He thought he'd never make it. Now he's class president.

Meet Alexander Dymond 

Growing up in Southeast Michigan, medical student Alexander (Alex) Dymond had a strong role model in his grandmother. 

"Some of my earliest memories of my grandmother involve her working and volunteering in our local church and with disadvantaged communities," Alex says. 

Alex dreamed of following in her footsteps. He envisioned himself helping people in his local community by becoming a doctor. Unfortunately, that goal moved farther beyond reach the older he got. 

After high school, Alex found himself at an impasse. Attending a traditional 4-year college would only add to his family's already substantial health and financial burdens. He saw himself walking a different path. 

His grandfather and his older brother had both served in the United States Marine Corps. Alex felt beyond proud to follow in their footsteps and find out where his own military journey would take him. 

Fun Fact: Alex is a free-diving enthusiast. His longest dive so far was 136 feet. (He did it near the Sea Tiger shipwreck in Hawaiʻi.) 

The Military Provides a Path to Medicine 

Life as a U.S. Marine proved enriching in multiple ways. 

"It was my first time, as a young man, being exposed to true responsibility," Alex says. "I had to take charge of situations and lead other individuals in everything from daily activities to tactical operations." 

Every challenge Alex overcame as a Marine helped him appreciate his own strengths and potential. He was more capable than he'd ever imagined. 

"I reconsidered the obstacles I'd once believed to be insurmountable," he says. "I decided they might not be so hard to get past after all." 

While serving in the Philippines, Alex decided it was time to push through the obstacles standing between him and a career in medicine. 

Reconnecting with a Lifelong Dream 

Alex was deployed to the Philippines during a time of devastating socio-political conflict. The atrocities he witnessed—including life-threatening health inequities—had a profound impact. 

"What we saw as an aftershock of this conflict was a huge gap in healthcare and accessibility for the people in the affected communities." 

The local populations reminded Alex of groups he'd left back home in Michigan. They too lacked access to quality care. They too would be devastated under the same circumstances.

He wanted to do whatever he could to help. 

"This reality ignited a sense of urgency in me," Alex says. 

Alex made up his mind, then and there, to leave the military and pursue his calling in medicine. It was time to apply to medical school. 

Finding His Way to Medical School and Community 

Pursuing medical school felt like such a big leap, Alex could hardly believe he got invited to interview at his top-choice school. 

"UCLA was more of a dream school for me," he explains. "When I got that first interview invitation, I was over the moon." 

The good news continued from there. Alex soon learned he'd be pursuing his dream at his dream school, the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (DGSOM). 

Attending admitted students’ weekend, he spoke to six other veterans, a population traditionally underrepresented in medicine. Finding and connecting with so many people who shared his military experiences made Alex feel completely at home—in a place so far away from home. 

"After that weekend, I couldn't see myself going anywhere else." 

The connection Alex felt during admitted students weekend deepened after he officially started med school. In fact, his 2028 cohort elected him class president. 

"As class president, my priority is making sure each student has a voice."

Alex may be eager to start his future as a physician working to improve health equity and accessibility, but for now, he's beyond grateful for his life as a med student. 

He loves living in Southern California, enjoying the sun and all the diversity of activity, foods, and experiences Los Angeles offers. Most of all, he loves his DGSOM community. 

"My favorite thing about being here so far is the people, my cohort, the class of 2028," he says. "They're going to be some of my best friends for the rest of my life."