For Nathan Ng, DO, becoming a physician has always represented more than a career milestone. It represents the sacrifices of his family, the resilience he built while navigating an unfamiliar path and the opportunity to create a better path for those who follow.
As a first-generation college graduate and Kansas City University (KCU) College of Osteopathic Medicine alumnus, Ng understands what it means to enter spaces where the roadmap is not always clearly defined. That experience shaped his journey through medicine and inspired him to help create a stronger support system for other first-generation students pursuing careers in health care.
“Being a first-generation student is much more than simply being the first in my family to complete a four-year post-secondary degree,” he said. “It means representing my family and making them proud.”
He credits his parents for creating opportunities they themselves never had access to and for providing the foundation that allowed him to pursue his goals.
That gratitude has shaped how Ng has approached his own medical education. During his time at KCU, he became involved with the first-generation student club, serving as vice president.
The work expanded beyond KCU when Ng and other student leaders connected with the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA). Through a task force, they worked to create greater awareness of first-generation students within osteopathic medicine.
Their efforts focused on establishing a shared definition, developing resources and building mentorship opportunities to help future students navigate the path to becoming physicians.
“What started as an idea has really blossomed into something more,” he said. “I’m really proud to see how much it’s grown.”
Ng and first-generation student club president, Courtney Robinson received the President’s Award for the KCU College of Osteopathic Medicine Class of 2026 in recognition of their work developing resources and mentorship opportunities for first-generation students nationwide.
Before medical school Ng explored multiple interests, studying chemistry and music at a liberal arts college in Vermont. While initially he was unsure of his path, he eventually found his calling in medicine through a desire to serve others.
“I really wanted to help people,” he said. “I want to be there to heal.”
That purpose was reinforced during his time at KCU, where he gained firsthand experience caring for patients through community outreach and the student-run clinic.
As executive director of the clinic, he helped expand opportunities for students to serve patients who often faced barriers to accessing care. One experience continues to stay with him. While volunteering with Care Beyond the Boulevard, he met a patient experiencing homelessness who came in for a rash but was also dealing with multiple health concerns and limited access to treatment.
The encounter reinforced why he wanted to be a physician.
“Everybody deserves health care, but not everyone has access to it,” he said. “If I can be part of providing care to people, I can be part of the solution.”
That commitment to patient care now continues as Ng begins his residency in internal medicine at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center. He matched into his top-choice specialty and program, joining more than 4 out of 5 KCU students in 2026 who successfully transitioned into their top-choice specialty.
For Ng, internal medicine was the right fit because it combines problem-solving with long-term relationships with patients.
“I really like solving puzzles and I like the idea of having longitudinal care,” he said. “There are so many different factors working together, and you get to put those pieces together to figure out the diagnosis while building relationships with patients over time.”
The transition from medical student to resident comes during a season of major milestones. After completing medical school at KCU, Ng celebrated commencement and married his fiancée, Liz, before beginning his residency.
Being first-generation is part of the perspective he brings to medicine and the impact he hopes to make as a physician.
“It has become a big part of my identity,” he said. “I want to continue creating resources and support for first-generation students, so they know they belong here too.”
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