When Brayden Surface answered his phone during a typical day on campus, years of preparation suddenly paid off.
Sitting at Bluefield University beside his fiancée, Brayden received the call every pre-health student hopes for. He had been accepted into the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) program at the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM).
“It was one of the most gratifying moments of my life,” Brayden said. “I felt all my hard work pay off in a single phone call.”
Brayden is a senior at Bluefield University who majors in Biology, specializes in Pre-Health, and plays on the men’s golf team. He is a graduate of Graham High and a lifelong resident of Bluefield.
“Living here, you learn that everyone knows everyone, and most everyone wants you to succeed,” he shared. “I have had numerous families and coaches make sacrifices that have allowed me to continue chasing whatever dream I have. Growing up here has made me love my neighbors and care for those who need help.”
Ending high school with a community mindset and a love for science, Brayden was eager to go into the medical field like much of his family. He believed Bluefield’s Pre-Health program was his “best chance to continue” in his career and found several reasons to love BU.
“First, I was offered a golf scholarship that allowed me to continue playing the sport I love. Second, the affordability of BU made it an eye catcher to try and save money in the long term. Finally, I loved the atmosphere that both the students and faculty created when I was on my tour to BU,” Brayden explained.
His undergraduate years have been marked by professors, coaches, and mentors in the medical field challenging and supporting him. Since enrolling in the fall of 2022, Brayden has excelled in the classroom, shadowed two surgeons, and made significant moves on the golf course.
He placed third at the East Tennessee Collegiate in 2023, was the top golfer at the Big Cats Collegiate in 2024, and competed on the first-place team at the Fincastle Intercollegiate in 2025.
“BU’s golf program is nothing but exceptional,” Brayden said. “With an outstanding coach, Coach Sawyers, who cares for each player and truly wants the best out of everyone, it is easy to stay motivated to perform well. The team environment of the program is by far the best I’ve ever seen, which plays an important role in success. The program continues to improve, and I think the future is bright.”
On and off the course, Brayden has had an “amazing” time at BU, he said. “I was able to meet so many new people who have had a major impact in my life, as well as learn everything I needed to know to continue my education in medicine,” he added.
Now finishing his Pre-Health degree, Brayden is eager to begin the DO program at his “dream school,” VCOM-Virginia in Blacksburg.
“There were many things that drew me to the program,” he explained. “First, the area in which VCOM-Virginia is located is one that I love. Second, the program is known to be one of the top osteopathic medicine programs in the country with some of the best residency matches. Lastly, when I toured the campus, both the facilities and the people were amazing. Everyone seemed extremely nice, and the facilities were state-of-the-art.”
After earning his graduate degree, Brayden hopes to complete a residency and become an attending physician. “Right now, I am interested in becoming some type of physician in the surgical suite of a hospital,” he shared, “like a surgeon or anesthesiologist.”
“If I had to give advice to someone from this area wanting to pursue this career, I would say that Bluefield University has every tool you need to be successful,” Brayden said. “While this path requires a lot of self-discipline and hard work, the people at Bluefield University are there to help you along the journey.”
“The biology department at BU is more than enough to prepare you to compete against students nationwide so long as you do your part. Specifically, members of the biology department, such as Dr. Emily Lambert, are well-suited to help guide you through the process and get you to where you want to go,” he added.