Austin Minnich '17 was a pivotal performer for the Lebanon Valley College men's lacrosse team during his four years in Annville, but he has gone on to make an even greater impact off the field as an Emergency Room Doctor at Lancaster General Hospital (LGH).

Minnich graduated from LVC with a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, along with a minor in Business Administration. After graduating from the College, he attended the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and earned his Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) in May 2021. He then completed a residency in Emergency Medicine at West Virginia University in 2024, before beginning his current role at LGH. 

"The long hours in medical school and residency help prepare you for everyday life in the emergency room," Minnich said. "My training helped put me in a position to be prepared to help people when they need it most."

Minnich said that he has enjoyed giving back to the community he grew up in during his three years at Lancaster General Hospital, where he cares for patients during critical moments and makes life-saving decisions. 

"What I love most about emergency medicine is the unpredictability, the challenge of thinking on my feet, and the ability to make an immediate difference in someone's life," Minnich said. "The most rewarding part of my career has been the human connections I've made and the fulfillment that comes from knowing that my knowledge, skills, and compassion can truly impact someone's life."

Minnich also expressed that his education at Lebanon Valley helped set him up for success in his career today. 

"There were several fantastic science professors at LVC who inspired me to pursue a career in healthcare and helped prepare me for medical school and beyond," Minnich said. "Their dedication to teaching various scientific and medical concepts helped build the foundation for the rest of my career."

Minnich excelled academically during his time at Lebanon Valley, earning multiple honors for his success in the classroom. In 2017, he was selected as the first United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA)/Nike Scholar All-American in program history. Minnich also received Middle Atlantic Conference (MAC) Academic All-Conference honors as a junior while earning recognition on the MAC Academic Honor Roll three times. 

Minnich was a standout player on the field as well, receiving several accolades during his playing career with the Dutchmen. The former midfielder garnered Intercollegiate Men's Lacrosse Association (IMLCA) Second Team All-Region honors twice for strong campaigns in 2016 and 2017. The 2016 award marked the first time an LVC men's lacrosse player collected All-Region recognition, as he was listed on the inaugural IMLCA Division III All-Region Team. Minnich was also tabbed an All-MAC Commonwealth First Team honoree in his junior and senior seasons.

During his four campaigns, Minnich picked up 178 ground balls, which currently ranks as the sixth-most in the program's history. He also tallied 33 points with 29 goals and four assists on the offensive end. Minnich said that one of his favorite career memories came in his last game with Lebanon Valley, when he netted three goals for a hat trick at Widener University in the play-in game of the 2017 MAC Commonwealth Tournament.

"I have to thank my coaches for putting me in a position to succeed on the field," Minnich said. "My teammates also pushed me to be the best that I could be each day in practice. I was never the biggest, the fastest, or the strongest, but with hard work, anything is possible. I am thankful to LVC for granting me the opportunity to achieve my goals both on and off the field."

Minnich expressed that he is grateful for the mentorship he received from the coaches of the men's lacrosse team. 

"Coach [John] Haus always takes care of his guys, and he teaches you the important things that help build the foundation for a successful life beyond LVC," Minnich said. "Coach [Justin] Kieffer is a great coach and an even better person who I will always consider a friend, and Coach [Dan] Frantz demanded excellence and taught us that hard work always pays off. The entire coaching staff made LVC a great place to be."

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