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STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Nathaniel Marroquin

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Colorado Campus, Class of 2024

Where is your hometown?
San Diego, CA

Undergraduate studies:
Biochemistry and Cellular Biology - University of California San Diego

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
Dermatology Interest Group Association (DIGA) Podcast Chair and Host

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Southern California and joined the United States Navy following my high school graduation. I had duties as a diesel mechanic and Naval Search and Rescue Swimmer. During my time in the military, I deployed three times to the Persian Gulf in the span of a four years. I was honorably discharged and became a first generation college student to pursue a future career in medicine.

What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
I chose to attend RVU because of how the curriculum was laid out, the board pass rate, and the Match rate. All three of these made me believe that when I left RVU, that I would be ready to hit the ground running in any residency I was accepted too. My interest in medicine was first piqued when I was in rescue swimmer school, where I was learning how to manage individuals who may have had a traumatic accident in the middle of the ocean. My interest was further stimulated when I took my first human anatomy/cadaveric dissection course in undergrad and seeing how the human body worked as a unit to allow us humans live everyday life made me realize my future was meant to be in medicine.

What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests and hobbies)?
I enjoy spending time with my wife and two daughters doing things outdoor activities such as camping and going to the beach. Fitness is a big part of my life as well, so I do some form of physical activity every day of the week!

What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
5 years ago I broke my neck and back mountain biking and on impact I was paralyzed from the waist down. I was told that I may never gain function of my legs, however today I am fortunate enough to be walking. I saw this tragic life event as an opportunity to help individuals who are less fortunate than I am and to date I have created a charity that has raised nearly $8000 dollars where all proceeds are donated to spinal cord injury patients.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
I think the best advice I was given by a former student who matched into a competitive specialty was "why not you?". Everyone has the opportunity to match into any specialty they choose, it may take more work than others and that's what "why not you?" means to me!

What are your medical interests?
Dermatology

What is a favorite memory you have from being in RVU?
I think my favorite memory is the opportunity RVU allowed me to create my charity that supports spinal cord injury patients. RVU gave me a platform to reach classmates in all years as well as gain support from the local community and for that I am forever grateful!

What advice do you have for prospective students?
All things are possible through hard work! With that being said, find the time to enjoy yourself during medical school. It is a long and challenging road, but remembering you are human and you have to still do the things you love!

Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Go Fighting Prairie Dogs!

Samantha Sposet - RVU DO Colorado Class of 2025

Sammie Sposet

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Colorado Campus, Class of 2025

Where is your hometown?
Westlake, OH

Undergraduate studies:
Cleveland State University, Biology and Health Sciences

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
EMRIC 3rd year representative, Young Doctors Program Co-Director, Academic Medicine and Leadership Track, Student Ambassador

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I'm Sammie! I'm a washed up college athlete that now puts most of my free time into being active outdoors, hanging out with friends, doing CrossFit and going to concerts. I'm originally from Cleveland, Ohio so I'm working on making up for lost sunshine while I'm living in Colorado 🙂

What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
RVU caught my interest based on the location, the culture and the various clubs/activities to engage in hands on learning. I have gotten a great didactic education at RVU, but I think that it is equally important to be happy in the location you're at and with the people around you in medical school. This extends to your support system outside of medicine, and Denver, CO has provided plenty of opportunities for connections both in and out of medicine. Additionally, the opportunities through SIMS club and EMRIC have allowed me to strengthen my skills and apply information clinically early on. I have always found happiness in taking care of others and have found the human body amazing- it is incredible what the body can endure and how much is happening from minute to minute to keep us alive!

What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests and hobbies)?
Outside of RVU, I love doing CrossFit, hanging out with friends and going to concerts. Getting to go to red rocks so frequently is something I never imagined for myself, and I'll never take it for granted. I love doing anything outdoors, being in the sunshine and near water, and love to play volleyball! Washington Park is one of my favorite places to be active and see some water.

