Dr. Christian Getz from Norway
Dr. Christian Getz, an alumnus of the McDaniel College Pre-Medical Program, began his medical journey in 1998 when he joined the pre-med track in Budapest. Dr. Getz describes his time in the program as an intense yet highly rewarding experience that laid a strong foundation for his future medical studies.
“The pre-med program gave us exactly what we needed,” he recalls. “The teaching was compact, focused, and delivered by excellent instructors who understood how to prepare us for medical school.”
Following the Pre-Med program, Dr. Getz continued his education at Semmelweis University in Budapest, completing both his pre-clinical and clinical medical training there.
Drawn to surgical disciplines early on, Dr. Getz chose to specialize in ear, nose, and throat (ENT) and head and neck surgery. His five-year specialization included training at several hospitals, among them Oslo University Hospital. He initially worked in hospital settings before transitioning to a combination of hospital and private practice.
As his career progressed and his family grew, he is now married and the father of four, Dr. Getz decided to establish his own ENT outpatient clinic in Horten, Norway. Today, he works alongside with two audiologists, providing care for both adult and pediatric patients. He values the variety of his work and emphasizes the importance of finding a professional path that aligns with one’s personal life.
Medicine also runs in the family: two of Dr. Getz’s brothers also studied medicine in Hungary (so three universities are represented in the family, Budapest, Szeged and Pécs). One is now a radiologist, and the other one practices as a psychiatrist.
Reflecting on his journey, Dr. Getz encourages today’s pre-med students to remain focused and committed: “University life hasn’t changed as much as one might think. With clear goals and consistent effort, it is absolutely possible to succeed. Medical training is demanding, but dedication is essential for a meaningful career as a physician.”