An unexpected health scare at the age of 21 ultimately led Thomas Martin of Bethpage to a medical career that was launched Thursday with his graduation from Hofstra University’s Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies.
“It’s a mix of emotions — excited for sure, a little anxious, but we made it. We are here. We are across the finish line,” said Martin, 30, who graduated with a masters of science in Physician Assistant Studies and was one of about 600 students who earned their degrees at Hofstra University’s winter commencement Thursday.
Earlier in the day, Martin participated in the white coat ceremony at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse on campus. The ceremony is a rite of passage for physician assistant students as they transition to their careers. He received his white coat and joined his classmates in taking the professional oath for his career.
Thomas Martin receives his traditional white coat during the winter commencement ceremony at Hofstra University, in Hempstead on Thursday.. Credit: Howard Schnapp
And he won an unexpected honor when Hofstra officials presented him with the “Shining Star” award for his accomplishments and work ethic while in the nearly three-year program.
“I did not know that that was coming, but it was humbling and made me tear up a little bit for sure,” he said.
He was joined by his fiance, Vanessa Carlson, and three children, Isabella, 8, Lucas, 4, and Mya, 19 months.
It had been a long time getting to this moment, and he was thrilled to be there.
After graduating from Bethpage High School in 2011, Martin joined the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California. He was deployed in the Marine expeditionary unit and spent nine months traveling to ports worldwide.
When his tour ended, he returned to Bethpage and started to work as a transporter at St. Francis Hospital, where he would take patients to different tests within the hospital. One afternoon about nine years ago, he…
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