Riley Burghart, Nurse Anesthesia, Class of 2026
I think we all have moments in our lives, myself included, where we are constantly running around chasing our dreams thinking, “If I can just get/do/be this, THEN I’ll be content.” Working as an ICU nurse, I learned very quickly that many individuals do not ever slow down to be grateful for the small blessings they have until those blessings are taken away. Though these thoughts are part of the human condition, I challenge you to change your mindset. There will always be more things to do, be, and achieve. But you only have one “today.”
The reality is, that you do not necessarily have tomorrow, next week, or next month – but you do have the blessing of today. This piece represents me making a conscious effort to stop chasing the future and delight in the present. With dreams of operating my own ranch or wildlife rehabilitation center, I know these goals are far off considering the sacrifices I have to make in life currently to pursue my dream of providing medical services to rural Kansas. This homemade barn quilt was made to remind me that my passion for rural Kansas does not have to wait, but that it simply is an opportunity I get to work towards every day.
Med Intima 