Hugh Ferguson’s passion for healthcare manifests itself in his courses, internships, research efforts, and volunteer work, which recently earned him a spot on the Memphis Flyer’s 20 Under 30 list of people helping to shape the city’s future.
For the Memphis native, being a Rhodes Lynx and Clarence Day Scholar is a family affair. His older brother, Ethan Ferguson ’22, was also awarded the Day Scholarship, which provides incoming students from the Memphis area resources necessary to impact their community through self-guided service projects.
A biomathematics major, Ferguson always knew he wanted to get involved with the Memphis healthcare community. Thanks to Rhodes’ Health Professions Advising Program, he obtained internships at both Methodist University Hospital and Church Health. “These internships allowed me to not only perform patient rounds in healthcare settings, but also build deep connections with patients and the medical staff,” says Ferguson.
One of Ferguson’s foremost volunteer efforts is with Remote Area Medical (RAM), an organization that focuses on providing healthcare to underserved rural areas in Tennessee. RAM organizes clinics staffed by local doctors and volunteers, which provide free medical, dental, and vision care. Roughly 1,000 patients are treated per remote clinic, and Ferguson got his start with the group as a traveling volunteer during his first year at Rhodes. Now, he serves as their publicity officer and is always looking for opportunities to get other students involved. He also volunteers as an elementary school tutor, as a poll booth worker, and at the Memphis Crisis Center.
In keeping with the Day Scholarship’s mission, a sincere love for the city of Memphis and its people underpins all of Ferguson’s efforts. “Memphis is not a perfect city, but its resilience and orientation toward growth inspire me in my personal life and give me a sense of purpose,” he says. “Everyone can find their niche in Memphis; you just have to fill it with your experiences and passions.”
In the area of research, Ferguson works with physics professors Dr. Brent Hoffmeister and Dr. Ann Viano at the Physics Lab for Ultrasonic Studies, where he assists in developing AI-assisted ultrasound devices. This research seeks to provide a viable alternative to X-ray machines in underserved communities. He has been both a first author and coauthor for several research publications.
“My research experience at Rhodes has provided me with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on my community,” says Ferguson. He recently presented the importance of undergraduate research to congressional staff members on Capitol Hill through the Council on Undergraduate Research’s “Scholars Transforming through Research” program.
Ferguson encourages all Rhodes students to explore research and volunteer opportunities, especially those considering careers in healthcare. He says, “You can’t learn how to care about someone from just reading—you also have to go into field work and experience humanity.”
By Hannah Meit ’25