Scott Ruane’s Path of Academic Excellence at Baylor
When Scott Ruane left his hometown in Ohio for Baylor University, he never imagined that Waco, Texas, would become the home base for some of his favorite memories. Now, having earned his degree in May 2025 from the Health Science Studies program’s pre-medical track, he is reflecting on his time at Baylor. Throughout his undergraduate journey, Ruane has embraced growth, built lasting relationships, and created experiences that will stay with him long after he leaves Waco.
From the very beginning of his Baylor experience, Ruane grounded his journey in faith.
“The Lord’s guidance and provision is the only reason I’ve had any success,” he said. “My faith is the most important part of my life, and God deserves the credit, not me.”
Leading up to his graduation, Ruane was recognized at Baylor’s Academic Honors Convocation. This event, which celebrates outstanding students from across the University, felt especially rewarding because he believes so much of academic life can often feel thankless.
“A lot of it is just keeping a good GPA and hoping that gets you to the next step,” he said. “But at the end of the day, your grades are just grades. Having something distinct to feel rewarded for after working so hard really means a lot. I have a great family, and my parents are proud of me, but to know that my efforts were noticed by others, that felt like it really mattered.”
When asked what stands out the most about his time at Baylor, however, Ruane did not mention awards or achievements—instead, he talked about the people who have made his experience unforgettable.
“I lived in a house with seven of my best guy friends for all these years, and it was an absolute blast,” he said. “Alongside all the work, it was so much fun. I’m really excited for next year, but graduation and saying ‘goodbye’ was so tough.”
Hands-On Healthcare in Costa Rica
One of Ruane’s most impactful experiences during his undergraduate studies came in the form of a plane ticket and a passport. As part of a Health Science Studies Signature Experience, he and 15 fellow students traveled to Costa Rica. The 10-day study abroad trip was packed with hands-on educational opportunities, with more than half of the time spent preparing for and working in community clinics. In addition, the group enjoyed some well-deserved fun at a resort, participating in ziplining and other adventures.
“It was the first time that I was able to really apply all that I had learned. We felt like we were actually out there making a difference, instead of just being stuck behind a textbook in a classroom,” he said. “There were some really amazing patients I met there.”
Ruane shared about one patient specifically who left a strong impression on him.
“I don’t speak Spanish, and we were trying to communicate with the kids in Spanish. I was sitting next to one little girl, and eventually we started pointing at a sticker board, saying the names of animals. I’d say it in English, and she’d say it in Spanish. That moment will stick with me forever.”
Mentorship that Matters
While reflecting on the professors who shaped his time at Baylor, Tricia Blalock, PT, DPT, MPH, CEEAA, CLT, Director of Health Science Studies and Clinical Associate Professor for the Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation (HHPR), was first to come to mind.
“Dr. Blalock was literally the reason our study abroad trip to Costa Rica happened,” he said. “She also nominated me to be part of the Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences’ Student Advisory Board—this was a huge honor—I joined several students to work directly with Dean Carter. And that was because of her!”
As a member of the Student Advisory Board, Ruane had the opportunity to collaborate directly with Robbins College leadership, including Jason R. Carter, PhD, Dean of Robbins College, along with a diverse group of students from across the College’s undergraduate and graduate programs. The board met monthly for breakfast and leadership development sessions led by Carter, followed by thoughtful discussions on student-driven topics like the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in higher education, barriers to graduating within four years, and student mental health, food insecurity, and spiritual life.
An Internship that Built Resilience
The Health Science Studies program curriculum requires an internship, and Ruane fulfilled this requirement through his study abroad trip to Costa Rica, which provided valuable hands-on clinical exposure and cultural immersion. Separately, he took on an additional challenge by working as a nursing assistant at Coryell Health Rehabliving at The Meadows, an assisted living facility in Gatesville, Texas.
“Personally, it was extremely challenging because I was living in Waco for school, so I had to get up at 4 a.m. to drive an hour out there to the facility to help residents get out of bed and to breakfast,” he said. “It was a whole different world from anything I’d done before.”
Ruane recalls that working in an assisted living environment required not only physical strength, but emotional patience and adaptability. Ultimately, the internship taught him the importance of resilience and meeting people where they are—lessons he knows will stay with him as he continues his medical career.
“There were so many distinct demands and needs that everyone who has been working there for a while knows, and I had to get acquainted with that. It just took a lot of patience,” he said. “The goal of taking that job was to have a humbling experience—and it definitely delivered on that.”
Looking Ahead
With clear direction and a heart for service, Ruane is stepping into the next chapter with purpose—ready to learn, grow, and lead with compassion. He elected to take a gap year and remain in Waco to work as a medical assistant at Epiphany Dermatology, stepping into the role previously held by another Health Science Studies graduate. Afterward, he will apply to medical schools in Texas and hopes to pursue a career in physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), with the potential to specialize further in sports medicine.
“I’m really excited just to work for a year and actually do some hands-on stuff,” he said.
While the future holds plenty of unknowns, one thing is clear—Ruane isn’t walking into it alone. During his freshman year at Baylor Line Camp, he met Allie White. The two recently got engaged and plan to get married in August 2025. With his faith as his foundation, Ruane credits the Lord’s guidance and provision as the true source of every opportunity and success along the way.
ABOUT ROBBINS COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Established in 2014, Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences seeks to enhance health, quality of life, and human flourishing for all individuals and communities through education, research, and innovation. It includes six academic departments—Communication Sciences and Disorders; Health, Human Performance, and Recreation; Human Sciences and Design; Occupational Therapy; Physical Therapy; and Public Health—along with the Division of Health Professions, which houses the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. Robbins College offers 13 bachelor’s degrees, eight master’s degrees, and six doctoral degrees, as well as nine graduate programs in partnership with the U.S. Army. Graduate programs in Robbins College are offered in a variety of modalities, including on campus, online, and hybrid.