Axe ’Em, Jacks!
A head start in health careers
Lumberjacks make great dentists, doctors, veterinarians, physical therapists – and more. If you’re interested in a career in healthcare or medicine, SFA’s pre-health program will give you the foundation you need to pursue your goal. Where can our pre-health program take you? Just ask some of our successful graduates.
Dr. Fredrick Poage, Class of '06
BS in mathematics
Receiving his bachelor’s degree at SFA, Dr. Frederick Poage currently serves as the medical director at Amarillo’s Northwest Emergency at Town Square, an ER physician and a professor at Texas Tech. Juggling multiple roles, Poage also put his pilot’s license to use as a volunteer pilot for Angel Flight South Central.
Dr. Nikki Lejeune, Class of '13
BS in agriculture, animal science
At first, Nikki Lejeune was determined to go to an out-of-state school to get the full “college experience” – but her parents were looking for an in-state price tag. Nikki received a few scholarship offers from schools in other states, but before committing to a school, she agreed to visit SFA for Showcase Saturday. Although she visited SFA mostly to appease her parents, she says she felt at home the moment she set foot on campus.
During her time at SFA, Nikki got involved in a variety of activities and student organizations, including the Traditions Council, Collegiate SFA, Yellow House and the American Medical Student Association. She also worked as a writing and chemistry tutor at SFA’s Academic Assistance and Resource Center. Today, Nikki is a veterinarian in at Mission Veterinary Hospital in Mission, Texas. She says she wouldn’t trade her four years in Nacogdoches for anything in the world.
The Mack Brothers, Class of ’83 (Ben), ’81 (Andy) and ’79 (Chris)
BS in biology
Axe ‘em, Macks! Chris, Andy and Ben Mack are one of SFA’s most unique success stories. These three Lumberjacks – sons of a physician – all attended SFA before going on to pursue various health care degrees. After he earned his degree from SFA, Chris Mack completed dental school and has a successful practice in Longview. Andy Mack completed dental school and an oral surgery residency and has been an oral surgeon for close to 30 years. Ben Mack went on to medical school and has practiced general surgery in Longview for the past 25 years.
Dr. Steve Widner, Class of '80
BS for select students, science
As part of a family of Lumberjack alumni, SFA was a natural choice for Dr. Steve Widner. His grandmother graduated from SFA with both bachelor's and master's degrees. Later, his father graduated from SFA. A native of Orange, Steve's family moved to Lufkin when he was a child, where he later met his future wife, Kim '80, and together they decided to attend the university because of its proximity to home. He earned a Bachelor of Science for Select Students, a pre-health pathway, at SFA and is currently an oral surgeon at his practice, Widner and Alford Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Austin.