By TENA L. COOK, CSC MARKETING COORDINATOR
CHADRON – Chadron State College’s Health Professions students advancing to professional schools were honored during a banquet at Country Kitchen last week.
The guest speaker was an alumnus of the program, Joseph Keating of Casper, Wyoming. He will graduate from the University of Washington Medical School and has been accepted to Vanderbilt University for Anesthesiology.
Keating said the opportunity to speak eight years after advancing through the program was a valuable time to reflect and offer advice.
“Professional school will be a rough adjustment. There will be lots of studying, exams, and the stress that comes with that. Chadron is an excellent program. You already have the skills you need to adapt to the academic rigor. If you can swing it here, you will do just fine,” Keating said.
Keating offered several tips to the students.
“It’s okay to cry with your patients, but don’t cry first, and don’t cry the loudest,” he said. “Medical school exposed me to more humanity than I ever could have prepared for. People come to you for help at their most vulnerable. It is an incredible privilege and an incredible burden.”
He advised the students to carve out time to deal with their emotions.
“Take care of yourself. No matter how unaffected you may feel by inevitable tragic patient encounters, when it rains, everyone gets wet,” Keating said. “You made the right choice, this field is so worth it. You meet people who will inspire you with the way they overcome seemingly insurmountable adversity.
Buckle up. Your life will never be boring.”
Students by Discipline and Professional School
Chiropractic
Alli Novak of Dorchester, Neb.: Cleveland Chiropractic
Dentistry
University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC)
Jamie Graff of Gothenburg, Neb.
Jaylee Shaw of Sidney, Neb
Ashley Christianson of Lusk, Wyo.: Kansas City University
Jordan Nwalor of Gilbert, Ariz: University of Houston
Dental Hygiene
Kayla Brown of Glendive, Mont.: Sheridan College
Medicine
Creighton Harrington of Loup City, Neb.: UNMC
Velvet Jessen of Harrold, S.D.: University of South Dakota Sanford Medicine
Medical Laboratory Science
Sheila Renteria-Salgado of Norfolk, Neb.: UNMC
Nursing
UNMC Scottsbluff
Alexandra Coffman of Ogallala, Neb.
Natalie Keenan-Vergil of Bridgeport, Neb.
Katelyn Ott of Morrill, Neb.
Lacie Vach of Peetz, Colo.
Andrea Pearson of Gillette, Wyo.
Taigen Ruff of Sutherland, Neb.
Mariah Markus of Loup City, Neb.: Creighton University
Pharmacy
Morgan Jaggers of Sidney, Neb.: UNMC
Aubrey Stromberg of Columbus, Neb.: University of Wyoming
Physical Therapy
Ashley Dearmont of Loup City, Neb.: UNMC
Katherine Meuret of Norfolk, Neb.: UNMC
Karissa Rasmussen of Camp Crook, S.D.: University of South Dakota
Physician Assistant
UNMC
Carlee Brownawell of Hershey, Neb.
Quinn Koop of Madrid, Neb.
Grace Redinger of Hastings, Neb.
Podiatric Medicine
Emily Evans of North Platte, Neb.: Barry University
Radiology Technology
Regional West Medical Center
Shelby Bewley of Gering, Neb.
Jacob Cormack of Severance, Colo.
Breeanna Meats of Craig, Colo.
Sarah Wallace of Newell, S.D.
Jordan Economou of Chadron: Bellin College
McKenzie Andrew of Sidney, Neb.: UNMC
Respiratory Therapy
Claire Lindsay of Wayne, Neb.: Nebraska Methodist
Veterinary Medicine
Alexa Shald of O’Neill, Neb.: UNL or Iowa State University
Brianna Smith of Vivian, S.D.: Oklahoma State University
Veterinary Technician
Kayden Singpiel of Scottsbluff, Neb.: Eastern Wyoming College
Doctoral Programs
Kinsley Mason of Chadron: University of South Carolina
Emmanuella Tchona of Republic of Benin: University of Wisconsin Medical College
Gunnar Wainscott of Newcastle, Wyo.: Fort Hays State University
Career
Carolyn Drake of Omaha, Neb.: AmeriCorps College Possible Team
Bryan Zutavern of North Platte, Neb.: North Platte Public Schools