Neurosurgeon-to-be Myron Rolle is a former football safety and Rhodes Scholar who was motivated to become a top brain surgeon by his experience in sports and Ben Carson, MD, according to The Washington Post.
Here are five things to know:
1. Mr. Rolle graduated from Florida State University in two-and-a-half years before studying at U.K-based Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar.
2. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL draft and retired from football in 2012, although he admits he still misses the game.
3. Regarding the correlation between football, concussions and spinal injuries, Mr. Rolle said, "I’m always thinking, how can I influence other players to have that light turn on sooner? Think about it: I had an interest in neurosurgery and still didn’t make it a priority. Can you imagine someone with no interest in the brain? What’s their level of concern?"
4. Mr. Rolle has assisted on over 200 surgeries so far and recently matched with Boston-based Massachusetts General Hospital for his residency. He will graduate from Tallahassee-based Florida State University College of Medicine in May and plans to begin his Boston residency in July.
5. His residency application included a letter of reference from Sec. Ben Carson, MD, a long-time role model of his with whom he has developed a close relationship over the years.
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