By TYLER ELLYSON
UNK Communications
KEARNEY – Two University of Nebraska at Kearney students spent their summers learning from some of the nation’s top physicians and researchers, experiences that strengthened their passion for medicine and prepared them for future careers in health care.
Isabel Zaruba of Columbus and Hernan Vargas of Gibbon – both enrolled in UNK’s pre-medical program – were selected for highly competitive internships that gave them rare opportunities to see the medical profession up close.
Exploring medicine at Stanford
A sophomore health sciences major with a public health minor, Zaruba was admitted to the Stanford Medicine Clinical Summer Internship program, which has an acceptance rate of about 5%.
For two weeks in July, she joined medical students, residents and faculty on Stanford University’s campus in California. The program combines lectures, labs, clinical shadowing and hands-on experiences to expose undergraduates to the diverse opportunities within medicine.
Zaruba dissected animal hearts, kidneys and brains, participated in a human anatomy lab and obstetrics and pediatric trauma simulations, and shadowed physicians and other health care professionals at Stanford Medical Center and an express care clinic. Daily lectures covered topics such as health equity, chronic diseases and life as a medical student.
“This experience was incredibly eye-opening, and it taught me a ton about myself,” Zaruba said. “I learned more about my passions, my primary focus in medicine and the wide array of experiences that are available in medicine.”
She also built lasting connections with peers and mentors from across the country.
“It gave me new friends, medical student mentors and amazing Stanford faculty to connect with, as well as invaluable knowledge related to my program,” she said. “It has been one of the most defining experiences thus far on my path toward my career.”
Zaruba is heavily involved at UNK, where she’s a member of the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, Honors Program and Gamma Phi Beta sorority. She serves as a peer health educator on campus, fundraising chair for the UNK chapter of VAW Global Health Alliances, events coordinator for GAMMA and group fitness instructor for Campus Recreation.
Earlier in the summer, Zaruba and several other UNK health science students completed a two-week medical outreach trip in Guatemala, where they worked alongside local physicians and nurses to provide free health care for more than 840 residents in underserved communities.
Growing up with parents who both work in health care – her mom is an occupational therapist and her dad a family practice physician – Zaruba always felt drawn to the field. She now plans to become a physician with a dual focus on patient care and health policy.
“I really hope to make an impact on lesser-served communities within health care, giving a voice to those who struggle to access care,” said Zaruba, who volunteers at the nonprofit HelpCare Clinic in Kearney. “I want my career as a physician to not only benefit myself and my passions but also the people I serve.”
Research and discovery at Mayo Clinic
Vargas, a junior biology major, spent 10 weeks at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, through the Summer Research Exploration Program in the Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He was one of just 10 students selected for the program, which introduces undergraduates to clinical research.
Working alongside doctors there, he helped analyze hearing outcomes in patients treated with gamma knife radiosurgery for vestibular schwannoma, a benign tumor in the inner ear.
“The experience was life-changing,” Vargas said. “It not only solidified my interest in medicine but also gave me clarity about the type of physician I hope to become. Being at Mayo Clinic showed me the importance of patient-centered care and the impact of research in shaping better outcomes.”
In addition to his research, Vargas shadowed physicians across multiple specialties, including facial plastic surgery, pediatric otolaryngology, laryngology, cardiac surgery and family medicine.
“I got to see the day-to-day life of some of the best doctors in the world,” he said. “Working with world-class physicians taught me that combining clinical practice with research is something I really want to pursue.”
At the end of the internship, Vargas presented his project, “Hearing Preservation after Stereotactic Radiosurgery for Vestibular Schwannoma in Patients with 100% Word Recognition Scores,” to Mayo Clinic faculty and staff. He’ll also present at the Combined Otolaryngology Spring Meeting in Phoenix next April, and a manuscript he co-wrote as first author is currently being finalized for review.
“This internship didn’t just give me research exposure; it gave me mentorship, professional growth, financial support and academic opportunities that will continue to shape my journey for years to come,” Vargas said.
The Mayo Clinic program provided him with a stipend, full MCAT prep course and financial assistance for his future medical school applications.
“The level of support that this internship brought me has been astounding, because it removes some of the biggest barriers that many students like me face on the path to medicine,” he said.
Like Zaruba, Vargas is active across campus. He conducts undergraduate research with biology professor Surabhi Chandra, serves as a resident assistant in Mantor Hall, works as a chemistry tutor in the Loper Success Hub and participates in the Delta Tau Delta fraternity, Alpha Psi Collegiate Latino Honor Society and Thompson Scholars Learning Community.
As a first-generation college student, Vargas said his motivation comes from personal experiences and a desire to serve others.
“I’ve seen firsthand how access to health care can make or break opportunities for individuals and families,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to become both a physician and a scientist, and to use that role to spread access to health care in underserved communities. I hope to make an impact by ensuring people receive the care they need, no matter where they live or any other barriers they may face.”
