From Angola to Atlanta, from Ewing to UNMC – and beyond | Writing

Edson DeOliveira still remembers walking out of the house on his first day of third grade.

He smelled a slight odor of manure and spotted a livestock trailer on a nearby property.

We’re not in Atlanta anymore, he thought.

Not only was the DeOliveira family’s home in Ewing, Nebraska, a stark contrast to their last home in Atlanta, it was also a far cry from their first home in Angola.

But growing up in rural Nebraska ultimately shaped who DeOliveira is today.

“I not only got to see how rural America is, which not many people get to experience,” DeOliveira said.

DeOliveira, 32, graduated from UNMC earlier this month and is headed to Indiana University School of Medicine to practice neurology.

Born in Angola, DeOliveira moved to Atlanta with his family when he was 6 years old. His father, a Methodist minister, trained for two years at Emory University. He applied for positions at churches across the country and was accepted at Ewing, which is about 20 minutes southeast of O’Neill.

“We’ve always been small-town city people,” he said. “But at first we were fortunate to be welcomed by members of the congregation. »

Moving to Atlanta from Angola was “a huge shock,” DeOliveira said. But growing up in Ewing gave him insight into the nuances of small-town life.

He attended many potlucks, played many games of Scrabble, and spent time on nearby farms.

“People look out for each other and take care of each other,” he said. “These are very simple things, but upon reflection I realize that they really were a big part of my childhood and set me on this trajectory.”

DeOliveira has always been interested in science. He read science fiction books and attended science fairs and camps. One of his science teachers noticed his talent for science and encouraged him to participate in UNMC’s Rural Health Opportunity Program.

He relied on his mother, who worked as a CNA, and one of his sisters, who attended nursing school, for advice as he considered a career in medicine.

DeOliveira earned his undergraduate degree at Nebraska Wesleyan University before enrolling at UNMC, where he completed a master’s degree and medical school.

“I can officially call Nebraska home now,” he said. “Seeing how much I’ve matured – thanks to small-town Nebraskans, Omaha and UNMC – has made the biggest difference.”

“I owe a lot to the faculty members and community at UNMC. I grew up as a student and young professional. They have been instrumental in helping guide me to where I am headed. I want to say thank you to them.

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