42 year old trucker goes to medical school

KMBC Channel 9 in Kansas City did this news story on me when I started to medical school in 2004, in some ways it feels like just yesterday in other ways a lifetime. I never posted it thinking such a posting might "jinx" the whole deal.

Sorry for the poor quality, it was recorded off my computer screen with my camera.

While I quit driving full time in 2000, Signor Trucking never actually "quit" me, so all I had to do was give Kevin and the gang a call, even on short notice and go and drive on breaks. I covered just at 42,000 miles the summer before medical school (in the food grade tanker shown in the video)

KMBC did make one little error, when I mentioned college algebra and calculus, I was refering to what I faced in 2000 when I first started out (these were long gone by medical school).

I enrolled at KU Lawrence ON my 38th birthday Aug 21st 2000. I graduated in May (2008) as an MD (at the 'tender" age of 45).

I started my DUAL residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics on July 1st, 2008.

I just wanted to share with everyone who has a dream, it is never too late to start. I guess what I am saying here is that if I can do it, 'pert near' anyone can.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Signor
• Trucking
• non-traditional
• 42 year old
• trucker
• medical student
• KUMC
• KU
• University of Kansas
• father
• Freightliner

[dsleepy1]

Thanks for posting!  It helped convince me that I'm not crazy for seriously considering.

[raboyd2008]

Nope, if it is your dream and you are prepared to do what it takes (I mean EVERYTHING on the table here)... there ain't NO reason you can't!

[Kelz06081984]

CONGRATS!!

You're amazing!

[raboyd2008]

Thank you sir!

While I did have to sit for all of the exams, I must give most of the credit to my wife who made the sacrifices for me to pull this off!

[mijnadarian]

Well Done Richard!

And to every person who feels old-

If there is a will; there is way-

All the best and success

[melallstar21]

You are an inspiration! Right now I am 23 I am still an undergrad student. I had to take off for finanical reasons and I was discouraged to find all my friends graduating this year. I am an EMT basic, and Real Estate Agent. I actually want to persue becoming a CPR instructor, paramedic, phelbotomist, and toxicology. You are an inspriation. I guess the saying "its never too late" is actually being put into affect....Thankz :)

[viddj]

I'm 42 now and just finishing my pre-reqs hoping to take the MCAT's within a year or so. Great story. How is it going??

[buttmanroad]

Thats Awsome!!

[Julesx7d7]

I understand that your video post is a few years old but I just ran accross it today. Needless to say I can completely and utterly blown away...

I just would like to you know that you are making a difference in many peoples lives just by uploading a simple video. And for that I thank you. Very much so!

PS- oh! btw, if you don't mind me asking; what was your score on the MCAT?

[TheTigerReturns]

WOW!

I'm only 14 and I'm just blown away!

Well done mate!

[joseaod15]

Wow, I'm finishing my first semester of Medical School and I'm 22. This gives me a lot of inspiration. Congratulations

[ashthegreat]

@keshavarzia2

Agreed. I do it all for people and not for money. Also, it would actually be the worst thing you can do to your dignity if you work only for money. Do it for morality.

[Rinry]

Richard I am truly happy for you. You inspire me. =)

I'm going to take pre-med classes starting next term. I'm confident that I will do well in those but right now my engineering marks aren't as high (definitely not high enough for med school requirements). Do you think I have a chance to get into med school if my pre-med grades are high, but my engineering marks are only average? I really want to become a doctor.. for the people.

[aaahhhhaaaahhhh]

Amazing