At age 18, Tyler Tabor was facing a cancer diagnosis he described as “very daunting”: Stage IIB Hodgkin’s lymphoma, found in his neck. As he began treatment in The University of New Mexico Hospital pediatrics unit, he said he was in disbelief
“You’re invincible when you’re that age,” Tabor said. “But, they took really good care of me, even after I relapsed.”
His care at UNM Hospital, plus treatment in Colorado for a stem cell transplant, ensured that Tabor won his cancer battle. He was 20 years old
And this victory allowed him to pursue a childhood dream: to become a healthcare provider. Last month, Tabor received his white coat as a first-year medical student in the UNM School of Medicine
“Receiving the white coat: very special day for me,” Tabor said. “It was the kind of like ‘go’ moment. It’s, to my understanding, the symbolic representation of your first steps as a student doctor or first-year med student. For me, it was a transition to the other side of the gurney, so to speak.”
In addition to his personal experience, he said he was also inspired to work in healthcare by his mother, who was a nurse at UNM Hospital and is now a case manager there
“My mom, being a nurse for my entire life, she would come home with stories, and it was always so cool to hear about what different ICU or ER she was working in here at UNM Hospital,” Tabor said
What better way to repay the great state of New Mexico, that has treated me, than to treat others?
– Tyler Tabor,Pediatric Cancer Survivor & First-Year Student, UNM School of Medicine
Following treatment, and with medical school in mind, Tabor earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry, both from UNM. Then, he got a job as a medical scribe in a primary care clinic, which helped him decide to become a doctor, he said
He didn’t get into medical school on his first try, but he persevered
Now, Tabor is training to become a doctor in the same academic medical center where he was treated for cancer, and he said he thinks his treatment experience will help him in his work
Tyler Tabor receives his white coat at the UNM School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on July 24, 2026. Photo Credit: McKaela Arviso
“I am incredibly grateful, in some regard, for this journey and this experience, and having won my battle with cancer because it gives me that perspective of being a patient,” he said
He hopes to bring hard-won empathy to his patients and to give back by helping the people of his home state of New Mexico
“What better way to repay the great state of New Mexico, that has treated me, than to treat others?” Tabor said
He has grown so much from his diagnosis. He gives back in any way he can. I’m incredibly proud of the man he’s become, and I look forward to working with him one day in the hospital
– Jessica Valdez, MD, MPH, FAAP,Pediatric Oncologist, UNM Hospital
Along the road to getting into the UNM School of Medicine, Tabor said he relied on support from friends and family, plus on the mentorship of his pediatric oncologist, Jessica Valdez, MD, MPH, FAAP
“I would definitely say that my own oncologist, Dr. Valdez, is a huge inspiration to me and one of the main reasons I’m even in medical school today,” Tabor said. “She has been so incredibly insightful and helpful, not only in saving my life and allowing me to be here today physically, but providing re a mentor and a role model for me as a physician.”
Valdez said Tabor is a “phenomenal” person
“I am incredibly proud of Tyler,” Valdez said. “When I first met him, when he was newly diagnosed, he told me he wanted to go to medical school. And so, part of our first conversation was, ‘We are going to get you there. We are going to get you past this. This is going to be something you go through and makes you stronger and you use to write about on your med school applications.’ And that’s exactly what he did. He was determined and strong the entire journey. He has grown so much from his diagnosis. He gives back in any way he can. I’m incredibly proud of the man he’s become, and I look forward to working with him one day in the hospital.”
Tyler Tabor (second from left), with family, at the UNM School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on July 24, 2026. Photo Credit: McKaela Arviso
Another essential part of Tabor’s mental and physical recovery from cancer has been to connect with other cancer survivors, he said. Tabor is lead cabin counselor at Camp Enchantment, a New Mexico nonprofit where pediatric cancer patients and survivors can meet and share their experiences. He also started his own cancer-survivor group called “Out Living!”
“As soon as I found the wonderful world of survivorship and other cancer survivors, my world brightened up tenfold, and I haven’t looked back since,” he said
Now, as Tabor faces the rest of medical school, he said the future can seem a bit scary. He’s not quite sure what kind of medicine he’d like to practice, although he says he’s leaning toward surgery. Regardless, he’s grateful to be on this journey
“Every day is kind of a reminder of the place that I once was in, whether it be in the grippy socks and breezy gowns on a gurney, or studying in Zimmerman Library at UNM,” he said. “Coming from that to now, being in the place that I once prayed to be in, is a bit surreal. I’m just very grateful to be here and having to remind myself that no matter how difficult this becomes, no matter how many hours I’m spending studying in the HSC library, I asked to be here, and I am incredibly grateful to keep doing it.”
Banner and Thumbnail Images: Bottom Left – Tyler Tabor after receiving stem cell treatment on his birthday. Photo courtesy Tyler Tabor. Top Right – Tyler Tabor at the UNM School of Medicine White Coat Ceremony at the National Hispanic Cultural Center on July 24, 2026. Photo Credit: McKaela Arviso. Collage Design Credit: Allan Stone
Categories:Patient Care,
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Community,
UNM Hospital,
School of Medicine
