In April, as a kind of treat, Jeremie Oliver took his brother Jackson to an open cadaver lab at the University of Hawaii.
That day researchers and students were studying the dissection of hamstrings — of particular interest to Jackson, a middle- and long-distance runner.
“It takes a certain type of person,” Jeremie says, grinning.
“That stuff’s never fazed me,” Jackson says of such lessons in anatomy.
To the contrary, for both Oliver brothers. Jeremie, a Sequim High 2010 graduate, is headed off to the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, Minn., to pursue studies in neurosurgery and neuroscience research with career goal of becoming a surgeon. His younger brother Jackson, SHS class of 2016, travels off the mainland to pursue studies in biomedical science — and possibly a career as a surgeon — at BYU-Hawaii this fall.
From Eagle Scouts and athletics to missions and career paths, these siblings have found similar paths.
“He’s had some influence,” Jackson says of his big brother.
A prep football and basketball player, Jeremie got his lead into the field as a sophomore at Sequim High by talking his way into an anatomy class normally reserved for juniors and seniors.
“I loved it. I loved the dissections we did,” Jeremie recalls.
He also by the age of 14 completed an Eagle School badge, the highest achievement or rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America. Only about 4 percent of Boy Scouts are granted the rank following a community-based service project and review by a panel of judges.
“I figured I’d get too busy in high school (to put it off),” Jeremie says.
After graduation, he studied at BYU-Hawaii for his bachelor’s degree, then did post-graduate research at the University of Hawaii, recently graduating with a degree in microbiology.
Before he starts classes in Rochester, Jeremie joins one-quarter of the incoming Mayo Medical School’s class in a two-week trip to Nicaragua to host some international health care clinics, one of which he’ll be leading.
Then it’s on to the Mayo Clinic School of Medicine to delve into neuroscience.
“There’s so much we don’t know, so much potential (in the field),” Jeremie says, as scientists, doctors and researchers seek surgical options for those with Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases and the like.
While he may be someone behind the surgical knife as well, Jackson Oliver is leaning more toward the heart and bones (orthopedic) than the brain.
Jackson, a three-sport prep star at Sequim High (cross country, basketball and track and field), celebrated a kind of trio of graduations this June: from high school, Peninsula College (via Running Start) and earning his Eagle Scout badge.
Jackson tried to complete his Eagle Scout badge when he was a freshman but things didn’t go as planned, he says, and he wasn’t able to complete the badge until his senior year. His project was a bench with back supports at Camp Beausite, a week-long summer camp for adults and children with disabilities in Chimacum.
“I loved Scouting in general,” Jackson says. “That taught me a lot about hitting your goals. It’s a great accomplishment to finish your Eagle.”
Now Jackson’s headed to BYU-Hawaii, nestled in Laie on the north shore of Oahu. Classes start Aug. 1. While there he’ll continue his athletic career for the Cougars’ cross country team.
“I’m excited for cultural diversity — they put a big emphasis on international students,” Jackson says.
With two years of core classes out of the way, Jackson aims for a degree in two years and then going on a mission for his church.
If so, Jackson will once again be following in family footsteps. Jeremie served on a two-year mission to Brazil while sister Katie (SHS Class of 2014) served on a mission in Portugal.
“He’ll probably wind up speaking Portuguese,” Jeremie says.
Other family members include Joey Oliver (a sophomore in the 2016-2017 school year) and Jacob (fifth grade this coming fall), and parents Douglas and Teresa.
