Arts and Sciences | Lion VoicesDecember 10, 2025

A Change of Heart

Written By: Ian Silvester

A few years ago, Seth Fields, a biology student concentrating in biomedical professionals, questioned whether he would see his college graduation.  

“I had no idea what was happening. I thought I was having a heart attack or something,” he recalled. “I thought I was pretty close to death.” 

Seth was a junior at Northside High School, vacationing in Mexico with his family. While on his way back from an excursion, he noticed his heart rate start to climb. His heartbeat continued to race, prompting a trip to the emergency room. 

“They restarted my heart with some adenosine,” he said, detailing how the prescription drug is used to reset the heart by stopping it. 

After returning home, Seth was referred to a specialist. He later underwent heart surgery after experiencing additional episodes. 

“They ended up diagnosing me with SVT (supraventricular tachycardia),” Seth said. “When you’re going through something like that, it feels like a near-death experience.” 

Seth was ultimately cleared to return to life as normal. He even played football for the Grizzlies and had an active social life. But the experience left him reevaluating the direction he was headed. 

“I saw what the doctor was able to do to me by lifting that anxiety off of my shoulders. … That (experience) motivated me to look into medicine,” he said. “I started volunteering at the Good Samaritan Clinic, which gave me a passion and a drive to be able to be the same person that the doctor was for me. To be someone to help people with the knowledge that I’ve learned over years and years of training.” 

Seth enrolled at UAFS in the fall of 2022 after two years as a concurrent student and declared as a biology major. He will walk across the stage at the Stubblefield Center in December, where he will accept his bachelor’s degree. 

During those three years at UAFS, Seth has conducted research with Dr. Jordan Mader, associate professor of chemistry, to remove dichloromethane, a carcinogenic, environmentally harmful solvent, and replace it with a less expensive organic solvent. He has also taken his medical college admission test, or MCAT, scoring above the average. 

“I studied for the MCAT for about six months for 20 hours every week, if not more,” he said. 

He added that this study was in addition to his regular classwork, tutoring at the Academic Success Center, and volunteering. 

Seth utilized resources at UAFS, including the ASC, the Babb Center for Career Services, and many of his professors, to help him prepare for the MCAT and his medical school applications. With applications submitted to the University of Oklahoma, the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and Arkansas Colleges of Health Education, it’s time to wait. 

He said he should have an answer by January and hopes to begin medical school in July. Seth plans to study to become a cardiologist or an infectious disease doctor. 

• Tags:
• College of Arts and Sciences
• UAFS Commencement
• Biology