Since graduating in 2025 from Dickinson State University, Galen Brantley has been pursuing his dream of becoming a doctor as a medical student at the University of North Dakota.
Originally from Soldotna, Alaska, Brantley was recruited by Coach Stanton to play football for Dickinson State. “He had built a great relationship with me throughout that process,” he said.
He also had a personal connection to DSU through his high school football coach, a former Blue Hawk who gave him helpful insight into the program. “I couldn’t see myself going anywhere else,” Brantley said.
While at Dickinson State, Brantley double-majored in biology and chemistry and was a key member of both the football and track teams. Through it all, he valued the friendships and connections he built on campus.
Brantley came to DSU knowing he wanted to pursue medicine, starting on a pre-med track. “I wanted to be able to help people, and medicine was a field where I felt I would be able to have the biggest impact on others,” he explained. “The process of getting into medical school can be very difficult, but I had a lot of help from faculty and academic advisors to prepare me for my application and interviews.”
Now halfway through his first year at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine, he finds the most rewarding part is seeing the impact physicians can have on their patients. “The hope that I can have this impact on people's lives someday is what keeps me motivated in medical school,” he said.
Looking ahead, Brantley hopes to become a pediatrician and work in a rural community. “I think there is a lot of value in being able to bring care to an underserved community, and I love working with children,” he said.
When reflecting on how his time at DSU prepared him for where he is today, Brantley shared that the experience helped him mature and develop the work ethic that continues to guide him.
“As a two-sport athlete at DSU, I learned how to juggle responsibilities both in the classroom and on the field. DSU taught me how to work, take criticism, set goals and achieve them. I believe these skills are important in any field, but they have been very impactful for me as a medical student,” he said.
With the same determination that defined his time as a Blue Hawk, Brantley is well on his way to making a lasting impact in the field of medicine.