Student Marshal Spotlight: Natalie Holding’s Journey to Medical School

In December 2024, Natalie Holding will graduate with her Bachelor of Science in molecular and biomedical biology and minors in chemistry and medical humanities. She will carry the gonfalon as the marshal for the College of Arts and Sciences, a distinction that reflects her outstanding academic achievements.

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Between classes, CNA shifts at the Buffett Cancer Center, cello practice with the Nebraska Medical Orchestra, and volunteer hours with Hillcrest Hospice, Natalie Holding keeps life busy.

But she wouldn’t have it any other way.

After walking across the Baxter Arena stage in December and accepting her diploma, Holding plans to take a well-deserved break before starting medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC).

Holding has plans for a few pursuits during her upcoming break. She wants to finally record the album she’s had on the backburner for years. She wants to continue marathon training. She wants to work on her new rock-climbing skills.

How does Holding handle her many ambitions? The answer is simple: balance.

It’s a guiding principle as she preps for finals and plans her next few years as a medical student, and it’s something that she’s followed her last four years as a UNO student.

Her balanced approach extends to her personal life, but also her professional outlook. As she prepares to embark on the rigors of medical school, she plans to use this philosophy to keep her afloat as she takes on her classes and begins to work with patients.

“You can't take care of other people very well if you don't know how to take care of yourself,” Holding said.

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Holding has always had her sights set on adding “MD” behind her name – in fact, it's one of the main reasons why she chose UNO. The campus proximity to her dream medical school, UNMC, was a major selling point.

From day one, UNO’s close connection with the medical center helped Holding familiarize herself with the UNMC community and build meaningful professional relationships. Through programs like the Summer Health Professions Education Program and Summer Undergraduate Research Program, she had the opportunity to work and learn from the center’s esteemed faculty.

Holding’s dedication to medicine goes beyond the classroom and into the clinic – she has her CNA license and balances her studies while working at UNMC’s Buffett Cancer Center. This position provides her with the valuable opportunity to strengthen her patient-facing skills and gain experience as a member of a medical team.

“Being a CNA is as direct as it can get,” Holding said. “You help people in their weakest, most challenging moments.”

During her time at UNO, Holding also connected with members of the medical community on a personal level through the Nebraska Medical Orchestra, where she plays cello alongside medical students, residents, and healthcare providers.

In the breaks between musical pieces, Holding and her orchestra counterparts can’t help but chat about science, or check in on her academic progress.

“We're all creating the music together knowing that everyone around you... their goal is to help patients,” Holding said.

In this unique blend of musicians and medicine, Holding has found a community of like-minded health professionals affiliated with the medical school she will soon call home.

Along with making musical connections with her orchestra cohorts, Holding also provides harmonic healing through her hospice care volunteer work. As a hospice volunteer, she meets weekly with patients receiving care. Sometimes she’ll play them ukulele, or they’ll sit and chat, or paint one another’s nails. Sometimes her volunteer shifts just consist of sitting with them as they sleep – ensuring that no person dies alone.

“I've always believed that music can be very healing for people.” Holding said. “I know it's healing for me... I just wanted to provide that for more people.”

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The road to medical school once felt like a long, distant journey. Now, it’s just a short path away.

Soon, Holding be the first member of her family to complete college in the United States. She'll be in medical school, spending her days immersed in lectures, labs and rotations. She will meet new friends, make new colleagues, and help better the lives of new patients.

But she’ll never forget UNO.

“It’s just special here.” Holding said.