school and solidified my trajectory for the remainder of my undergraduate years. Since then, I have continued to pursue various opportunities to improve my understanding of the medical field.

In 2022, I led a team of students to Mexico for my second medical mission trip. It was just as powerful as the first. It allowed me to grow further as an individual who wants to serve underserved populations.

That same year, I became a Helios Scholar research intern at the Translational Genomics Research Institute, better known as TGen. This internship led to a full-time position as a research technician. I have spent the last two years conducting research focused on developing new drugs for cancer patients.

I began volunteering during my senior year at the Phoenix Christian Neighborhood Clinic. The clinic is a charitable institution dedicated to providing accessible health care to the uninsured, many of whom speak Spanish. Whether I am sharing a lighthearted moment with a patient, laughing at my modest Spanish skills, or rejoicing in the accomplishments of someone who is successfully managing their health, I find that each of these situations offers an opportunity to practice the qualities of compassion and empathy.

This year I applied and was accepted into the MD program at Creighton University here in Phoenix.

My path to medical school was not an easy one. I started college at the opposite end of the academic spectrum, but as I discovered, I had to be flexible in figuring out who I am—in finding my purpose—and always be prepared for the twists and turns.

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About Brian Durbin

Brian Durbin, a 2023 GCU graduate with an undergraduate degree in biology, is an assistant professor of laboratory biology at GCU. He came to the university from his hometown of Racine, Wisconsin, in 2020. In addition to teaching, he works full-time at TGen, where he researches drugs in development to fight cancer. His heart is in helping those in need, especially through mission trips. He has participated in several mission trips, including to Guatemala and Mexico.

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