With a medical degree and a master’s in business administration, Scott Giberson aims to transform healthcare systems while making a meaningful difference for children and their families.
Scott Giberson, a 28-year-old from Austin, Texas, didn’t always aspire to be in medicine. For much of his time in college, he wasn’t sure what he wanted to do.
After facing his own injuries as a high school athlete and seeing his grandparents struggle in the healthcare system, Giberson knew the power and harm healthcare could bring, but wasn’t sure it was the right fit for him.
“I was able to see the positive impacts that physicians can have on their patient’s lives,” stated Giberson. “But I also saw my mixed-race family members navigate a healthcare system that left them feeling diminished and unheard.”
In college, Giberson studied psychology and Spanish at Texas Christian University and gained some medical experience working at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Giberson decided to pursue a meaningful career in medicine around his junior year, aiming to make an impact on as many lives as possible.
“I realized that I wanted to use the skills and abilities I’ve been gifted with in a way that impacts the most people possible at the deepest level possible,” said Giberson. “I later recognized that medicine is what tied it all together for me.”
The next step in Giberson’s career journey will take him to the “Windy City” for a pediatrics residency at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago at Northwestern University, where he aims to be a positive influence on the lives of children and their families.
From the Lone Star State to the Tar Heel State
Giberson had a few conditions when applying to medical school: he wanted to get the best clinical training, receive excellent financial aid support, and to be surrounded by a fun and positive community.
Giberson and his wife, Kayla, who was applying to law schools, jointly agreed that the University of North Carolina was the best fit. In 2021, Giberson was accepted to both the MD and the MBA programs at the UNC School of Medicine and Kenan-Flagler Business School.
“Being in the clinical setting, I saw a lot of the disconnects between healthcare providers and the people running the health systems because they seemed to speak two different languages,” said Giberson. “I wanted to be able to speak both languages, advocate for patients and healthcare workers, and help the system work better for all of them.”
In the program, Giberson learned about the many ways that healthcare and business overlap and was exposed to new jobs, industries, and people. He also met a number of mentors that made a large impact on him personally and professionally, including Wesley Burks, MD, a pediatric allergist who served as CEO of UNC Health and Dean of the School of Medicine for seven years.
An Unexpected Interest in Pediatrics
Like many medical students, Giberson wasn’t certain which specialty to choose, so he remained open-minded. He briefly considered orthopedic surgery, but his experiences with research and clinical rotations didn’t ignite much enthusiasm.
His perspective shifted during a particularly demanding day in his inpatient pediatric rotation at WakeMed’s Raleigh campus. That day, he assisted with several complex pediatric cases and was at the hospital for fifteen hours.
When Giberson returned home, his wife expected him to be worn out and stressed, yet he felt quite the opposite—he was invigorated.
“It was kind of a light bulb for me,” stated Giberson. “I feel differently doing this every day than I did doing anything else. I explored that more and realized I love being able to care for the kids and having conversations with parents. In a way, I could help care for the whole family.”
What’s Next
Giberson submitted applications to pediatric residencies across the nation. On Match Day 2026, the day when hopeful medical students find out where they matched into residency, he learned that he matched at Northwestern University’s esteemed pediatrics residency program.
Giberson’s next step in his medical career reflects a return to his roots, as he is now positioned to provide pediatric care and mentorship that benefited him during his time in college, medical school, and business school.
“There’s research on the impact that just having one positive adult influence in your life can do for kids. And I think being able to be that positive adult, even if it’s for a day in the hospital, is incredibly meaningful and an honor.”
Media contact: Kendall Rovinsky, Communications Specialist, UNC Health | UNC School of Medicine