Driven by a lifelong calling to serve, Caleb Van Horn, a first-year medical student at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM)-Auburn Campus, has shaped his journey to medicine through perseverance, purpose, and hands-on experience. Although he has lived in several places, he now proudly calls Opelika home. “I consider Opelika my home because it has felt the most like home of anywhere I have lived,” he shared. His path toward becoming a physician is rooted in his work as an emergency medical technician (EMT), his ground search and rescue training, and the examples of dedication he witnessed throughout his life.
For Caleb, choosing medicine was not a single defining moment but a constant presence. “Medicine has been omnipresent throughout my entire adult life,” he said. “It felt right and natural, fascinating and complicated, with a depth of both knowledge and personal connection no other field can offer.” One of the greatest forces shaping this journey is his mother. Her decision to return to nursing school at age 40 left a lasting impression on him. “If I become even half the medical provider she is, I will have succeeded,” Caleb said. “She continues to be the most caring, skilled, and driven individual I have ever met.”
Caleb also credits Dr. Jonathan Mahram, a graduate of VCOM-Carolinas, with introducing him to osteopathic medicine. Observing Dr. Mahram’s approachability, expertise, and patient-centered care solidified Caleb’s desire to follow a similar path. In fact, Dr. Mahram was the first person Caleb called when he was accepted to VCOM.
Beginning medical school brought its share of nerves, but while the workload was challenging, effective time management allowed Caleb to succeed academically without giving up the activities he enjoys. Workshops and hands-on training through the Student Association of Military Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons and the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons Medical Student Section helped him maintain perspective and reconnect with the joy he finds in patient care.
Caleb values the strong sense of community within his class and the mentorship he has received from faculty members. He particularly appreciates Mike Brisson, MD, who has been instrumental in shaping his development as a Health Professions Scholarship Program student, offering both honest guidance and steady support as Caleb prepares for a career in military medicine. Caleb is drawn to trauma surgery or emergency medicine, fields that match his desire to serve others during times of critical need. “Every person on this planet has a right to life,” he said. “I will strive to intervene in times of misfortune and give people a second chance.”
Caleb remains deeply committed to his development as he continues his medical training. He draws motivation from his mother’s example, the mentors who have guided him, and the communities he has served. Together, these experiences have shaped a clear sense of purpose that carries him forward. As he looks ahead, Caleb is preparing for a career defined by compassion, confidence, and a strong commitment to delivering exceptional patient care.
