Dr Infantry
Dan sends us a link from the Seattle Times which tells the story of Clinton Foriska which follows him from an infantryman in Iraq to Medical student at Pacific Northwest University.
He’s set to graduate from the University of Washington Bothell June 10 with a near-perfect GPA. Earlier this month, he was awarded UW Bothell’s Chancellor’s Medal, given to inspirational students who overcome significant obstacles.
And this fall, he’ll start his first year of medical school at Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences, a private four-year school for osteopathic medicine in Yakima. He hopes to work with veterans living in rural areas when he graduates.
At UW Bothell, Foriska is known for his sense of humor and get-the-work-done approach to college. “Ultimately, he’s a problem-solver,” said Heather Galindo, an instructor of biological sciences at UW Bothell.
He had stuck to his plan, making top grades through his first two quarters at UW Bothell, when life threw him a new curve: a diagnosis of testicular cancer. Foriska had to withdraw for the fall quarter of 2017 while he underwent surgery and treatment.
I’ve still got my plan, he said to himself. I could dwell on having cancer, but time doesn’t stop for anyone.
Foriska returned to classes in winter 2017 and applied for admission to Pacific Northwest University. He was in class one day when his phone rang; it was the director of admissions at Pacific Northwest. In his excitement, he ran out of the class to take the call. When he came back in, he announced to his classmates that he’d just gotten into medical school. Everyone in class was thrilled.
He calls it “one of the most exciting phone calls that I have ever received.”
Foriska and his wife, Jamie, whom he met at a Green Lake Starbucks, will move to Yakima this fall with their son, Matthias. His brother Kyle is going to move with them to help the family settle in.
But before that happens, on June 10, he’ll graduate summa cum laude — with the highest distinction — from the UW Bothell.
“I feel someone’s watching over me,” he said. “I’m definitely blessed.”
Category: Real Soldiers
Congratulations to the future Dr. Clinton Foriska – may his life continue to be blessed with good fortune.
Congratulations Mr. Foriska! You are a shinning example of adversity overcome. I wish you well in your studies and future practice.
Can’t remember the name of that Asshole teacher in California who told his students how people who join the military just aren’t very smart, or with no other possibilities for a successful future. We all knew that to be inaccurate (well, for the most part, anyway). Hopefully some youngsters will see this as an example.
Kudos and good luck to him and his family.
(Oh, yeah, had that cancer thing to deal with, too…)
That would be Gregory Salcido, a teacher at El Rancho High School and a member of Pico Rivera City Council, unless they’ve fired him.
The Patriot Post Link
The turd was fired by the school because they found saved pictures of nude women on HIS classroom computer. Pico Rivera voters have until August 21st to collect a little over 6300 signatures for a recall vote on the fall ballot.
Good, and thanks for the update.
or “fired at him” lol
Fair winds and following seas, Doc.
When he ETS’ed, at age 27, he had a HS diploma. You don’t get into Med School riding coursework consisting of Gender Studies, Womens’ Studies, and Perspectives on Gaming. You get there by taking science courses and lots of them. That all? No. Taking the courses is not alone sufficient. Neither is just passing the arduous courses. You do it by getting mostly A’s. Do that and you’re in? Hell no. next up is the dreaded MCAT. I wish him and his family the very best in life.
Hit report button by accident. Mea culpa
I am accustomed to being on report. Some days, I report myself.
BZ Doc. If you are interested in rural medicine I would like to invite you to check out my fair village located in the North Eastern part of your home state. Republic is a small town with a storied history, nestled in the mountains of the Okanogon highlands. It is as the say a sportsman’s paradise. Cheap property(so far) good schools, great people, a real hospital, and a great place to raise kids. the hospital serves the 8000 folks that call ferry county home. Like most rural areas we have more than our share of Vets, many live very close to the bone.
I invite you to contact me at rogerinrepublic@gmail.com. Bring the family and visit us, you will never want to leave.
Great story, congrats to Clinton and I hope for his continued success.
Then, of course, some Ivory Tower idiot has to opine on military service.
*facepalm*
Yeah, fuque that guy Carpenter. Hardened and pessimistic? Like H. Wide Load Clinton? Like virtually all members of the Left, including most college faculty? Like them? No, Foriska was aided in his quest by a can-do attitude that was honed, if not instilled in him, in the military. He was taught to overcome obstacles and push on toward the objective, come what may. Hardened and pessimistic my ass. (In my case, those things came with age. When I got out of service, I was full speed and was able to accomplish much.)
ANYTIME some College Representative brays about “Diversity” on their campuses, I wish I could ask them face to face how many of their Professors are registered Republicans.
Concur!
This is also one for anyone who says Infantry is for the “dumb” soldiers.
I can think of a number of folks who give lie to that very outdated and inaccurate stereotype.
Yep. Most of us have known both geniuses and fools up, down, and sideways in the military without any particular regard for job specialty. Although, it has been my experience that infantry sorts do tend to be a bit more hard headed than the rest of us. Not necessarily a bad thing.
For all the crap I sometimes give “Cannon Cockers”, (13 Bs) “Tread Heads” ( Armour) my time as a medic in Combat Arms units made me realize that these people were amazing in their technical expertise and problem solving skills. I would bet my life that the same holds true for today’s Infantry Soldier.
One of the smartest guys in my BCT unit had hisadter’s and was headed to be an 11B. By choice.
Whenever someone says that the only job Infantrymen can get I reply with the last time I checked we get the same GI Bill that you do. The days of conscripting illiterate farmers is long past.
Dang my proof reading skills. I meant to say “the only job an Infantryman can get is a mall cop”
Congrats Doc; If you moved to Florida, I’D have signed up with you as a patient. Before I retired, I only had one Doctor and after I moved to Florida, I now have around 7 specialists. Good luck. /In Jest
Well done. Nice.
John Kerry said US military members were stupid though.
Amd JoHn KarY sed thet if yur stoopid yoo go intoo Military and ge sent too Irak.
BZ to the future Doc Foriska. I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if he ends up back in a uniform again.
Anyone else keep reading that as UW Brothel? Or am I the only lne firmly in the gutter?
He has a long way to go before he can hang out his sign and wish him the best-we need folks like him.
My GP is a former Navy Corpsman. Didn’t have the cancer problem to overcome but there are obstacles.
Congrats Brother Foriska. Your Osteopathic Medical Training will benefit you and your patients for a career. The pre-med preparation and classes are best described as a “bitch” and you have succeeded. You will be an inspiration to your younger classmates, as you likely were to the interviewers who you spoke with. With a little luck, the ‘jerk’ high school teacher ( “Need-a-job” Salcido) will be hiding out in the NW and will cross paths with you. Make us proud !
S.F. McCartney, M.D. FACS CAPT USN (ret)
I don’t want that turd (Salcido) up here Doc.
BZ!
Late comers to the Medical field are not that rare. My mother’s internist was a probation officer before going to med school. My first Dr. here in the boonies was a Sandhurst educated British Army officer that served with the Para’s in the Falklands spat and then became a GP. A high school classmate flew P-3s for ten years in the navy before becoming a Cardiologist. Retired as an O-6 and started his civilian career. last I heard he was on a contract to the south pole.
Way, way COOL and I wish him success!