Russell Ledet, a man who once worked as a security guard to fund his education, has achieved extraordinary success, earning both a PhD and a medical degree.

After high school, Ledet served in the Navy for two years before returning to Louisiana to pursue higher education. He enrolled at Southern University, where he studied organic chemistry while working as a security guard at Baton Rouge General Medical Center.

It was there that he developed friendships with doctors, eventually seeking mentorship from several physicians. One of them, Dr. Patrick Greiffenstein, chief surgery resident at the time, took him under his wing and guided him through his academic journey.

Determined to advance his studies, Ledet earned a master’s degree in Cell and Molecular Biology from New York University’s Sackler Institute of Graduate Biomedical Sciences.

He then went on to complete a PhD in Molecular Oncology before pursuing a Doctor of Medicine and a Master of Business Administration through a dual-degree program at Tulane University.

Reflecting on his journey, Ledet described wearing his white coat as the greatest honor, especially given his background. He admitted that as a 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥, he never imagined such achievements were possible

Ledet stated that the military had once seemed like his best path forward, yet he now stood on the other side of his struggles with multiple advanced degrees.

Speaking to CBS News, he expressed his gratitude for those who supported him along the way and emphasized his desire to inspire others. He hopes his journey will serve as a beacon of hope for young people who may not yet see their full potential.