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At a time when the nation faces a projected shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, the next generation of medical students is stepping forward with purpose. Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at ���ϲ����� is seeing that commitment firsthand.

The MD Class of 2030 has already received more than 9,000 applications — the largest in the institution’s history — surpassing the 7,614 applications received for the MD Class of 2029. For leaders in medical education, this surge is more than a record-breaking statistic; it is a reflection of a generation drawn to medicine by compassion, resilience and a desire to make a difference.

“We’re seeing a generation that is deeply motivated by purpose,” said Judette Louis, MD, M.P.H., dean of Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Eastern Virginia Medical School at ���ϲ�����. “The growing interest in medical careers reflects more than just an awareness of healthcare workforce shortages; it signals a renewed commitment among young people to be part of the solution. They want to make a tangible difference in their communities and in the lives of others.”

That sense of purpose is clear among current students like Joseph Thomas, MD Class of 2029, from Houston, Texas, whose journey to medicine was shaped by perseverance and a passion for addressing health disparities.

“Caring about minority populations and ensuring they have access to healthcare really inspired me to pursue medicine,” Joseph said. “My journey wasn’t easy. I took five gap years between college and medical school, working as a patient care technician in a dialysis clinic and doing research on minorities and healthcare disparities. But every step reaffirmed my goal to serve.”

For Joseph, the mission of the school felt like home. “I wanted to come to school here because the mission of the medical school resonated with me,” he said. “Caring about underserved populations is my passion, and to be able to do that as a physician is amazing.”

Annalee Holstege, another member of the MD Class of 2029, also felt an early pull toward service and medicine. The youngest of six children in a family filled with healthcare professionals, she grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, surrounded by examples of compassion in action.

“Medicine has always surrounded me. My dad is a physician, my mom was a nurse and three of my brothers went to medical school,” Annalee said. “But my choice to pursue medicine came from a deep personal calling. I’ve always loved science, but more than that, I wanted to serve.”

When it came time to choose a school, Eastern Virginia Medical School at ���ϲ����� was an easy decision.

“I grew up visiting Norfolk with my dad for his conferences,” she said. “I fell in love with the area — the water, the bookshops and the sense of community. When I learned how the medical school emphasizes service and compassion, I knew it aligned with my own values.”

Annalee says her first months in medical school have been filled with both challenge and reward.

“I’ve loved investing in the community, pushing my limits and getting involved in service,” she said. “Having two brothers here — one in residency and one in his third year — has been wonderful. They’ve been such a strong support system.”

Her interest in psychiatry, she added, comes from both personal experiences and an academic curiosity.

“I’m fascinated by the connection between the mind and body,” she said. “Understanding how mental and physical health intersect feels like another way to care for the whole person.”

For Thomas Kimble, MD, assistant vice dean of Admissions and Enrollment, these students’ stories underscore why the increase in applications matters.

“The prior largest cycle was 2021 when there was a national increase in medical school applications due to the COVID-effect, where many wanted to join the ranks of the ‘Healthcare Heroes,’” Dr. Kimble said. “Our continued growth is a testament to our students, our mission and the dedicated teams who make every applicant’s experience a positive one.”

“These students are stepping forward at a critical moment for healthcare,” said Alfred Abuhamad, MD, executive vice president for Health Sciences at ���ϲ�����. “Their enthusiasm reminds us that the future of medicine is bright — fueled by individuals who are deeply committed to caring for others and improving the world around them.”

The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates the U.S. will need more than 200,000 additional physicians to meet future healthcare demands, particularly in rural and underserved areas. In Hampton Roads alone, the healthcare industry has more than 2,000 open nursing positions and thousands of related vacancies, according to the Hampton Roads Workforce Council.

Yet, as the challenges grow, so does the resolve of those entering medicine. For students like Joseph and Annalee, the decision is rooted not in prestige, but in purpose.

“Even though not everyone has had the same exact journey,” Joseph said, “our goal has been the same — to make a difference. Blood, sweat and tears have brought me here.”

“I’m so blessed to attend a school that doesn’t just worry about what I know,” Annalee added, “but about how I care for others.”

As Dean Louis noted, today’s aspiring physicians are responding to a national need with compassion and conviction.

“This generation isn’t running from the challenges in healthcare,” she said. “They’re running toward them.”

President Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D. said, “���ϲ����� is honored to serve as the academic, clinical and research home for our newest group of medical students, defined by the passion, pride and purpose of Joseph, Annalee and their fellow Monarchs, through the pursuit of critical and rewarding careers in medicine. We are excited to see how their Monarch journeys will evolve in the coming years and the lasting impact they will have on individual citizens and our local communities.”

Pictured at top: MD Class of 2029 students Joseph Thomas and Annalee Holstege.