Robert Eysler’s path to medical school has been shaped by sustained involvement in global health and a leadership philosophy grounded in service, adaptability, and teamwork.
As an undergraduate studying biological sciences at Florida Atlantic University, Eysler sought out meaningful volunteer experiences and became involved with a student organization focused on international medical outreach. His first experience, a trip to rural Ghana, proved transformative. “I didn’t arrive at medical school in a traditional path,” Eysler said.
Rather than viewing the experience as a one-time service opportunity, Eysler remained engaged and gradually assumed leadership roles within the organization. He helped expand the group into a multi-campus program across Florida, engaging hundreds of participants. In that role, Eysler organized and led multiple international outreach trips, collaborating with physicians and local clinicians to provide care in underserved communities. Through that responsibility, he saw firsthand how preparation, teamwork, and clinical knowledge directly influence patient care.
One outreach experience in Colombia left a particularly lasting impression. During the trip, Eysler and his team treated a woman for a minor skin infection. Following her visit, she invited the team to her home, where she showed them the single room where her family of seven lived. “Seeing how quickly circumstances erased access to health care and stability stayed with me,” Eysler said. Using remaining trip funds, the team purchased a mattress for the family, reinforcing a lesson he continues to carry forward: Medicine does not end at the clinic door, but extends into the realities patients face when they return home.
Working in resource-limited settings also influenced the type of physician Eysler hopes to become. In global health environments, supplies can be limited, plans may change, and teams must adapt quickly. “Clear communication, clinical judgment, and teamwork mattered more than having ideal conditions,” he said.
That perspective continues to inform Eysler’s medical training at VCOM-Carolinas, where he is a member of the Class of 2027. In 2024, he participated in VCOM’s international outreach trip to Honduras, an experience that reinforced the same lessons he learned earlier in his global health work. Together, these experiences have shaped his goal of becoming a physician who can prioritize effectively, work collaboratively, and deliver high-quality care regardless of setting.
Eysler was recently selected by the VCOM-Carolinas Global Health Selection Committee Global Scholar of the Year, an honor he views as acknowledgement of long-term commitment rather than a single achievement. “This recognition reflects years of collective effort,” he said, expressing gratitude to classmates, physician mentors at VCOM, and the many individuals he has worked alongside during international outreach experiences.
The distinction has also reaffirmed his future goals. As a physician, Eysler plans to remain involved in global medical efforts, particularly in communities where the demand for health care exceeds available resources.
Through his experiences, Eysler has also redefined his understanding of leadership. Early on, he believed leadership meant having all the answers. “Over time, I learned that real leadership often looks less polished,” he said. For Eysler, leadership is about showing up for others, adapting when plans fall apart, and continuing to move forward toward a shared mission.
Beyond academics and clinical training, Eysler values activities that help him maintain balance and perspective. He enjoys snowboarding, traveling, riding motorcycles, and working on cars, as well as spending time with family and friends—pursuits that help him stay grounded during demanding periods of medical training.
