Dr. Chase Shropshire

It is not uncommon for medical school graduates to immediately punctuate their recitation of the hippocratic oath with this phrase: “I can’t believe I did it!”

Usually, this is nothing more than a spontaneous exhale of relief and pride. Sometimes, though, there's some genuine astonishment as they officially append M.D. to their name  — as in, “How in the world did this happen?”

When might the latter emotion bubble to the surface? Oh, let’s just say for instance when a new doctor reflects on growing up in a rural town as the child of parents of modest means — devoutly religious parents whose faith strongly discouraged the pursuit of higher education. Parents who parted ways when the new doctor was at an impressionable age — a normally traumatizing experience that actually turned out to be a future-paving blessing.

Or, say, when a new doctor looks back on a meandering academic journey that never had “medical school” as an end point until well into his undergraduate studies. An academic journey that included: not studying for one college preparatory test; completely blowing off another; entering community college just to "avoid complacency"; and finally landing at a four-year university, only to spend an aimless first year hoping to find a life calling.

These, of course, are purely hypothetical examples … except they’re not. 

Rather, this is a condensed version of the real life story of Dr. Chase Shropshire, 2015 UNLV biology graduate, member of the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine’s charter class, and first-ever recipient of the school's Alumni of the Year honor.

It’s a life story so inconceivable that upon hearing it, one can’t help but express the same emotion Shropshire surely did the day he received his medical degree in 2021:

How in the world did this happen?

Given that Chase Shropshire never would’ve become Dr. Chase Shropshire without first believing that a career in medicine was viable, it’s probably best to start with his “Aha!” moment.

Turns out Shropshire experienced his epiphany not during his formative years growing up in rural Pahrump, Nevada, or after he left the religion in which he was raised. Rather, the light bulb flickered on when Shropshire began dating a fellow UNLV student, a biology major who had aspirations of a career in medicine.

“Her passion and dedication convinced me to look more closely at the sciences,” Shropshire says of the girlfriend who is now his wife and the mother of his two sons. “The biology, chemistry, and physics courses really represented a stark contrast to my upbringing — it was almost a rebellion against my childhood, when higher education and professional careers were discouraged.”

While his future wife’s academic pursuits certainly pointed Shropshire in the direction he ultimately traveled, he initially wasn’t interested in achieving any end goal — getting into medical school, becoming a doctor, saving lives, etc.

He simply wanted to prove “to myself and my past” that he was up to the challenge that comes with being a pre-med student.

That sort of “bring it on” mentality was in direct response to a series of educational pursuits which, to that point, had left Shropshire wanting more. Because while he did, in fact, not take his college prep exams seriously — and while he was somewhat directionless through his first couple of years as a college student — Shropshire wasn’t lazy. 

On the contrary, he was a bright, motivated student but he wasn't challenged academically.

That began to change when Shropshire proceeded down the science path at UNLV. When he cleared a few difficult science-specific academic hurdles, that’s when pursuing a career in medicine became part of the grand plan. 

“It started as a tentative idea, fueled by my experiences and the encouragement of my future wife,” Shropshire says. “Over time, as I delved deeper into my studies and saw the impact that medical professionals had on people’s lives, it became a realistic and passionate pursuit.

“In short, my path toward medicine was a byproduct of my late start to self-discovery — as well as a sometimes unhealthy, but useful, unwavering determination to succeed.”

Becoming a doctor is simply one chapter in what promises to be a difference-making career. Because in addition to serving patients in practice — he’s currently completing his radiology residency with HCA Healthcare — Shropshire is committed to returning to the UNLV School of Medicine to teach and mentor future Rebel physicians.

His reasoning for diving into medical academia is two-fold: to keep abreast of modern medical advancements, and to continue building on the foundation that he helped establish as part of the school’s inaugural class.

“My experience [as a medical student] not only validated my commitment to medicine, but it’s instilled a deep sense of responsibility to uphold the values and aspirations upon which the school was built,” Shropshire says. “Being trusted to shape the legacy of the institution and set a standard of excellence for future classes wasn’t something I took lightly. 

“This journey has been about more than just personal achievement. It’s been about contributing to a collective vision, pioneering a new path in medical education, and laying the groundwork for future generations of physicians. That’s why I’m committed to carrying forward the school’s spirit of innovation and excellence.”

You didn’t develop a passion for medicine until well into your time as a UNLV undergraduate student. But as you grew up in rural Pahrump, Nevada, and began looking toward your future. Did any other profession pique your interest?

Maybe time has betrayed my memories a bit, but as a youngster growing up in a strict religious environment that discouraged college and certain careers, I don’t remember having specific academic or professional goals.

However, things really began to change around middle school when my parents split — which, among other things, really unlocked the world around me; the world was a much bigger place than I ever realized.

I give a lot of credit to my mother, Ronda, who was first to branch out of our religion when she and my father split. She started seeing the world in a new light, and I think witnessing that planted the seed for me to start having ideas of my own. Because while the religious life is fulfilling for some, I yearned for more than what my strict upbringing had provided.

