Kirk Livers ’11 had been a physician assistant for just one year when COVID-19 arrived. More than a century earlier, his great-great-grandfather had treated patients during the 1918 flu pandemic. Now, Livers found himself facing a similar challenge, reading the latest research and determining what information he could share with patients.

“We were all scrambling,” said Livers, who started working at in Hagerstown, Maryland, in May 2020. “It was a quick learning curve, that’s for sure.”

Livers has remained at the primary care practice ever since, caring for patients in a medically underserved community where many face significant barriers to care.

“A lot of my patients just haven’t had good healthcare, ever,” he said. “It’s a wildcard as to who’s going to walk into my office at any given time.”

For Livers, treating patients often means addressing more than a diagnosis. Many of his patients are managing chronic illnesses, mental health concerns, addiction, housing insecurity, or years of mistrust toward the healthcare system.

“They feel like nobody is going to listen to them,” he said. “My No. 1 goal is to get them to trust me, to know I’m not going to steer them wrong, and to get them to do what I’m advising them to do for their own health.”

That commitment to compassionate care earned Livers 91����’s 2026 Outstanding Young Alum Award, presented annually to an alumnus or alumna whose professional achievements and Christ-like service make a significant contribution to the local, national, or global community.

“I’m extremely humbled,” he said. “I had the privilege of having so many brilliant and kind people in my graduating class, and I can only imagine there are so many other people before and after me who are doing wonderful things. I am beyond grateful to be recognized.”

Born and raised in Hagerstown, Livers first learned about 91���� from a friend’s older brother, who had graduated and gone on to medical school. Drawn to a career in medicine, Livers visited campus and immediately felt at home.

“I knew it had a great academic program, and I knew I was going to get the education I needed to go further,” he said.

As a biochemistry major in 91����’s pre-medicine program, Livers initially planned to become a physician. After graduation, however, he put those plans on hold while he cared for sick family members and worked for a nonprofit animal shelter. During that time, he discovered that a career as a physician assistant was a better fit for him.

He earned a master’s degree in physician assistant studies from Shenandoah University in 2018. He worked at a family medicine practice in Martinsburg, West Virginia, for about a year before returning to the Hagerstown area and joining Walnut Street Family Medicine, which is part of Meritus Health.

As a non-Mennonite student at 91����, Livers learned to connect with people from different cultures and backgrounds. He said that experience has helped him build relationships with his patients today.

“91���� teaches the value of community, and community isn’t just your neighborhood or even your country. It’s the global community,” he said. “Having that sense of welcoming and being inclusive to everyone definitely helps shape how I practice medicine.”

Livers lives in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, with his partner, Jared, an optometrist. When he’s not caring for patients, he mentors physician assistant students from Shenandoah University.

Despite the long hours and challenges of the job, he finds the greatest reward in becoming a trusted partner in his patients’ care.

“I’ve had plenty of patients tell me, ‘I will only see you,’” Livers said. “Having that kind of bond with patients is something I’ll always remember.”

Livers will share his story at 91���� TenTalks, held on Saturday, Oct. 10, at 2 p.m. in Martin Chapel during Homecoming 2026. For a full schedule of Homecoming events and activities, visit emu.edu/homecoming.