Alumni Spotlight: Kristin Higgins and Tricia (Higgins) Hultgren
(Kristin on left, Tricia on right)
(Kristin on left, Tricia on right)
Becoming a medical doctor is already a difficult achievement. Twins becoming successful MDs in different fields; even more impressive! Kristin Higgins and Tricia (Higgins) Hultgren attended Skyline Elementary, Elkhorn Middle School, and graduated from EHS in 1998. From there, they each chose separate but similar paths. Through it all, they remain supportive of one another and travel to be together three or four times a year.
Tricia attended medical school at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She interned at UNMC in Internal Medicine and completed her residency at Loyola University Medical Center, where she was Chief Resident. Tricia is board certified in Dermatology and is the past President and member of Nebraska Dermatology Society. Currently,Tricia lives in Elkhorn with her husband and two sons. Dr. Hultgren is a senior partner and practices Dermatology at Dermatology Specialists of Omaha. Most days she works at the new Elkhorn office. During the Covid Pandemic, it became clear that Dermatology Specialists of Omaha needed more space for their physicians and physicians assistants to provide their best care, and Tricia was integral in the expansion of the practice to west Omaha. Tricia loves interior design and if you check out the office in Elkhorn, you will see her flare for design! In her free time, Tricia enjoys traveling with her family and spending time with her two bernedoodles, Milton and Walter.
Kristin attended Tulane University School of Medicine. She interned in internal medicine at Duke University Medical Center. Following up with a residency in Radiation Oncology at Duke. Kristin lives in Atlanta with her husband and two sons. In January 2024, she accepted the position of Chief Clinical Officer at City of Hope Cancer Center in Atlanta. Dr. Higgins has authored over 100 peer-reviewed manuscripts and several book chapters, and she co-chaired the 2021 World Conference on Lung Cancer. Kristin doesn’t have that much spare time, but when she does, she enjoys spending time with her family, dog, and decompressing with yoga.
Q: Who were some of your favorite Teachers?
T: Miss McCoy, Mrs. Bock
K: Mr. Wortman
K&T: Frerichs, going into pre-med that class (AP Chemistry) really helped prepare us for college level classes.
Q: What activities did you participate in in High School?
K&T: Newspaper, gymnastics (outside of school) as freshmen and sophomores, cheerleading
K: Also track
Q: Do you have any favorite memories hanging out at Elkhorn?
K: I liked going to the Dairy Chef. We liked going to the Kwik Shop and Godfather’s Pizza. We cruised around on Highway 31. Football and basketball games were fun too.
Where did you go to college after high school and what was your major?
T: Iowa State, originally I thought I wanted to be a veterinarian, but then switched to pre-med.
K: I went to Vanderbilt majoring in Neuroscience
Q: Did you do any activities in college?
K and T: We were both cheerleaders in college, basketball games were a blast!
Q: What led you to a career in your field?
T: I am visual learner, and Dermatology is the perfect specialty for me in that I can examine a patient’s skin and come to a diagnosis.There is a clinical-pathologic correlation with how skin appears when biopsied and examined under the microscope that is exciting to learn. Additionally, It can be extremely fulfilling to treat a disease process that manifests itself outwardly. Patients are very grateful when their skin disease improves or is cured. I also enjoy the cosmetic side of dermatology, helping people look like a better version of themselves.
K: I chose a career in oncology because I wanted to do something impactful, meaningful, to help people. This is important work.
Q: Do you have a special moment in your career that you’d like to share?
T: When I diagnose melanoma in an early stage and help save someone’s life. Treating stage one early melanoma and other complex medical conditions; your patients are so thankful. I diagnose at least one melanoma a week.
Q: Do you have any wisdom to share for current Elkhorn students?
T: We have a unique gap year program for students after graduating from college before applying to med school or PA school, we employ them and teach them how to use the electronic med system, draw blood, blood pressure, etc. We will also write letters of recommendation to help them get into med school. They’re so much more prepared for medical school after this one year experience. We take 10 gap year students a year. It’s fun and fulfilling to teach these students. They work at both of our offices.
K: Never underestimate yourself, you can do whatever you want. You can move anywhere or compete in any environment-even if you were from a relatively small town.
*Kristin had to leave early for a work meeting and missed a small portion of the interview.
