Once a part of the Heidelberg family, always a part of the Heidelberg family – but after graduation, our Student Princes are now the hard-working and ever-learning leaders of a new community. In our new web series, we’re checking in with our recent grads about their Heidelberg journeys, and asking them Where HU Takes U.
Ryan Newman
Ryan Newman grew up in North Royalton, Ohio. He majored in biology, on the pre-med track, and minored in psychology and chemistry during his time at Heidelberg, and graduated in 2022.
What is your current position and when did you begin?
I am a Physician Assistant Student (PA-S) attending Lake Erie College in Eastern Cleveland. Right now, I am in a year of clinical rotations before I obtain my master's degree, getting experience in places such as University Hospital, Cleveland Clinic, and Southwest General Hospital. Though I haven’t yet begun my career, my passion for medicine dates back to high school when I worked as a medical provider in Middleburg Heights. From there, I knew that this was a career that would continue to push me personally and professionally. I appreciate the challenge that the medical field provides for me, and I look forward to applying both the knowledge and the soft skills that I gained throughout my time at Heidelberg in my career.
What has been surprising about your new position or the process of earning it thus far?
I was in the unique position of knowing exactly what I wanted to do when I toured colleges, so the pre-medicine degree, cadaver lab, and biology departments stood out to me when I first toured Heidelberg. Most importantly, because of the small class size and hands-on instruction I received, I was well-equipped to transition to a small, demanding master's program. My coursework at Heidelberg required me to actively participate in my daily classes, along with professors who challenged my knowledge every step of the way. In the process of earning my master's degree, I have found that even though the understanding of the medical field that I gained through my undergraduate degree is helpful, the social skills that I was able to practice at Heidelberg are just as valuable. Anybody can study a textbook, but those interpersonal skills will make me a better physician assistant someday.
What knowledge or skills do you rely on most in your day to day life?
I have seen firsthand how operating efficiently and effectively at all times of day is important when working in the medical profession. I rely on managing my time constructively to provide my patients with the best care possible. Through being involved in many extracurriculars at Heidelberg, specifically sports like soccer and tennis, I learned how important time management is. Additionally, I developed effective communication skills throughout my leadership roles in clubs at Heidelberg that have positively impacted my professional career.
What experiences or individuals were particularly impactful during your time at Heidelberg and in what ways?
During my time at Heidelberg, I constantly felt compelled to improve while being supported in my education. The professors in the biology and chemistry departments work tirelessly to ensure each student fulfills their specific goals. They create an environment that makes learning fun and exciting every day! Additionally, the classrooms, cadaver lab, and laboratories on campus are amazing facilities that allow students to get a first-class education.
Separate from academics, the athletic programs and student body of Heidelberg positively impacted my time at the university and beyond. The athletic programs at Heidelberg helped me maintain drive because I belonged to something bigger than myself. This sense of community made me feel at home. I knew that I had a second family to cheer for my wins and support me through my losses. This is something that I have carried with me throughout my time in graduate school. I made forever friendships in the connections cultivated on campus, and I will have stories to tell for the rest of my life.
What advice do you have for current undergrads trying to find their next step?
My advice to current undergraduate students is to get involved in every possible way! As an undergraduate student at Heidelberg, I participated in men’s soccer, tennis, Rho Eta Delta, SCRUBS (the pre-medical professionals group) as President, and many other opportunities that Heidelberg awarded me. I am proud to say that I took every chance to improve myself and others on campus and also in the community. I think that the most important thing is to remember your purpose and do everything in your power to achieve it (while having fun along the way, of course).
If you are a compassionate, driven person, I promise that Heidelberg University is where you want to be. It offers every opportunity you need to become successful. Take advantage of all the opportunities the professors, clubs, greek life, community, and athletics present. And most importantly, GO BERG!