Indiana University senior Micah Nathan, a co-captain of the IU Cheerleading team, has been awarded the U.S. Air Force Health Professions Scholarship Program (HPSP). This scholarship will cover all expenses for his medical education and commission him as an officer in the Air Force.
Nathan, who is majoring in Chemistry at Indiana University Bloomington and participates in both Air Force ROTC and Division I cheerleading, will begin his studies at IU’s School of Medicine in Bloomington next fall. Upon graduating this May, he will be commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force before starting medical school. The HPSP covers four years of tuition, provides an annual salary and living stipend, and guarantees a position as a physician in the Air Force after completing his residency.
“The medical field is somewhere where I can see real ways I can practically help people,” Nathan said. “That’s something I want to do for my career, and it’s a huge blessing to not have to leave medical school with a large amount of debt. I’m super grateful for that.”
Nathan noted that the scholarship offers security as he moves forward: “I’ll be able to fully enter the Air Force right after I finish medical school and finish up my residency,” he said. “I won’t have to worry about applying for jobs or where I’ll need to go next.”
His interest in medicine began early on; inspired by his uncle, an orthopedic surgeon, and experiences learning first aid as a Boy Scout in Valparaiso, Indiana. “We learned a lot about first aid in the Scouts, and I really fell in love with it,” he said. “I thought it was really interesting how the body works and how it’s able to heal itself.”
During his time at IU, Nathan participated on the coed cheerleading team throughout all four years, performing at football and men’s basketball games. He described how cheerleading contributed to his development: “Cheerleading helped me be confident, both physically and also in terms of leadership,” he explained. “Being comfortable performing in front of thousands of people, under pressure in high-stress situations, that’s been helpful during my time at IU. It puts things in perspective, and in cheerleading you have to work as a team. It’s a great experience you can’t take for granted.”
Nathan traveled with the football team to Pasadena for IU’s first-ever Rose Bowl win against Alabama on January 1st. “Being at the Rose Bowl was indescribable,“ said Nathan. “It was so amazing to see how many Hoosier fans made the trip out to the historic stadium and were a part of that dominant victory.”
Leadership has marked Nathan’s tenure at IU; he received both the Onward! Curtis R. Simic Scholarship for Leaders—awarded for positive engagement within IU—and the James W. and Betty Dye Scholarship for academic achievement and leadership potential.
He was also named “Ironman Cadet” by IU’s Air Force ROTC program after achieving its highest male physical fitness score last fall.
Looking ahead toward his future career path, Nathan expressed particular interest in flight medicine but remains open-minded about other specialties: “Aviation is really interesting to me,” he noted. “Working closely with pilots as a physician should prove to be both fulfilling and fun.” He added: “I’m definitely entering medical school with an open mind,” he said. “A lot of people find their interests during different rotations, and you never know what will interest you until you find it.”
Reflecting on his experience at Indiana University Bloomington College of Arts & Sciences, Nathan summarized: “The promise is growth,” he said. “Coming to IU, you learn a lot about yourself, and you grow by learning what you’re able to achieve and overcome.”
