The ’14 14: Med school classmates make Bryan their home
After completing his residency and fellowship at The Ohio State University, Grant Wallace, MD, wasn’t sure about his next move. He strongly considered staying in Ohio to begin his career in cardiology and electrophysiology, but he also looked around his home state of Nebraska for opportunities.
Some of his best friends from his time at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, Jeremy Hosein, MD, and Rajeev Anchan, MD, were among those who convinced him to choose Bryan Health. As of February 2025, 14 classmates from that same 2014 medical school graduating class call Bryan home.
The other 11 “'14 14” medical school mates are Drs. Meghen and Michael Bokemper, Thomas Brush, Bryce Hansen, Matthew Maslonka, Logan McGuffey, Adam Rasmussen, Ryan Santin, Erin Schmitz, Kelsey Shaver and Quinn Willet.
“Nebraska has a way of bringing you back,” Dr. Maslonka said. “Most of us went out to different academic institutions across the nation, and then to have everybody back working together 10 years later is kind of surreal. It speaks volumes about Bryan’s ability to attract people from all kinds of specialties and get them under one roof.”
Drs. Anchan and Wallace remember meeting on the first day of anatomy lab in med school. For the next three months, they worked in the same group and formed a bond.
Dr. Wallace said he still stays in touch with his close friends from med school, and he is glad to have some of them with him at Bryan. The nature of medical school leads to strong bonds, he said, as everybody is going through the same exhausting workloads.
“There’s a bit of a shared trauma experience,” Dr. Wallace said. “You got this group of around 120 people who are all going through the same things. It creates this bond that is just different from anything else.”
The physicians remembered the relief of finishing their rigorous tests, which would occur on Saturdays. As they put down their pencils and walked out the door, they were handed a large packet of the next round of material they would have to start learning on Monday. Until then, though, they were free to unwind, which they often did in groups.
“It was so overwhelming most of the time on those tests, but there were so many memories that came from going out afterward and celebrating together,” Dr. Shaver said.
At last year’s 10-year reunion, many of the class members got together to reminisce about their days at UNMC and reflect on their differing paths. For the 14 classmates now at Bryan, they said it’s nice to see familiar faces around the system, even if they don’t directly work with each other.
“You just pick up where you left off,” Dr. Wallace said. “It’s been a decade, and it feels like nothing has changed except some of us are married and have kids. The connection is still the same.”
Dr. Anchan similarly left Nebraska after graduation, pursuing his fellowship at University of Chicago Medical Center. After completing his training, he realized he wanted to be closer to family and work in a supportive environment and familiar community. Bryan Health provided him with this opportunity.
Bryan is a place where many people have returned to work together. You’re not just off on your own—there’s a real sense of collaboration. Having several former classmates here creates a strong bond. We trained together, developed a broad variety of expertise, but ultimately we enjoy working together and it makes Bryan an exciting place to be.
— Rajeev Anchan, MD
Many factors have contributed to recruiting these physicians and convincing them to stay – including Bryan’s goal to stay proactive on emerging treatments and include physicians in system decisions.
“Especially during the pandemic, Bryan was an institution that constantly was asking us for input,” said Dr. Maslonka, who joined Bryan weeks before COVID hit Lincoln. “Leadership was boots-on-the ground, they were with us every day. It was that time that really showed me the integrity of this place.”
Today, the 14 classmates see each other from time to time in the hallways of Bryan facilities. When they do, they reflect on their time in medical school and their divergent paths that led them all to the same destination.
“Whether it’s from the healthcare system or just the community at large, the relationships are very positive,” Dr. Wallace said. “We’re able to provide high-quality care in a way that is keeping with our goals and values. It’s a rewarding place to work.”
Class composite photo from the 2014 University of Nebraska College of Medicine featuring the '14 14 is courtesy of Matthew Maslonka, MD.