Entering high school was a transformative period, perhaps more than it already should be for most. It was my first time experiencing life as a “sociable kid” — celebrating holidays, dating my first girlfriend, trying out for sports teams, and attending school dances.

After high school, I enrolled in a local community college to keep progressing but more importantly, to avoid complacency. After two semesters I realized I needed a change of scenery to fully commit to higher education. 

Though our family didn’t have the financial means to help me, my mother nonetheless was a significant mental and emotional support beam at that time. She encouraged me to follow my own path and promised to be there for me — and she was.

Eventually, I applied to UNLV and began commuting from Pahrump while working to save money for an apartment near campus. This time was both challenging and rewarding, as I balanced work and studying with the excitement of living independently for the first time.

What were your emotions when you first learned that you had been accepted into the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine as part of its charter class?

When I received the news of my scholarship, I was elated and relieved. Years of hard work had paid off, and I could now focus on my future. However, this joy was soon tempered by a mix of hesitation and confusion.

While my UNLV application remained under consideration, my then-fiancée — and now wife — was accepted to medical school in New Mexico. When that happened, I knew accepting a scholarship from UNLV — if it came through — would complicate our plans. I thought, “This prestigious opportunity promises to shape my career, but it also would mean a long-distance relationship.”

Balancing personal ambitions with our relationship was challenged both of us. But I’m proud to say we handled it with flying colors: Not only are we now married with two beautiful boys, but my wife recently became a Rebel, graduating from UNLV’s Pediatrics Residency program. She will start as an attending physician in Las Vegas this winter.

Of all the classes you took en route to earning your biology degree, which one was most impactful?

Organic chemistry was a turning point for several reasons. It introduces essential — albeit initially non-intuitive — principles and fundamental concepts about how basic molecular structures interact with each other. It reveals repeatable, and therefore predictable, patterns of how these reactions take place, which is crucial for understanding the complexity of biological systems.

Beyond that, organic chemistry had a lasting impact simply because of the challenge it presented. Not “challenge” in the sense of “difficult” — although it most definitely was. Rather, since there’s more than one way to approach the subject, I was forced to confront my learning style head-on.

I struggled with the course initially, but that turned out to be a huge positive. Because in grade school, I never had to put in the academic rigor to succeed. So this was my chance to finally learn the meaning of “There’s no free lunch”. Thanks to organic chemistry, I realized the value and importance of becoming a better learner — and what’s more, the value of having a deeper understanding of my own strengths and weaknesses.

This lesson continues to resonate  every day in my diagnostic radiology residency. In the medical field — and especially in diagnostic radiology — the ability to understand complex systems and predict outcomes based on foundational principles is invaluable.

The approach I honed in complex undergraduate classes like organic chemistry — focusing on deep understanding rather than surface memorization — helped (and still helps) me analyze and interpret my work with greater accuracy and insight.

How did you land on radiology as your preferred specialty?

I was drawn to radiology because it allows me to develop a wide range of skills. While I enjoy procedures, I didn’t want to be limited to only doing them. And while I love medicine, I didn’t want to solely work in a primary care office. Radiology offers the best of both worlds, combining procedural work with a deep engagement in medicine — with the unique aspect of imaging added to the mix.

The most compelling thing about radiology is its role as the bridge between the provider and the patient’s diagnosis. Radiologists need to understand the nuances of various specialties, know what to look for in an image, and answer critical diagnostic questions.

This makes radiologists essential for patient care, follow-up, and prognosis. The speciality truly embodies the ultimate tool belt in medicine.

In addition to being a practicing physician, you intend to return to UNLV to teach the next batch of medical school students. Why is that a goal?

Simply put, academia is where the cutting-edge of medicine thrives. Through rose-colored glasses, it’s where innovation happens and best practices are developed and incorporated. 

Teaching also offers a unique opportunity to help shape the minds of new, enthusiastic learners and to contribute to the future of medicine by fostering critical thinking, curiosity, and a commitment to excellence. By engaging in academia, I can stay at the forefront of medical advancements while also inspiring and mentoring future physicians — though admittedly it’s tough to do with a full house!

As a first-generation college student, what’s your message to teenagers who want to get a college education but don’t believe they can overcome the obstacles to make it happen?

First, it’s important to recognize that — depending on an individual’s career aspirations — a formal college education may not be the best path for everyone. A college degree is obviously essential for some fields, such as law, medicine, or education. However, for other pursuits, practical experience or vocational training might be more beneficial.

For those who are aiming for careers that require formal education, my advice is to realize that there are countless ways to achieve your goals. The key is having the discipline and determination to find the path that works best for you. Remember, too, that your greatest limiting factor is you.

On a practical level, work to develop strong people skills, and understand the power of relationships. Also, build a network of supportive mentors, peers, and professionals who can provide guidance, opportunities, and encouragement along your journey. Finally, believe in yourself, stay focused, and proactively seek out the resources and support that you will need to succeed.