2020 Tillman Scholar
Feeling a call to service after 9/11, Matt joined the Marines shortly after high school graduation. He served within an infantry battalion on three combat tours between Iraq and Afghanistan; a rich season of valuable growth and experience. His first-hand involvement with medical emergencies, ranging from the medical evacuation of civilian blast victims to providing care to Marine casualties, were the most influential in guiding Matt’s future into the healthcare field.
Matt later received his B.S. in nursing from the University of South Florida, and desiring to continue to work with his fellow veterans, Matt transitioned into a nursing career within the Veterans Affairs (V.A.) healthcare system specializing in the areas of emergency and critical care.
Eventually choosing to further his education into the area of anesthesia, Matt is presently in the process of completing his doctorate at the University of South Florida’s nurse anesthesia program. Upon graduation, he hopes to continue his work with the V.A., utilizing his experiences in the military and as a veteran to build rapport with veteran patients, providing a safe and calming environment at a time when they are most vulnerable.