
2025 - 2026 Scholars
Meet our exceptional Scholars – a group of driven individuals who have been carefully selected by SOFtoSOM and have begun their journey to become future physicians. Rooted in the Special Operations background, our Scholars exemplify unwavering commitment, relentless determination, and a spirit of excellence. Their diverse experiences and dedicated mindset empower them to thrive in the pursuit of their dreams and bring positive change to the field of medicine. We're proud to support their transformation into future leaders of healthcare.

Aidan Bayer
Aidan is a Navy service member and medical professional preparing to begin medical school in 2026. After eight years on active duty, he looks forward to continuing his commitment to service through a career in medicine, where he hopes to build on his experience caring for others in high-responsibility environments.

Jacob Boyette
Jacob has spent more than 13 years serving as a medical professional within Army special operations, where he developed extensive experience in providing high-level care across demanding environments. Born and raised in Kentucky, his time in service strengthened his commitment to delivering world-class healthcare to underserved communities. In addition to his interest in global health, Jacob is drawn to Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, and Ophthalmology. He will continue his medical education at the West Virginia University School of Medicine.

David Cantong
David grew up in Southern California and enlisted in the Marine Corps after graduating high school. He spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserve and eventually became a Reconnaissance Marine before joining the Army to become a Special Forces Soldier. During his time as a Special Forces Medic, David had the opportunity to treat patients in both the deployed and hospital settings. Additionally, he teaches courses in limited-resource and austere medicine, where he has found a passion for research and education. David completed a degree in Health Science at Campbell University. David’s ultimate goal is to continue serving his community by becoming a Trauma and Burn Surgeon, and to address the improvement of access to education, care, and resources for rural and underserved communities suffering from these disease processes. His hobbies include spending time with his wife and three children, participating in endurance sports, and enjoying good food with friends.
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Carsten Good
Carsten has been part of the SOF to SOM Scholar Program since 2024 and anticipates matriculating into medical school in 2026. He is deeply committed to serving his community and is excited to continue that commitment through a future career in medicine.
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Dylan Hunter
Dylan Hunter, originally from Upstate New York, began his career in the Army Reserve in 2012 before discovering his passion for medicine. Inspired by a paramedic whose experiences on 9/11 sparked his interest in prehospital care, he earned his EMT certification and later transitioned into military medical roles. After several years of service—including operational assignments that strengthened his skills as a medic—Dylan moved to Huntington Beach, California, where he is completing his Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences at Chapman University.

Michael Hutchinson
Michael is a Dayton, OH native that served as Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewman (SWCC) in the Navy for 13 years. After his service, he began pursing his goal of becoming a physician. Outside of work and school, he enjoys time with his wife and their children as well as "Penny Beans" their Goldendoodle.

Anderson Jackson
Anderson is a Navy veteran and dedicated EMT committed to advancing his education in medicine. He is particularly interested in surgery and emergency medicine, fields in which he hopes to continue serving others through hands-on, high-impact care.
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Sean McFadden
This Scholar has been selected and will update their bio soon.

Maxwell Molitor
Maxwell is originally from Chicago, has served as a Navy medic since 2017. He is dedicated to mentorship, teamwork, and service to others. Max look forward to continuing this service as he matriculates into medical school in 2026.

Daniel Steele
Danny is a former Army Special Operations medical professional with a strong foundation in advanced prehospital care. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Physiology from UCLA and is preparing to matriculate into the medical school class of 2030. Danny is committed to continuing a career of service through medicine and looks forward to applying his experience and academic training to patient care.

Brian Gravano
Brian Gravano is an Air Force veteran currently enrolled in a post-baccalaureate pre-medical program at the University of Vermont. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, he developed a passion for emergency medicine through his work as an ocean lifeguard, EMT, and military rescue specialist. As he completes his undergraduate coursework, Brian continues to strengthen his clinical skills while serving as a paramedic in rural Vermont.

Loran "Mick" Lott
Born and raised in rural Louisiana, Mick is preparing to begin medical school in 2026. He brings 14 years of diverse experience as a military medical professional, serving in a variety of roles that strengthened his skills in emergency care, patient management, and medical readiness. Mick plans to continue his military service after medical school, with the goal of providing care and support to service members and the broader special operations community. His medical interests include family medicine, emergency medicine, and orthopedics.

John Dyer
John is a senior medical professional and team leader within Army special operations, bringing over two decades of experience to his transition into medicine. A Connecticut native, he began serving his community as a volunteer firefighter and EMT before joining the Army in 2004. Throughout his career, he has provided trauma care in challenging environments and led multidisciplinary teams in complex operational settings.
John holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Health Sciences from The George Washington University and recently completed premedical coursework at Campbell University. Outside of work, he enjoys flying airplanes and exploring new adventures with his wife and children. He will retire from active duty in 2026 to pursue his medical education.
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