Jonathan "Jack" Ham’s journey to medicine didn’t begin in a traditional classroom. It started with a GED, a curiosity about science, and a decision to enroll at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) in 2016.

Raised in Northern Virginia, Ham wasn’t following a conventional academic path when he arrived at NOVA. Unsure of his long-term goals, he explored different subjects while completing general education courses. Everything changed when he took Anatomy and Physiology at NOVA’s Loudoun Campus with Dr. Paula Rogers.

“That class sparked my passion for medicine,” Ham said. “Dr. Rogers made science come alive for me.”

Inspired by the experience, Ham committed himself fully to his studies. After graduating from NOVA in 2019, he transferred to George Mason University, where he earned a degree in biology with a minor in bioengineering.

On May 17, Ham graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine as a Raven Society scholar, UVA’s highest academic honor. Just one day later, he returned to his alma mater to address NOVA’s Class of 2026, sharing a message about resilience, patience, and perseverance.

“One of the most important lessons NOVA taught me was to be patient with myself,” Ham told graduates. “Your journey will likely not be perfect or a straight line. But the grit and resilience you develop will continue to serve you throughout your career.”

For Ham, NOVA was not only the foundation of his academic identity but also a family tradition.

His mother took occupational therapy classes at NOVA before earning her master’s degree. His older sister also began at NOVA and is now a first-year psychiatry resident in Philadelphia. His younger brother has taken NOVA classes, and his youngest sister is currently enrolled in the diagnostic ultrasound program at NOVA’s Medical Education Campus.

“It’s kind of a family tradition at this point,” Ham said with a laugh. “NOVA was the launchpad for all of us.”

Beyond the classroom, Ham credits NOVA faculty with helping shape his future. Professors Francesca Viale and Anita Mohan encouraged him to apply for the NIH Community College Enrichment Program (CSEP), a competitive internship that provided hands-on research experience and strengthened his medical school application.

“I wouldn’t have even known about the NIH opportunity if my professors hadn’t told me,” Ham said. “That kind of support meant everything.”

Now entering the next chapter of his medical career, Ham is focused not only on patient care but also on expanding opportunities for future students. He recently published research showing that community college students graduate from medical school at the same rate as their peers, challenging long-standing misconceptions about the community college pathway. He also presented his findings at the Association of American Medical Colleges Conference.

“There’s still a stigma in some places that community college is a fallback,” Ham said. “But that couldn’t be further from the truth. NOVA gave me the foundation I needed to succeed.”

Ham plans to pursue six more years of study at UVA to specialize in cardiology. Despite his accomplishments, he remains closely connected to NOVA, where he mentors pre-med students and encourages others to consider the same path that changed his life

Looking back, Ham says NOVA gave him exactly what he needed: affordability, opportunity, and people who believed in him.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without NOVA,” he said. For students uncertain about their future, his advice is simple: “Try community college. It’s one of the best decisions I ever made.”

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