Nearly 2,000 miles east from the Tivoli, the Lynx spirit lives on in Scott Cao. Receiving his undergraduate degree in biology in 2017, Scott was the grateful recipient of eight scholarships during his time at CU Denver—many of which have alleviated the financial burden of medical school. 

In 2013, Scott was a curious freshman at CU Denver, teetering between economics and healthcare until he made the bold decision to "try something new," deciding on anesthesiology. But this pivotal decision landed him in a precarious position: at the time Scott was studying honors biology, Colorado’ spending on higher education was roughly half the national average, rendering college unaffordable for many. As an out-of-state student, Scott faced even higher tuition costs and was expected to take on student loans to cover them. But not before taking another risk.

Already involved in Student Government, as well as the University Honors and Leadership Program, Scott still had a taste for adventure and hope for financial support when he walked into the Experiential Learning Center and received a life-changing opportunity: a generous scholarship that connected him with "hot spotters" in the healthcare system—patients of lower socioeconomic status who utilize the Emergency Room frequently. Scott was grateful to guide people in need into the healthcare system, aiding in housing, medical care, and medical insurance. He wrote about his experiences in his medical school application to CU Anschutz, and there received the Justina Ford Scholarship Dedicated to the Underserved, which provides nearly a full ride for medical school.  As with many students, receiving such a scholarship allowed Scott to pursue his dream and graduate with little student debt.

The Spirit of Collaboration

Beyond scholarships, Scott credits CU Denver's culture—"the essence of collaboration and the ability to work with people," as he describes it—in supporting his journey, which ultimately led him to Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, where he is currently completing his residency in anesthesiology. "In medicine, we often feel like we are by ourselves—doctors have to know everything and do everything, developing a massive ego," he chuckles. "The contemporary sense of being a doctor means you work alone with all sorts of people: people with different training, people with different perspectives from different health systems—ultimately taking better care of patients. CU Denver taught me the spirit of collaboration."

Indeed, CU Denver's spirit of collaboration, whether in alleviating student finances or imparting values, was instrumental in Scott’s ability to choose his career. “People feel like they have to be certain things so that they can pay off their medical loans—for me, I could choose what I wanted to do. I didn't have to factor in how much money I would make and how fast I could pay back my loans,” he explains, adding, “I got to choose a destination in a city I wanted to go to, which was Boston." 

Planting Seeds for the Future

Today, Scott reflects on his experiences at CU Denver with a Greek proverb in mind: “A society grows great when old men plant trees in whose shade they shall never sit." Scott was among the students who led the effort to build the Lola & Rob Salazar Student Wellness Center at CU Denver. This landmark facility in the heart of the campus, which opened in 2018, provides a place for students to work out, swim, rock climb, dance, and build community among many other activities. Along with the Student Government Association at the time, Scott was a prominent advocate for the center despite that fact that he wouldn’t benefit from it until after his graduation. He sees planting a seed like this similar to the impact of scholarships. "I benefited a lot from the scholarships I received, and I want others to have the same experience," he says.

With only a year left in his residency, Scott is on track to become an anesthesiologist in 2025, and with this goal now within reach, he gives thanks to those who supported him along the way. "The scholarships I received have been instrumental in my development and where I am today," he says. "Scholarships, regardless of the amount, have sentimental value. It feels good because you've accomplished something. You get recognition for what you did."