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With the month of November underway and Turkey Day approaching quickly, I am taking some extra time in my daily thoughts of thankfulness to recognize and acknowledge several people. There are hundreds of people that I would like to take the moment to express how thankful I am. THANK YOU—to my family + friends, peers + professors, campers + counselors, local community + small town, doctors + Duhawks—for all the continued support, thoughts, and prayers today and everyday throughout this incredible journey. There are a couple of people, however, that I owe standing ovations to, my letter of recommendation/evaluation authors, for taking the time out of their busy lives willingly to write to the admission committees in my support:
1. Bonnie & Rick Svehla—Resident Treatment Coordinators.
I had the honor of taking care of both their mother and father when I worked at Pine Ridge Assisted Living. This lovely couple always went out of their way to support me during my high school basketball career and now my medical journey. Their encouragement and gratitude is just two of the perks of living in a small town!
2. Dr. Carl Binz—Loras College Analytical Chemistry Professor.
This man was a savior and a constant motivator. As my academic advisor, chemistry prof, and research instructor/editor he got me through the ups and downs of research and classwork, especially with his “joke Fridays” (his two little jokes to brighten up anyone’s day and crack a laugh during lecture).
3. Ms. Catherine Johnson—Camp Boggy Creek Activities Coordinator.
Catherine has such a beautiful spirit that just shines hope! She gave me the gift of witnessing thousands of miracles on the 232 acres of camp. She taught me how to celebrate every second, every small victory, how to play, be safe…but most of all, how to have FUN!
4. Dr. David Speckhard—Loras College Biochemistry Professor.
I had Dr. Speckhard my senior year for Biochem 1 and 2. There was NEVER a dull moment with our lab sessions, protein projects, and Biochemistry for Dummies textbook. I am one proud Science Nerd!
5. Ms. Dawn Cogan—St. Mark Youth Enrichment Executive Director.
I have NEVER in my life went to a job interview and instantly just clicked with someone. Dawn is a beautiful and amazing woman. Her compassionate heart truly rubbed off on me and gave me life again. If you need anything, this woman is my Superwoman!
6. Dr. Debra Ciasulli—Psychiatrist and Internal Medicine Physician.
Deb is my older Sistah! God put her into my life when I was at my all time low, not just for advice, friendship, or a mentor; but she became family. I cannot tell you the endless minutes or hours we spent together coming up with inside jokes and laughing until we cried searching the web. Deb took me under her wing for everything: study schedules, the MCAT, the interview, the pep talks and now I get to someday become an alumni of Ross like her!
7. Ms. Ellen Mathein—Northcentral Technical College EMT Instructor.
Ellen was my EMT instructor this past year. Her commitment and passion to teaching is so inspiring and influenced me to really challenge myself and give back to the community that has always supported and encouraged me. She went out of her way for all of her students and cheered us on like a proud mother during our National Registry testing.
8. President Collins—Loras College President.
I have never met an individual so devoted and so committed to the student body, service, or a school. This man is superman and I am so honored to be a Duhawk and incredibly thankful for every second I spent at Loras. Everyday I am inspired to Be More.
9. Dr. Richard Anderson—Loras College Sociology Professor.
I took my first EVER sociology class sophomore year with this man and was instantly hooked in the first 5 minutes of class. Rick’s passion is expressed in his teaching style and even allowed me to explore my personal sociological imagination with a class I designed myself tying in Sociology & Oncology. Let’s just say that because of Rick, I made it my minor; and if time allotted, I would have added it to the major list.
10. Dr. Scott Carpenter—Emergency Medicine Physician.
Dr. Carpenter “slapped” me into shape and encouraged me to listen to that little voice of hope inside of me to pursue my dream. He reached out to me the second I stepped foot as an employee of the hospital and witnessed my progression to date…Here I Stand Chasing my Dream and I will be damned if anybody is going to stand in my way.
1. Bonnie & Rick Svehla—Resident Treatment Coordinators.
I had the honor of taking care of both their mother and father when I worked at Pine Ridge Assisted Living. This lovely couple always went out of their way to support me during my high school basketball career and now my medical journey. Their encouragement and gratitude is just two of the perks of living in a small town!
2. Dr. Carl Binz—Loras College Analytical Chemistry Professor.
This man was a savior and a constant motivator. As my academic advisor, chemistry prof, and research instructor/editor he got me through the ups and downs of research and classwork, especially with his “joke Fridays” (his two little jokes to brighten up anyone’s day and crack a laugh during lecture).
3. Ms. Catherine Johnson—Camp Boggy Creek Activities Coordinator.
Catherine has such a beautiful spirit that just shines hope! She gave me the gift of witnessing thousands of miracles on the 232 acres of camp. She taught me how to celebrate every second, every small victory, how to play, be safe…but most of all, how to have FUN!
4. Dr. David Speckhard—Loras College Biochemistry Professor.
I had Dr. Speckhard my senior year for Biochem 1 and 2. There was NEVER a dull moment with our lab sessions, protein projects, and Biochemistry for Dummies textbook. I am one proud Science Nerd!
5. Ms. Dawn Cogan—St. Mark Youth Enrichment Executive Director.
I have NEVER in my life went to a job interview and instantly just clicked with someone. Dawn is a beautiful and amazing woman. Her compassionate heart truly rubbed off on me and gave me life again. If you need anything, this woman is my Superwoman!
6. Dr. Debra Ciasulli—Psychiatrist and Internal Medicine Physician.
Deb is my older Sistah! God put her into my life when I was at my all time low, not just for advice, friendship, or a mentor; but she became family. I cannot tell you the endless minutes or hours we spent together coming up with inside jokes and laughing until we cried searching the web. Deb took me under her wing for everything: study schedules, the MCAT, the interview, the pep talks and now I get to someday become an alumni of Ross like her!
7. Ms. Ellen Mathein—Northcentral Technical College EMT Instructor.
Ellen was my EMT instructor this past year. Her commitment and passion to teaching is so inspiring and influenced me to really challenge myself and give back to the community that has always supported and encouraged me. She went out of her way for all of her students and cheered us on like a proud mother during our National Registry testing.
8. President Collins—Loras College President.
I have never met an individual so devoted and so committed to the student body, service, or a school. This man is superman and I am so honored to be a Duhawk and incredibly thankful for every second I spent at Loras. Everyday I am inspired to Be More.
9. Dr. Richard Anderson—Loras College Sociology Professor.
I took my first EVER sociology class sophomore year with this man and was instantly hooked in the first 5 minutes of class. Rick’s passion is expressed in his teaching style and even allowed me to explore my personal sociological imagination with a class I designed myself tying in Sociology & Oncology. Let’s just say that because of Rick, I made it my minor; and if time allotted, I would have added it to the major list.
10. Dr. Scott Carpenter—Emergency Medicine Physician.
Dr. Carpenter “slapped” me into shape and encouraged me to listen to that little voice of hope inside of me to pursue my dream. He reached out to me the second I stepped foot as an employee of the hospital and witnessed my progression to date…Here I Stand Chasing my Dream and I will be damned if anybody is going to stand in my way.