Alumni Update: James Colston '22
A Future in Medicine, Leadership, and Service
What does it take to turn an early interest in healthcare into a future as an Army physician? For James Colston ’22, the journey has taken him from clinical experiences during his time at CDS, to medical school at the University of Florida, to receiving a competitive Army scholarship supporting his medical education.
Discover how James is preparing for a future of medicine, leadership, and service.
A Path Toward Becoming a Physician
After graduating from Carrollwood Day School in 2022, James attended the University of South Florida, where he majored in biology. He is now pursuing his doctorate at the University of Florida College of Medicine, with his medical education fully covered through the United States Army Health Professions Scholarship Program.
James always had an interest in the Army, but he never knew about the crossover until college. He also liked the idea of being a physician in the Army because there are more opportunities earlier in your career to be in leadership roles. After being selected for the highly competitive Health Professions Scholarship Program, he was commissioned into the United States Army July 2026, allowing him to pursue his medical education while preparing to serve as an Army physician.
His interest in healthcare began long before college. With both of his parents working as pharmacists, James knew from an early age that he wanted to pursue a career in the field. While at CDS, he was a member of the BEST program, or Brain Expansions Scholastic Training, which provides students interested in health professions with opportunities to learn in clinical settings.
At USF, James continued gaining hands-on experience. During his sophomore year, he worked as a medical scribe in an emergency room, where he was able to observe a wide range of medical cases and learn more about the realities of patient care.
He also served as Vice President of Finance for two years with Phi Delta Epsilon, an international professional medical fraternity. In addition to managing dues and semester budgets, James helped plan fundraising events supporting the Children's Miracle Network. His efforts included restaurant give-back nights, giveaways and larger events such as Hearts of Hope and the Run for the Kids 5K, which helped raise more than $5,000 during his first semester in the role.
The 5K was also a CDS reunion of sorts, with fellow alumni Hannah McCartney ’22 and Sarah McCartney ’22 joining the event to run and show their support.
James also gave back to the Tampa community through an internship at Dr. Traci’s House, a nonprofit serving one of Tampa’s most underserved communities. The organization provides holistic wellness services and support designed to advance health equity and improve access to care.
Looking Back on His Time at CDS
James credits the Carrollwood Day School community with helping shape his path.
“CDS was a fruitful experience that enhanced me as a person as well as a student,” James said.
“I transferred to CDS shortly before the onset of COVID-19. This made the ease of transfer all the more unexpected. From joining the football team to becoming involved in HOSA, my time at CDS is something I would never take for granted. Having supportive teachers and peers that made the IB experience manageable all influenced my trajectory toward success.”
Among the most positive parts of his CDS experience, James remembers the small class sizes, encouraging teachers, dedicated coaches and the school culture and environment. He specifically remembers the support of Coach Marshall and Coach Rod.
One of his favorite memories is simple: making friends at lunch and between classes who are still close friends today. And when it comes to CDS traditions, James says one stands out above the rest: Patriot Buddies.
As James begins the next chapter of his education and prepares for a future of service as a physician in the United States Army, his journey reflects a commitment to learning, leadership and caring for others that began at CDS.
We love sharing our alumni achievements with the CDS community. If you are a CDS Alumni and would like to share your accomplishments, please contact our Alumni Engagement Coordinator, Carli (Gauthier) Mianne '16 at cmianne@cdspatriots.org and let us know what you have been up to since leaving CDS. We look forward to hearing from you!