Ryan Goodson’s passion for medicine began while he was playing soccer in middle school. As he was running down the field, Goodson was fouled from behind, causing him to fall on his hip.

“With adrenaline rushing, I paid no attention to the fall, attempting to return to play,” says Goodson, a 2020 Most Valuable Student scholar sponsored by Ironton, Ohio, Lodge No. 177. “Pain began to creep its way into my attention, restricting my mobility. Only then did I realize that this was much more serious than previous falls.”

Goodson’s suspicions were correct: He had multiple fractures of his lumbar vertebrae. Goodson was devastated by the prognosis. He associated his broken back with a future of shattered dreams. Once he went to the doctor, however, his mindset changed.

“Fortunately, I was placed under the care of an amazing physician,” says Goodson. “My orthopedic surgeon acknowledged the concerns of my family and me, reassuring us that our assumptions might not necessarily be true.”

Though the journey to recovery was long—Goodson had to wear a back brace for six months—he was eventually able to return to the activities he loved, fully healed.

“At one time, I wished for a different outcome from that soccer game,” says Goodson. “Now, as time has passed, I can see how the experience has shaped my life for the better: introducing me to the medical professional after whom I wish to shape myself, giving me personal experience that allows me to empathize with future patients, and setting me on the path to providing orthopedic care for those with similar stories.”

A graduate of the University of Kentucky, Goodson used his time in college to care for others through Campus Kitchen, a student-run organization focused on reducing food waste and addressing food insecurity.

“Serving with Campus Kitchen gave me an opportunity to truly impact others with my time,” says Goodson. “Ultimately, service is a reminder to me of why I chose medicine: helping create positive changes in the lives of others in their time of need.”

As he continues into medical school with the aid of the Weigel Medical School scholarship, Goodson credits his first Elks National Foundation scholarship for getting him to where he is today.

“The MVS scholarship was not just financial support to me, it was an encouragement that my efforts of volunteerism were a step in the right direction,” says Goodson. “It was inspiration to continue serving others, to move outside of my comfort zone further and reach populations I had never interacted with. It was an open-armed invitation into a new family, one that is devoted to helping others.”

Goodson will attend the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine to study orthopedics.