Even though Dr. Nicholas Sevey grew up around nurses, his career as a physician took a circuitous detour to where it is today. His focus on science in college intersected with tutoring, leading him to teaching. But after a few years, something pulled him back to medicine, his true calling.

Nicholas Sevey, M.D.

What the Smith Award means: I have trained alongside incredible peers who set the bar high, sought input from a cherished set of mentors and advisers who truly have my best interests at heart, and learned from some of the best residents, fellows, faculty, and providers that medicine has to offer. To be recognized among them by this award is a huge and unexpected honor.

Smith Award mentor comment: Prior to matriculating in medical school, Nicholas “Nick” Sevey earned a master’s in teaching and worked at Teach for America as well as at a low-income high school in Dallas. His advanced communication skills, honed through years of educating young minds, proved invaluable in connecting with patients and their families. He has used his background in education to become a leader in our community and on our campus. – Stephanie Brinker, M.D., Associate Professor of Internal Medicine

What the Pediatric Award means: Despite working with kids in the past, I didn’t expect to enjoy the rotation as much as I did. Two years later, it’s now hard to believe I ever doubted a career in pediatrics to begin with. I owe this award to all the kids I’ve worked with before and during medical school, and to all the pediatricians, mentors, and advisers who supported and encouraged me along the way.

Pediatric Award mentor comment: Nick is the epitome of what a trainee in Med-Peds should be – mature beyond his years, with profound lived experience, a solid grounding in biology, and a focused vision for merging clinical medicine with social determinants of health to improve patient outcomes. His work with high-risk youth speaks to his adaptability and dedication to serving vulnerable populations. – Soumya Adhikari, M.D., Associate Professor of Pediatrics

Background and family: I was born in Austin, Texas, but grew up in Coahoma, a rural West Texas town. I was raised by my parents, a psychiatric nurse and a farmer turned roadway maintenance manager, along with an older brother and a huge extended family. This upbringing gave me access to a variety of experiences – from riding tractors and chasing animals on the farm to hearing all sorts of stories from a family in health care.

What led to your career path: Growing up in a family full of nurses, I was exposed to health care at a young age. Despite this exposure, I didn’t fully embrace pursuing medicine until high school, upon recognizing my interest in science and learning how the human body works. My passion for medicine then continued to grow through shadowing and volunteering. After college, I took what I thought would be a two-year detour through education as a science teacher in the Bronx, but I fell in love with teaching, ultimately deciding to continue teaching for an additional two years as a high school biology teacher in the Dallas Independent School District. I then made the bittersweet decision to leave the classroom, enroll in the medical science program at the University of North Texas, and finally start the medical school application process that led me to UTSW.

College: I graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with degrees in biology and psychology. I was very involved in mentoring and tutoring with the Texas Interdisciplinary Plan Scholars and University Leadership Network, the latter of which selected me as Mentor of the Year. After graduating, I joined Teach for America as a middle school science teacher in the South Bronx while simultaneously earning a master’s degree in education at Fordham University.

UTSW activities: I led several educational sessions with the Science Teacher Access to Resources at Southwestern (STARS) program and mentored 10^th graders through the Health Professions Recruitment and Exposure Program (HPREP). I was also co-Vice President of Education for Project Momentum, a student-run group that provides health literacy sessions for justice-involved youth in Dallas. I helped administer vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic and volunteered with the Agape Multidisciplinary Clinic. Lastly, I pursued multiple research projects. This included drafting academic papers on elder mistreatment, designing simulation-based curriculum, and investigating topics in pediatric residency.

Surprising fact: Through middle school and high school, I served as the pianist at my small church each Sunday. I also played the trumpet, dabbled in guitar, and was captain of the school drumline in high school.

Future plans: I plan to combine my passion for medicine with my love of education through a career in Med-Peds, starting my residency right here at UT Southwestern. I hope to continue addressing health disparities across the life span while teaching others to do the same. Additionally, I hope to practice inpatient medicine, where I can help take care of people and their families during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

About the awards: The Dr. Richard Mays Smith Award is given annually to one or more graduating medical students who excel academically during clinical rotations and exhibit an interest in and compassion for patients. The Pediatric Society Award recognizes an outstanding graduate who has the personal character and dedication to serve children, as well as be an advocate for them.