Leader in Action: Driven to make a difference

Mason Curtis is an aspiring M.D., and his story ‘serves as an inspiration for students from small towns who dream big’

Growing up in Mayhill, N.M. — a town with a population of 34 — Mason Curtis saw firsthand the challenges rural communities face when it comes to accessing healthcare.

“There were people who didn’t necessarily trust doctors or didn’t have the time to drive an hour to the nearest clinic,” he recalled. That experience inspired him to pursue medicine, specifically family medicine, so he could bridge that gap and serve those in need.

Now a student at UND, Mason is on an ambitious path. Enrolled in UND’s accelerated 4+1 Biology program, he is simultaneously completing both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

His academic journey was shaped by faculty members who encouraged him early on. “One of my professors told me that if I wanted to be a physician, I needed a solid foundation in science,” he said. “That’s what pushed me to change my major to biology and dive into research.” 

Read and watch more about Mason and his successful career at UND.