Voices Ringing Blog /

Most high school students take their first classes on campus at the start of their freshman year, but Cameron Neidhard ‘21 began his Carroll courses while he was enrolled as a 7th grader at St. Helen Catholic School. “I remember the people always being wonderful, really compassionate, and being willing to collaborate,” recalled Neidhard. “You don’t see that in a lot of places.” Little did he know that his attention to personal encounters would influence his path into the medical field years later.

Once Cameron was on campus full-time as a high schooler himself, he immersed himself in rigorous academics with teachers, like Mrs. Laurie Fuhr and Mr. Chris Sorrell ‘83, who encouraged Cameron to “not just grasp concepts but understand the greater implications and what they mean for the human condition.” Cameron’s AP Biology and AP Chemistry courses allowed him to gain both concept mastery and a vision for how those fields can assist and serve others. The service aspect appealed to Cameron and ultimately helped him decide to pursue the medical field. “I’ve always thought that science is an important part of who I am,” Neidhard said. “Giving myself to the community in whatever way that entails is something that’s incredibly important.”

Cameron graduated from Carroll in 2021 as a valedictorian, Trinity House captain, and recipient of the Joseph R. Sens Award for Commitment to the Carroll Community, along with many other awards, honors, and accolades. He went on to the University of Notre Dame to pursue a degree in Biochemistry with a concentration in Neuroscience and a minor in Compassionate Care in Medicine- a program that most universities do not offer until much later in medical school and/or a residency program. Through this unique minor, Cameron has had the opportunity to strengthen his commitment to being a compassionate, Catholic physician who sees patients not as a series of symptoms, but rather as humans with dignity.

While at Notre Dame, Cameron has had many opportunities to make deeper connections with individuals through faith and career-related service opportunities. In the summer between his sophomore and junior year, Cameron spent eight weeks living in different parishes operated by Notre Dame’s Congregation of the Holy Cross throughout Bangladesh, a densely populated country that faces substantial poverty. There, he volunteered to practice communication with English-learning, Bangladeshi students.

Cameron also served in clinics run by the Sisters of the Holy Cross during his time abroad. Whether he was restocking supplies, changing dressings, or simply sitting with patients, Cameron learned valuable lessons that he plans on taking with him as he begins his medical career. “The essential aspect of all of this service is being present,” Cameron emphasized, “I can’t cure poverty… but what I can do is be present for other individuals.”

The following summer, Cameron once again spent his break from college away from home in Gainsville, Texas as a camp counselor at Camp Sweeney, a youth summer camp for children navigating Type 1 diabetes. The experience, which Cameron called both “incredibly amazing” and “probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” sometimes required 20-hour work days in order to provide the campers with “a little piece of heaven.” Camp counselors monitored campers’ blood sugar levels, planned meals, and provided fun activities for campers so that they did not have to worry about navigating their disease.

“It was a really great clinical experience. But, what really appealed to me about it was that it wasn’t just ‘curing symptoms’. I get to interact with (a camper) as a person and get to make jokes with you.” His time at Camp Sweeney was so impactful that Cameron is considering pursuing a concentration in endocrinology in his medical future.

Neidhard found many programs and service opportunities on campus as well. He has participated in the Best Buddies program, an organization that allows individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to both enjoy judgment-free, fun events and build personal relationships with a Notre Dame student. Cameron has enjoyed biweekly connections with his buddy, Matt. “He’s one of the most wonderful people I know,” said Cameron.

He also has made deep connections with his peers on campus through residence hall life. He is finishing out his senior year as a Resident Assistant in Dillon Hall. Here, Cameron has practiced being present to his peers through mentorship, event programming, and leading his hall to attend “Milkshake Mass” and other weekly masses offered on campus.

After graduation, Cameron will attend the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “Northwestern was a place where I felt I could take that next step of not just being a competent physician but also being a compassionate physician.” He is looking forward to working with his fellow Northwestern medical students, including the students affiliated with the Catholic Medical Association.

When asked about his hopes for his future, it could be easily assumed that he would want to discuss academic and career goals, given his many accomplishments. Neidhard, however, discussed his hopes to continue the strong Catholic faith life he has developed, especially through his Catholic schooling. “I’m incredibly grateful in general for having had the opportunity to go to both Carroll and Notre Dame. I don’t think I’d be even close to the person that I am today without having been able to go to both of these institutions.”

Cameron is incredibly grateful for his supportive family, especially his parents Alex Neidhard ‘97 and Christina (Connally) Neidhard ’98, who did not push him to go into medicine but rather encouraged him to be the best version of himself. He is relying on them and his faith in Christ to keep him focused on his ultimate goal. “I don’t want to lose sight of why I’m entering medicine, which is not for personal gain or to glorify myself… But rather, it’s to serve other people in a genuine way and to be present with others.”