Christopher Nguyen, OMS IV, has been named the 2025 Student Doctor of the Year for the Lincoln Memorial University-DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine (LMU-DCOM) Knoxville campus. This prestigious award recognizes Nguyen’s outstanding academic achievements, leadership and dedication to serving others.
Nguyen’s journey into medicine began in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where he was raised by Vietnamese-American immigrant parents who instilled in him the value of service. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Old Dominion University, finishing a year early and diving into his passion for medicine by looking for ways to help underserved communities.
“From a young age, I witnessed the profound challenges my community faced in accessing health care due to language and financial barriers,” Nguyen said. “These experiences left me feeling vulnerable, but also ignited a deep desire to shield others from similar hardships. I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to advocating for patients who are underserved, often unseen and unheard.”
Nguyen’s decision to join LMU-DCOM was driven by his search for a medical school that shared his commitment to service and recognized his potential.
“From the moment I interviewed at LMU-DCOM and met faculty like Dr. Justina Hyfantis, I knew this was a community that believed in my potential and was committed to my growth,” he said. “Their belief in me gave me the confidence to pursue this path with everything I had.”
During his time at LMU-DCOM, Nguyen has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to fostering community and well-being among his peers. He served as a Director for DCOM Strong, a student-led wellness initiative, and held several other roles including Student Ambassador, Gold Humanism Honor Society Member, peer tutor for a musculoskeletal course, Osteopathic Principles and Practice (OPP) teaching assistant and Director of Programming for the Pediatrics Club.
Beyond the campus, Nguyen co-founded the Well-Being Crew for the American Society of Anesthesiologist’s Medical Student Component and contributed to well-being initiatives nationwide. His leadership roles include Assistant Director of Institutional Memory for the Medical Student Pride Alliance and Scholar with the Area Health Education Scholars Program of East Tennessee. Nguyen also served as Chief Medical Student at the Tennova North Core Rotation Site and remains actively involved in several professional organizations.
Nguyen’s dedication to his peers and patients embodies the spirit of the Student Doctor of the Year award. Reflecting on the recognition, he shared, “Being named Student Doctor of the Year is an honor that feels almost too big to put into words. To be recognized by the people who have supported and believed in me means more than I can say. This achievement isn’t mine alone—it’s about the belief that kindness, perseverance and selflessness can pave the way for meaningful change.”
As Nguyen prepares for residency, he remains committed to advocating for underserved communities and integrating leadership and service into his medical career.
“My greatest hope is that this honor inspires others to see the beauty in their authenticity and to never stop reaching for the stars,” he said. “If I can serve as even the smallest source of light for someone else, then I will have achieved far more than any accolade could ever bring.”
Dr. Christopher Loyke, LMU-DCOM Dean and Chief Academic Officer, praised Nguyen’s achievements, stating, “Christopher Nguyen exemplifies the qualities we hope to see in all our student doctors: leadership, compassion, and a steadfast commitment to serving others. His dedication to his peers and the broader community is truly inspiring, and this recognition is well-deserved. We are proud to have him represent LMU-DCOM.”
LMU-DCOM congratulates Christopher Nguyen on this accolade and celebrates his contributions to the LMU community and beyond.
The DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine is located on the campus of Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, and at LMU-Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee. LMU-DCOM is an integral part of LMU’s values-based learning community and is dedicated to preparing the next generation of osteopathic physicians to provide health care in the often-underserved region of Appalachia and beyond. For more information about LMU-DCOM, call 1.800.325.0900, ext. 7082, email dcom@LMUnet.edu, or visit us online at http://med.LMUnet.edu.
