Grad Begins Residency at Walter Reed

Northern Michigan University 2022 alumnus Dylan Bilicki found that Army ROTC offered a path to achieve his dual goal of continuing his family's legacy of military service while pursuing a career in neuroscience and medicine, an interest sparked by the team of healthcare professionals who helped him recover from a severe concussion in high school. After graduating from Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine last month, he began a residency in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

"Becoming an Army physician seemed to be the perfect fit to pursue both of my passions and professional goals," said Bilicki in an MSU feature story. "Our service members deserve the highest quality of care. Serving in the Army has been my life's honor, and I'm excited to continue to do so."

As a high school freshman in Brighton, Bilicki suffered a hard hit during a rugby scrimmage. He was transported to the ER to get treated for a serious concussion and endured months of physical therapy and time away from the classroom and field. He was so impressed with the team of healthcare professionals who helped him recover his cognitive ability and return to sports that he began contemplating a similar career.

In the spring of 2022, Bilicki graduated from NMU and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army. That fall, he enrolled at MSU's College of Human Medicine. During his second year of medical school, he spent a day doing rounds with a physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R) team and was enthralled by the discussions of neuroanatomy, musculoskeletal physiology and inpatient rehab care.

"I left the hospital that day and called my wife to tell her I had found my specialty," he said. "I could apply my passion for neuroscience in a way that could improve the lives of others, just as someone had done for me as a kid."

In the MSU story posted before his graduation, Bilicki added that leaving the Lansing community where he spent four years would be difficult because of two milestones celebrated while there.

He married NMU alumna Angela (Brown), who holds a bachelor's in biology/physiology and a master's in exercise science. The couple also started a family. Bilicki was joined by his infant son as he crossed the MSU commencement stage. He said becoming a father reinforced an important lesson about his profession.

"Time and health are by far our most precious commodities we have as human beings. It's important to treasure these two gifts in medicine, which can be full of sorrow and pain."

View the full MSU story here.