What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
One time I rode a dairy cow.... This has become my interesting fact since my interview with RVUCOM where the stress of the situation took over and I found myself sharing this fact (that I had forgotten about until that moment) without any sort of filter. The cow's name was Autumn and she was my great uncle's best milk producing cow on his dairy farm. ... As it turns out, cows are rather wide, bony and slow.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
People are not giving you a hard time, they're having a hard time.

Also, in the midst of trying to absorb vast amounts of information, I have found it helpful to remind myself that even if information doesn't end up being covered on an exam, that there is always a patient on the other side of that information and you're never wasting knowledge.

What are your medical interests?
I am very interested in Emergency Medicine; I love the fast-paced environment, the unpredictability and the variety of the specialty. Also, you are there to be a really great physician for a patient and their family on one of the worst days of their lives.

What is a favorite memory you have from being in RVU?
I have loved participating in SIMS and EMRIC events- most notably the annual obstacle course event with different medical procedure stations and the systems based case series events and procedural workshops that occur throughout the year.

What advice do you have for prospective students?
Come into medical school with an open mind and a desire to work. You're forming the foundation for your medical knowledge that will translate to thousands of human lives... that you are in charge of.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Start forming positive thought processes early on- imposter syndrome doesn't just go away. You will constantly be pushed outside of your comfort zone and there will be weeks at a time that you will be challenged with minimal wins- learn how to be reflective, but also to be kind to yourself to allow for growth. Form support systems within and outside of medical school. Do something for yourself every day, no matter how busy you are.

Lastly, the grass is greener where you water it. No medical school, residency program or staff position is perfect. People will often share about their frustrations but be someone that shares about the positives and remember that you will get what you give. This will take you a long way in didactics and through clinicals.

Matthew Duncan

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine
Colorado Campus, Class of 2026

Where is your hometown?
Dallas, TX

Undergraduate studies:
Biology

Graduate studies:
Master of Business Administration

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
Medical Student Pride Alliance, Student National Medical Association, Class Council of 2026, Diversity-Equity-Inclusion-Board (DEIB), Peer Mentor, Tutoring, Medical Spanish, Urban Underserved Track

Tell us a bit about yourself.
Hello, I am Matthew Duncan and I am a current OSM-II here on the Colorado Campus. I am from Dallas, Texas and came here with my four year old dog, Noir! After graduating from Texas Tech University, I worked in a pathology practice for 1.5 years and then moved to Colorado to start medical school here at RVU. In my free time, I enjoy long naps, trying new foods and deserts, and getting out of my comfort zone by exploring the outdoors and scenes of Colorado.

What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
I was initially drawn to RVU due to my desire to work with underserved populations and was excited to see the Urban Underserved Track that was offered. On top of that, RVU’s track record as a leading DO school with top board pass rates gave me confidence that the education I received, would be a solid foundation for my journey towards becoming a physician that is capable of addressing the needs of my community.

I am pursuing a degree in Osteopathic Medicine because my interactions with DO physicians gave me a newfound appreciation of treating the body as a whole and RVU’s mission and curriculum aligned with my goal of understanding the ‘why’ behind a patient’s condition.

The principles of Osteopathic Medicine are important to me because I believe it will help me fully understand the relationship between structure and function when approaching the underlying cause to a patient’s illness or disease and the benefits of using OMT as it relates to the mind, body, and spirit for holistic patient care.

What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests and hobbies)?
I enjoy spending time with my dog, bowling, roller skating, playing my violin and video games, crocheting, and spending time with friends.

What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
I won best actor in 7th grade for the musical play "Give My Regards to Broadway"

What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
"Through it all, remember to take time for yourself". This advice came from a student in the class above me and his words have been so helpful in keeping me motivated throughout my journey in medical school.

What are your medical interests?
I am interested in Psychiatry, Family Medicine, and Pathology but my interests are always changing.

What is a favorite memory you have from being in RVU?
One of my favorite memories being at RVU would be the Spring Gala. I had such an amazing time with my friends and reflected on all the bonds I had created with others in such a short amount of time.

What advice do you have for prospective students?
Be the biggest advocate and supporter for your dreams and goals. Even in times of uncertainty, trust your instincts and put in any amount of effort you're comfortable with giving.

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