University of Wisconsin student Tim Cordes is the first blind student to graduate with a Medical Degree from the University of Wisconsin Medical School.

Graduating with honors, Cordes is now pursuing his PhD through the UW Department of Bimolecular Chemistry and researching the microbial aspects of pneumonia.

Cordes said that in order to reach his accomplishments and become one of only a few blind doctors in the country he had to keep motivated.

“I just wanted to do it,” Cordes said.

Despite his positive attitude and impressive credentials, Cordes said he met opposition when he applied to medical schools. After graduating valedictorian of his class at the University of Notre Dame, Cordes faced skepticism while applying to medical schools.

“There are not a lot of blind folks going into the medical field,” Cordes said. “That is why I was pleasantly surprised by UW. There were a lot of people willing to work with me.”

Cordes said the UW faculty was incredibly supportive in providing assistance to him. Mike Moninger, an administrative officer in the medical school, said his office converted Cordes’ books and course material into electronic documents so Cordes could hear his textbook readings. Cordes said some faculty even took time to read him notes.

Cordes also had access to special tools like a talking laptop and a device called an Optacon, a tool with a small camera and vibrating pins to help his fingers feel images.

Cordes said the faculty was helpful, especially with “the little transparent stuff you would not think about.”

Although Cordes will not practice medicine like conventional doctors, he said his blindess could provide something different from doctors who can see.

“I will have to pay close attention to sound and [touch],” Cordes said. “However, I think [as] someone living with a chronic problem everyday, I can offer more insight.”

With all the hard work he has completed, Cordes said the deciding factor to his success came from all extra support and help the school’s faculty and staff gave him.

“I think it was the great support from the university that helped a lot,” Cordes said. “They were doing so much for me I felt I had to keep up my end of the bargain.”

Officials from the UW medical school said Cordes did more than his share cooperating with UW staff. Moninger said working with Cordes was “rewarding and pleasurable.”

“Tim will be successful no matter what he does,” Moninger said.