The School of Medicine welcomes diverse, inspiring students
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It's never too late to find your true calling.
After nearly ten years working in politics and corporate America, incoming medical student Joel Dumonsau decided it was time to pursue the intangible pull he always felt toward medicine.
The COVID-19 pandemic was his turning point – a chance to re-spark his passion for healthcare. He says, “For me, it was an opportunity to put a lot of the things that I had been doing in my life on pause and transition to a career in medicine.”
That was it; it was decided. Dumonsau was going to apply for medical school.
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To prepare for the application process for medical school, he took classes and worked in a hospital setting as a research assistant, observing procedures and talking with patients about their experiences as part of his studies. “I got a lot of exposure to people really going through acute crises in their lives,” Dumonsau says.
Exploring the human aspects – the art – of medicine contributed to his formation. “I’m interested in opportunities to engage with others, to care about different people's life perspectives and to, frankly, be a little bit uncomfortable because that's where growth happens,” he adds.
That’s when he set his sights on Creighton. “The ultimate objective is to become a doctor, but I want to do it in a way that’s authentic to me,” Dumonsau says.
As a service-minded individual, he knew he wanted to use his education to serve those in tough situations, aligning with Creighton’s ethical and humanistic approach to medicine.
Though he knew it would be a hard path, medical school was what Dumonsau knew would make him feel fulfilled. “When I was accepted to Creighton, it was a really exciting feeling,” he recalls. “I told the admissions team they kind of just made my whole life.”
To Dumonsau, his journey to medical school was worth the wait. “As someone who’s 34 and married and has gone through a multitude of life experiences,” he says, “I feel I'm in a position where I can really relate to people and my patients.”
This incredible – and non-traditional – path is one of 250 unique stories that make up the class of 2028.
I’m interested in opportunities to engage with others, to care about different people's life perspectives and to, frankly, be a little bit uncomfortable because that's where growth happens.
— Joel Dumonsau, Creighton University medical student, Class of 2028
Impressive academics are a mark of a Creighton physician, and this class is no exception, with a mean MCAT score of 513 and a mean GPA of 3.82. The national average MCAT score is under 502.
In addition, 34 states are represented, with California (65), Arizona (27) and Minnesota (21) taking the lead.
In 2023, the medical school in Phoenix expanded its capacity from 100 spots to 120, making the academic year 2025-2026 another record-breaking year for the number of medical students on the campus. Arizona’s second-place ranking for the home state of incoming students further reflects the School of Medicine’s promise to address the healthcare workforce shortage in the southwest – attracting local students who may stay in the state upon graduation.
Arizona native Alexis Johnson, who attended Creighton for her undergraduate years, will return to Arizona this fall to begin her medical school journey at Creighton University School of Medicine in Phoenix.
“I am very excited and grateful to come home to Arizona,” Johnson says. “My family and two younger sisters are here, and it has been really challenging to be away from them.”
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Johnson will be missed on Omaha’s campus after playing an active role in the community. During her undergraduate years, Johnson was not only a pre-medical student, but she was also a midfielder on the Creighton Women’s Soccer team and a team leader at the Schlegel Center for Service and Justice (SCSJ).
She describes her involvement in the SCSJ as one of her most formative experiences. “I was accepted for who I was by my peers and coworkers, and I made meaningful friendships with people who pushed me to grow,” she reflects.
Johnson looks forward to building upon her Creighton community in medical school while also pursuing a dual degree through the Arrupe Global Scholars and Partnerships Program. She will earn her Master of Public Health (MPH), having recently returned from a global health orientation in the Dominican Republic.
Although Johnson's interest in the medical field began after serving in a local hospital throughout high school, she developed a passion for health equity after four years of social justice education and direct service in the Omaha community.
“I have a deep passion for justice, equity and decolonizing global health,” she states. “I am excited to learn the skills to work with communities and cultures in a way that is mindful and dismantles harmful systems.”
In addition to academic excellence, a deep commitment to service and justice is a mark of a Creighton physician, making Dumonsau, Johnson and the other 248 incoming medical students a perfect fit, especially as 100% of Creighton medical students volunteer in clinics, their communities and globally.
These diverse, academically gifted medical students will soon find a home at Creighton University after the upcoming White Coat Ceremonies when the School of Medicine will welcome the Class of 2028.
I have a deep passion for justice, equity and decolonizing global health. I am excited to learn the skills to work with communities and cultures in a way that is mindful and dismantles harmful systems.
— Alexis Johnson, Creighton University medical student, Class of 2028
