We are pleased to announce that Jena Kruger and Chioma Okeafor have been selected as recipients of a scholarship sponsored by the Robert M. Heavenrich, MD, Endowed Fund in Pediatrics. This endowed fund was established in 1992 in honor of Dr. Robert M. Heavenrich of Saginaw. The scholarship is presented annually to a student who is interested in pursuing pediatrics; with a preference given to students who are training in the Saginaw community. The student must have shown through involvement, an interest in advocating for children’s issues, demonstration of enthusiasm in the caring and compassion of patients and must demonstrate academic excellence.
JEna Kruger
Jena Kruger, currently a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, at the Grand Rapids Campus, has expressed an interest in pursuing a career in Pediatrics. Prior to attending Michigan State University, Jena completed her undergraduate degree at Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science in Science and Technology Studies and a Specialization in Bioethics, Humanities and Society.
She has received clerkship honors in her pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, psychiatry and surgery rotations. As a result, Jena has been nominated for the Alpha Omega Alpha National honors society, the highest honor a physician, resident and student could receive. Some comments on Jena’s evaluations during her clinical rotations demonstrate the very high regard she was held in by her preceptors and include: “Her basic science knowledge is outstanding; Her histories and physicals were excellent as were her chart notes. She did a good job at incorporating medical knowledge to the clinical setting in order to come up with good assessments and plans. She is a bright student who is a very quick learner, and is mature and responsible and hard working. "
As a testament to her excellence, Jena was nominated for the 2009 Burke Award for Pediatrics at the Grand Rapids campus. Jena has also been quite engaged in research. She has been a research assistant on a study involving twins which included her proctoring of subject questionnaires, measuring body weight and body fat indices, data collection, entry and production of a student newsletter. She has also been involved in a group project on self-removal of sutures that was presented at the Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center Research Day. Jena has also been involved in volunteer activities. She has been a Medical Student Mentor in the Big Sib’s Program at MSU and a Crisis Counselor at the Listening Ear Crisis Intervention Center, East Lansing.
Chioma Okeafor
Chioma Okeafor has expressed a strong interest in pursuing a residency that will lead to a career in Pediatrics. She is currently a fourth year medical student at Michigan State University, College of Human Medicine, also at the Grand Rapids Campus. Chioma received her Bachelor of Science in Nutritional Sciences from Michigan State University. She has successfully completed all of the required clerkships she has taken thus far with a descriptor of “Excellence” in Pediatrics.
Several faculty members in their clinical assessment of Chioma noted the following attributes about her: Chioma is a great student and will be an outstanding physician! Chioma was always very professional, appropriate and respectful of our practitioners, staff and patients. She exhibited a pleasant attitude at all times and was a pleasure to work with. She communicated in a caring and compassionate way with the patients and their families.”
She was selected for the Leadership in Medicine for the Underserved/Vulnerable Program as part of her clinical training in Saginaw in addition to the Brazee Scholarship and the W. Donald Weston Award Year II Scholarship. As a Research Volunteer with Dr. Rae Schnuth, Chioma was responsible for reviewing abstracts and conducting a literature review to assess the participation of underrepresented groups in clinical research at a community based hospital. She also worked with Dr. Schnuth at the Saginaw Soup Kitchen conducting a needs assessment for a study: “A Pilot Study to Determine the Health Needs of Adult Clients of the Old Town Soup Kitchen in Saginaw, Michigan.” She provided two intervention lectures based on the Needs Assessment on diabetes and dental care and took blood pressures for the attendants of the Soup Kitchen. As a result of her research, Chioma participated in two poster presentations and one oral presentation.
Service and Leadership is another area that Chioma has consistently shown strength in. She has served as a volunteer for the Foundation for the Medical Relief of Children providing mobile health services for underserved Nicaraguan children and their parents for two weeks, then provided mobile health services in Costa Rica to Nicaraguan immigrants and underserved Costa Ricans at the earthquake ruin site, rural areas and in Alajuelita for a month. She has also served as a Healthcare volunteer for the Mercy Foundation for Medical Relief of Uromi, Nigeria. She assisted with surgeries and sanitation of the surgical theater in the mobile clinic. She performed vitals and aided in the triage of patients based on their needs and provided prescriptions to patients based on the supplies the organization to Nigeria. She also served as a volunteer for "Medical School the Musical" performing a parody on the experiences for first year medical students by changing the words to famous musical songs. Chioma also was a performer for the Lansing Community Riverwalk Theater, performing the musical, “Dreamgirls,” for the Lansing community. She has worked as an anatomy tutor and teaching assistant for the College of Human Medicine Anatomy Lab.