From GTCC to medical school, alumnus carries lessons in community, leadership and service

“GTCC gave me an opportunity not only to pursue my education, but also to serve, connect, lead, and learn from the people around me,” Furet said. “Those are lessons that I continue to carry with me as a medical student and future physician.”

When Maurice Furet reflects on where his path to medicine truly began, he starts with Guilford Technical Community College.

Furet, who is in his first year of medical school at the Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine, credits GTCC with helping him grow not only academically, but personally and professionally.

“My time at GTCC genuinely contributed to my development as a well-rounded future healthcare professional and community leader,” he said. “When I first started at GTCC, I was fairly shy, but I intentionally pushed myself to get involved on campus and to talk with people from different backgrounds and experiences.”

Those experiences – listening, learning, and connecting – prepared him for medical school and for his future career as a physician.

Furet began his higher education journey as a dual-enrolled student at GTCC, where he earned his high school diploma and an Associate of Science degree.

During his first semester at GTCC, he became involved in student government, which provided valuable leadership opportunities and led to him becoming the college’s youngest elected student government association president.

In 2025, Furet was invited to return to where his college career began and deliver GTCC’s commencement address, which he described as a surreal and full-circle moment.

“I was surprised and honored to be able to come back to GTCC,” he said. “As a young minority male, every opportunity that brought me to where I am now is because of GTCC.”

Furet was born in Atlanta, Georgia, but his mother moved the family to Greensboro, North Carolina, when he was five years old.

After graduating from GTCC, he transferred to N.C. State University as a junior, where he received his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry. He then worked at Labcorp before moving to Columbus, Ohio, for a role as a pancreatic disease research associate at The Ohio State University.

His mother, seeing that many of his medical school prospects were in Ohio, relocated to her hometown of Columbus, which provided Furet with support as he began his rigorous medical school journey.

Just months after submitting his primary medical school application, Furet received his first acceptance letter – an achievement he describes as both humbling and affirming.

“The process definitely taught me patience and optimism,” he said. “It also reinforced the importance of understanding what makes me unique and being willing to communicate that throughout my application.”

Furet said the strong sense of community played a big role in choosing Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. He found an environment genuinely invested in his success, much like the supportive culture and sense of connection he experienced at GTCC.

“Even before I became a medical student, the faculty, staff, and current medical students continued to make me feel supported,” he said. “I knew medical school was going to be difficult, but I also knew it would be even more difficult if I tried to go through it alone.”

Medical school training includes two years of preclinical coursework such as lectures, anatomy, and foundational sciences, followed by two years of clinical rotations, working with healthcare professionals in hospitals and clinics.

After graduation from medical school, Furet will begin residency training, which can last anywhere from three to six years depending on the specialty he chooses. He is currently interested in cardiothoracic or trauma surgery, but he looks forward to the many opportunities that lie before him as he progresses through medical school.

“My biggest priority will ultimately be finding an environment where I can continue to grow as a physician leader, advocate, and servant of underserved communities,” he said.

That mindset drives Furet to continue to serve his community in meaningful ways, even with the demands of medical school.

He volunteers with the American Red Cross as a local disaster supervisor and emergency medical responder, supports a nonprofit urban farm through gardening and farmers markets, and works as a swim instructor at the YMCA. Nationally, he serves as the Premedical Board Member for the Student National Medical Association, advocating for premedical students across the country.

“Although medical school has definitely kept me busy, I’m grateful to continue giving back to my community and staying connected to the activities and organizations that helped shape my journey to medicine,” he said.

Furet’s message to aspiring medical students is simple: never tell yourself no.

“Even if you don't think you're qualified for a particular opportunity, resource, scholarship, leadership position, or program, apply anyway,” he said. “And when opportunities are presented to you, don't be afraid to say yes.”

Looking back at his educational journey, Furet appreciates GTCC as the place where he was able to explore his interests, meet people who were different from him, and learn the value of community.

“GTCC gave me an opportunity not only to pursue my education, but also to serve, connect, lead, and learn from the people around me,” he said. “Those are lessons that I continue to carry with me as a medical student and future physician.”