Overcoming a Disease Inspires College of Public Health Student to Address Population Health
| Brandyn Young is grateful for the opportunity to earn a dual degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
After surviving a life-altering health scare, Young vowed to help others attain, or maintain, good health.
A student in the UAMS M.D./MPH Combined Degree Program — a collaboration between the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health and the College of Medicine — Young aspires to become a physician who also values population health and health research.
“I like how the M.D./MPH program merges two critical perspectives — the one-on-one, patient-centered focus of clinical medicine and the population-level lens of public health,” he said.
Young’s health situation started with a constant cough and ongoing fatigue. He eventually scheduled an appointment with his primary care physician. During the visit the doctored ordered a few tests. What the exams revealed forever changed Young’s life.
“The doctor picked up on signs that suggested something major was wrong,” Young said. “He ordered further tests, which revealed that I had testicular cancer.”
Just 26, and a student at Brigham Young University at the time, Young was making plans for graduate school while enjoying a marriage that was less than a year old. However, the cancer diagnosis halted the good vibes and aspirations for the next phase of his education.
“Classes, career plans and daily routines became overshadowed by doctor’s appointments and the uncertainty of what lies ahead,” he said. “Cherishing life became my top priority. Everything else took a back seat.
“Receiving the cancer diagnosis was surreal,” he added. “It felt like a confrontation with my own mortality. I remember waves of shock, fear and disbelief all rolling through me. However, I was determined to fight the disease.”
Over nearly a year’s time, Young endured numerous consultations with specialists, diagnostic scans and a surgery. His faith in God, help from his family, along with compassion from medical professionals helped him handle the situation. Ultimately, he was declared cancer-free.
“With each scan, office visit, checkup, it felt like a small battle in a larger war against the cancer,” Young said. “In my mind, it went from a war against cancer to a war to remain open to whatever may come that I could not control.
“Thankfully, I had an outstanding medical team that supported me. I avoided a great deal of suffering that many do experience with cancer.”
After beating cancer, Young was determined to spend the rest of his life helping others.
“The moment I heard ‘cancer-free,’ I felt a mix of relief, gratitude and almost disbelief,” he said. “The gift of health gave me a renewed sense of purpose. I knew that my next steps would involve using my experiences to help guide others, whether through direct patient care or through academic mentorship and research.”
Young’s crusade against cancer inspired his desire to attend medical school.
“Cancer showed me my own mortality. It increased my desire to live well. The battle for my life forged a stronger connection between my family and me and the physicians fighting with me. That connection will enable me as a physician to improve, save and extend lives.”
Overcoming cancer also led to Young developing a bigger appreciation for the simple joys of life.
“My empathy increased for people going through serious challenges,” Young said. “I realized that a diagnosis can happen to any of us at any time. That motivated me to be more present, more compassionate and more purposeful in my personal life and in my future medical career.
“My career purpose then became to create a medical practice, improve the health of patients, love those I serve, and discover better ways to heal,” he added.
After earning a bachelor’s degree, Young enrolled in UAMS’ dual degree program in 2023.
His interest in public health also developed from his battle against cancer. While going through treatment, Young thought about how having adequate access to care spurred his recovery.
“Arkansas has numerous health care challenges,” he said. “Public health initiatives can address the shortcomings by promoting preventive care, ensuring vaccinations, improving nutrition and expanding mental health services.
“Public health addresses the well-being of entire populations, that excites me,” Young said. “I care about public health because it’s the community-level proactive side of medicine — as it prevents unnecessary crises and empowers societies.”
Young said he admires how the College of Public Health promotes service to the community as it provides a well-rounded education for its students.
“One of the aspects of the school that I enjoy is its close connection with the clinical side of UAMS,” he said. “Real-time patient data and immediate health care challenges often help shape our projects.
“Public health is about helping others live a happy and healthy life,” Young said. “I’m passionate about public health because I’ve seen how its principles can position entire populations to live in good health.”