skip to Main Content

College of Medicine student named a Tillman Scholar

Justin Gor’s record of exemplary service leads to highly competitive scholarship
Justin Gor Texas A&M College of Medicine 2019 Tillman Scholar

Justin Gor, a second-year student at the Texas A&M College of Medicine, is one of two Texas A&M University student veterans selected as 2019 Tillman Scholars. Each year, the Tillman Foundation awards academic scholarships to 60 of the best-poised leaders from the U.S. military, veterans and their spouses from around the country.

Gor has immersed himself in the medical field his entire life, from being a close observer when his younger brother underwent extensive medical care, through providing medical care and training as a Navy corpsman, to studying medicine. His personal motto reflects the depth of his caring:When you commit yourself to a life of service and learning, such as in medicine, what you can achieve for mankind will be greater than anything you do for yourself.”

Gor earned a bachelor’s degree in nutritional science at Texas A&M, then applied to the College of Medicine. “I know the faculty here are brilliant, and I had a medical student mentor who told me why he chose the Texas A&M medical school,” Gor said. “Everything he said resonated with me and aligned with my own goals and values.”

A life in motion

Gor anticipates a busy summer ahead, from a delayed honeymoon with his bride to returning home for an ultrasound of their baby, then to Chicago for the Tillman Scholars Leadership Summit, before participating Operation Lone Star, an emergency preparedness exercise in South Texas. “These are all things that make me happy, so I look forward to each one,” he said.

Gor said he is humbled to be chosen as a Tillman scholar and relieved to know he will leave medical school with no tuition debt. “This is obviously a plus financially, but it’s also a great networking opportunity,” he said. “I have already met so many great people associated with the program. I am learning from all of them. The Tillman Foundation identifies leaders who put their service into motion, so I feel honored to be in their midst.”

Gor enlisted in the Navy at age 18 as a corpsman and was deployed twice with the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, 3rd Marine Division. In addition to providing medical care, he taught hundreds of marines and local foreign nationals the basics of trauma management and had the opportunity to mentor junior sailors and marines. It was there that he discovered his passion for teaching and the impact of sharing knowledge. Although the experiences he gained as a corpsman are irreplaceable, he recognized the limitations of his training and decided to pursue higher education.

After graduating with his medical degree, Gor plans to return to the military to serve those who serve in the line of duty. At this point, he is considering becoming a surgeon, but he has not ruled out other medical specialties. He also intends to use his position as a physician and his experiences gained in the military as a platform to teach medicine so that others can positively impact the people and communities around them.

About the Pat Tillman Foundation

In 2002, Pat Tillman put his NFL career with the Arizona Cardinals on hold to serve his country. Family and friends established the Pat Tillman Foundation following Tillman’s death in April 2004 while serving with the 75th Ranger Regiment in Afghanistan. Created to honor Tillman’s legacy of leadership and service, the Pat Tillman Foundation invests in military veterans and their spouses through academic scholarships—building a diverse community of leaders committed to service to others. For more information on the Pat Tillman Foundation and the impact of the Tillman Scholars, visit http://www.PatTillmanFoundation.org.

 

This article was adapted from a story in Texas A&M Today.

Media contact: media@tamu.edu

Share This

Related Posts

Back To Top