Grateful Tiger Conversation: Jack Baumann

Jack Baumann
Edward and Rita Plowman Medical School Endowment
Second-year student
Hannibal, Missouri

Q: How has this scholarship assisted in your education?

A: Receiving this scholarship is a huge honor. Since beginning medical school, I have worked extremely hard to make the most of the opportunity I have. Ultimately, my goal is to become the best physician I can and to use the power of medicine to help others. One of the hardest and most stressful things about being a medical student is the financial investment. With this scholarship, I feel relieved and honored that my hard work is being recognized.

Q: What are your career goals and future plans?

A: My career goals are to become either an orthopaedic surgeon, general surgeon or dermatologist. I would love to eventually practice here in Missouri.

What are your extracurricular activities and hobbies?

A: I love to cook, play golf, exercise, travel and watch sports. I volunteer with the Special Olympics of Missouri in Columbia. Currently, I am on the executive board for the orthopaedic surgery and the sports medicine interest groups, and I am active in the plastic surgery interest group and dermatology interest group. I have been doing research at the Missouri Orthopaedic Institute for the past six years.

Q: What else can you tell us about yourself?

A: After graduating from Hannibal High School, I came to Mizzou and majored in biology. I was accepted into the MU School of Medicine through the Bryant Scholars Pre-Admissions Program.

My most impactful experience during the first year of school was during my rural clinical rotation last summer. I was given the opportunity to spend six weeks in Sikeston, Missouri, to learn from rural physicians from several specialties. The summer clinical experience reminded me that the product of all the hard work that goes into becoming a physician is the opportunity to make a difference in peoples’ lives daily. The physicians I worked with in Sikeston were very encouraging and open, taking time out of their day to maximize my learning experience. My clinical rotation strengthened my drive to become a surgeon and cemented my interest in practicing in a rural community.

Q: What message would you like to send your scholarship sponsor?

A: Your generous investment in my education and my future really makes a difference. Medical school is a large investment of both time and money, and these investments are daunting at times. It is humbling to be recognized for my hard work, and I feel honored to know that I have you in my corner cheering me on. Thank you very much.