For Joshua de Waal, a childhood experience with his dad\u2019s accident made one thing clear: quality health care can change lives\u2014and he wants to be part of that change.<\/p>\n
De Waal, a Spring 2026 graduate of Midwestern State University, said he was always interested in health and science, A childhood accident involving his dad, however, highlighted how much a quality health care provider can make a difference.<\/p>\n
At MSU, where he majored in biology and minored in chemistry, de Waal found the environment and support system that helped shape his path toward a career in medicine.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy family has continued to have medical problems, and I just think, man, people have continued to give back to me \u2013 I see how good providers have made that difference for me \u2013 so a part of me just wanted to give back,\u201d de Waal said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Having friends in the science department at Midwestern State University encouraged him to pursue his degree there. Growing up in the Frisco (Memorial High School grad), de Waal was looking for a smaller, more personal campus\u2014and appreciated being close enough for quick trips home.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Affordability was also a factor. De Waal pointed to professors Elizabeth Machunis-Masuoka, Ph.D, and Candice Fulton as particularly influential during his time at MSU.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cGetting past that check-box mentality is really what did it for me,\u201d de Waal said. \u201cI\u00a0really just\u00a0fell in love with the experience. It was\u00a0almost like\u00a0a coincidence that I really enjoyed everything as much as I did and that everyone was just\u00a0absolutely great.\u201d<\/p>\n
De Waal entered the\u00a0program\u00a0knowing he needed to perform well to have a realistic chance at medical school. He stayed highly involved on campus, serving as president of Health Sciences,\u00a0participating\u00a0in Model United Nations (MUN), and joining several honor societies. Despite a demanding schedule, he\u00a0makes time\u00a0for interests such as photography and staying physically active.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He encourages current and incoming students to get involved, calling it<\/p>\n
![\"Joshua](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/joshua-de-waal-31.jpg\")
\nPhotos courtesy of Joshua de Waal. Photo illustration above by Nizhoni Roberts\/MSU Texas featuring de Waal by the Spirit of the Mustangs, and de Waal in the new addition of Bolin Hall where the stairway has a historical look at McCoy College of Science, Mathematics & Engineering.
<\/p>\n
\u00a0 the best way to make the most of college. Involvement provides resources, builds friendships, and opens doors for opportunities after graduation.\u00a0<\/p>\n
School can be stressful, especially with a full schedule like de Waal\u2019s. He said his passion for his goals\u2014and the support of those around him\u2014kept him motivated.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cIn a lot of the orgs, I made really great friends, and that\u2019s really what\u2019s gotten me through, just the people that I\u2019ve met here,\u201d de Waal said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He also credited strong relationships with professors as a key source of support. At a smaller campus, he said, students\u00a0have the opportunity to\u00a0connect with faculty and feel recognized as individuals rather than \u201cjust another number.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cFor me,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0always been about\u00a0the relationships. For one, being able to help other people, and just being able to interact with a wide variety of people. MSU has that,\u201d de Waal said.\u00a0<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
De Waal plans to travel over the summer before starting a Physician Assistant program in Abilene.\u00a0He hopes to visit New York and fit in a hiking trip while continuing to practice photography.\u00a0After finishing PA school, he aims to work in general surgery or a related field. He is particularly interested in serving rural communities, which are often underserved in health care.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Giving back\u00a0remains\u00a0his primary goal, and he is also considering teaching later in his career to instill that same commitment to helping others in future generations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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