John Kemp, Jr., a pre-med student at Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBA), has turned his personal medical challenges into motivation for a future career in medicine. Unlike most children who face minor illnesses, Kemp spent much of his youth seeking answers for an undiagnosed condition that led to frequent hospital visits across the country.
Kemp’s health issues began in preschool with unexplained pain that intensified over time. Despite numerous consultations, doctors could not identify the cause. In 2013, a neurosurgeon at Miami Children’s Hospital suggested there might be a vascular malformation in his spine. The search for a diagnosis led Kemp and his family from their home in Loxahatchee, Florida, to Baltimore, Maryland, where specialists at Johns Hopkins Hospital performed a venogram. This procedure revealed an extra renal vein—a rare abnormality causing pressure on his spine.
The family relocated more than once to access specialized care unavailable in Florida. “It was difficult, but it made us who we are. And it brought us closer as a family,” Kemp said.
These experiences inspired Kemp to establish The Kemp Legacy Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps families with travel and treatment expenses related to medical care. He noted the challenges many face when trying to access appropriate resources: “It’s so hard these days to get in contact with the correct people,” he said. “Everyone wants to help you, but not everyone knows how.”
Now a junior studying biology with a pre-health concentration at PBA, Kemp is preparing for medical school and hopes to become an orthopedic spine surgeon. He also helped launch PBA’s chapter of the Christian Medical and Dental Association this semester and serves as its chief revenue officer. The chapter aims to provide fellowship and support for students pursuing healthcare careers.
More information about pre-health programs at Palm Beach Atlantic University can be found on their website.
