Homegrown Ambition

Growing up in Thompson, N.D., Carson Herbert never imagined just how far an interest in science — and dissecting frogs in high school anatomy class — would take him.

But even then, he felt a pull toward a future in medicine.

“Science classes were always my favorite,” he said. “When I took anatomy junior year, that’s kind of when I decided that medicine was really the one, I loved it.” 

Now in his final year of medical school at the University of North Dakota, Carson is applying to surgical residency programs as he works toward his ultimate goal: becoming a pediatric surgeon. 

His interest in pediatric surgery is rooted in both the personal and the practical.

“One of my cousins was born with a congenital heart deformity,” he said. “So, he had to have surgery when he was just a couple months old. That was kind of one of the driving forces.” 

But Carson’s passion for caring for children goes further than family ties.

“I’ve always really enjoyed working with kids and get along really well with kids,” he said. “And I like the opportunity to be an advocate for them, especially for the younger ones who don’t always have a voice.” 

Growing up so close to UND and attending hockey games and community events, Carson said choosing UND “was always number one” for his undergraduate degree.  And when it came time to choose a medical school, the decision was just as clear. The tight-knit community that UND offers, both personally and academically, made all the difference.

“It’s big enough to give you all the opportunities you need, but small enough where all of my professors and faculty know who I am,” he said. “They’ve been able to give me the opportunities I need to be successful.” 

Those personal connections didn’t just support Carson’s goals; they helped cement his decision to go into surgery. 

“There’s a stereotypical surgeon, but that is not something I’ve experienced at UND at all,” he said. “My surgical preceptors were some of the most welcoming and most willing to teach that I’ve encountered.” 

That mentorship, combined with UND’s clinical training model, has prepared him exceptionally well. “UND has a very solid reputation for producing very clinically advanced medical students,” he said. “Because we get a lot of that one-on-one interaction with preceptors, we’re pretty advanced when it comes to patient care.” 

I love the people here, and UND has been home for eight years.

Carson’s connection to North Dakota also goes deeper than proximity; it influences how he sees his role in medicine and in UND’s mission. As someone who grew up in a small town and is the first in his family to pursue a medical career, he understands the challenges other students from small communities may face. 

Serving on the UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences admissions committee, he often sees himself in the applicants he meets.

“I really like seeing applicants who come from North Dakota and being able to support them,” he said. He understands the challenges that come with attending a small school, and he advocates strongly for students who share those experiences. 

Carson has taken active roles in recruitment, student support, leadership and peer teaching. He sees these efforts as a natural extension of what UND stands for: community.

“I wholeheartedly believe in the team aspect of medicine,” he said. “We all function together when we understand and share a common goal.” 

The state’s shortage of pediatric surgeons also deeply motivates Carson. “There are only three pediatric surgeons in the state, and they are all in Fargo,” he said. He’s already thinking about how he can help close that gap through outreach, education and expanding access to care across rural communities in the state. 

But at the heart of Carson’s journey is a simple truth: he wants to give back to the community that has raised him and the university that has shaped him. 

“I love the people here, and UND has been home for eight years.” Carson hopes to carry forward the mentorship, compassion and community spirit he found at UND, and one day pass it on to the students who follow in his footsteps.