97-year-old Westel Creager became determined to keep a promise he made years ago.
When his great-granddaughter Haiden was going off to college, Westel told her that if she got into medical school, he’d be there when she graduated—and put on her first white coat.
For her side of the bargain, Haiden Hauret made good on the vow to go to medical school—and she even followed her great-grandfather to his alma mater, the University of Kentucky.
Westel attended 60 years ago, after starting his adult life as a carpenter, but eventually pushing himself to return to school, and pursue medicine.
He was the oldest in his class, but neither optics nor opinions nor anything else could keep him from his goals. He graduated and then went on to a long career serving others, working in emergency rooms well into his 70s.
“He always gave back to low economic areas that were underserved medically,” Kristi Johnson, Creager’s granddaughter and Hauret’s aunt told Newsweek.
“He got his pilot’s license and flew his plane with the Good Samaritans into Mexico and treated patients. He also opened an AIDS hospital in his later years.”
Over the years, Westel’s offspring and his lineage grew, but none followed in his footsteps. Until Haiden.
As she moved through medical school, Westel stayed determined to be there when she graduated—and that day arrived this summer.
His family made sure he had a clean white doctor’s coat to wear to the big event.
“I’m overwhelmed,” Westel whispered, stunned, in an emotional Instagram video.
Minutes after he slid into the new white coat, he watched his great-granddaughter receive her own. The story arc continues to unfold, as a Westel descendant moves a step closer to following his footsteps through the medical profession.
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There are many life lessons here, from both the med student and the 97-year-old doctor, the man bold enough to go back to school and build a better future.
“Grandpa was tired of being poor and wanted to become a well-respected doctor, so he did it,” Johnson said via Newsweek.
“He says it’s the key to staying young and sharp.
‘You are never too old, so keep pushing yourself, keep taking the stairs, adding new hobbies and changing your path if needed’.”
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