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Opening doors to opportunities in the health field

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 18:11:17 +0000

Opening doors to opportunities in the health field msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 09/08/2026 - 14:11

Tammy LaRue’s door is always open. Her network in the medical field is vast. And her care for each individual student is clear.

“With each student, I’m trying to find out what are your gifts, what are your strengths, what are your pitfalls, what are the things that make you tick and are going to make you excited and make you stay for the long haul,” said LaRue.

LaRue, a medical doctor with several years of practice under her belt, now serves as director of pre-health advising for ��Ƶ. She understands that each student has their own unique path, and she’s determined to help them find it.

“I’m really trying to investigate who the person in front of me is and help them make a plan that fits for them,” said LaRue.

Proven track record

As a medical doctor who has taken the MCATs, applied to and gone through medical school, and practiced medicine for years, she’s been there, done that.

“I think my experience lends itself really well to our students,” said LaRue, who admits having a medical doctor as a pre-health advisor isn’t common at most peer institutions. “I think that’s a huge advantage for ��Ƶ students because I’ve already walked the path that they’re about to take.”

While LaRue understands the path to the medical field well, her journey there was less than textbook. She graduated from ��Ƶ in 1998 with a recreation degree, spent a few years as a youth pastor before returning to get a master’s degree in counseling from Western Michigan University. She worked as a private practice counselor for several years before returning to get her MD from the MSU College of Human Medicine. She practiced for several years as a pediatrician in Grand Rapids, Michigan, before returning to her alma mater in her pre-health advisor role.

Vast network, growing market

“I did my residency at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital so everyone I went to medical school is infiltrated throughout the whole community,” said LaRue. “I have a ton of connections in Grand Rapids.”

And that bodes well for ��Ƶ students especially considering Grand Rapids is rich in medical resources and facilities, and the opportunities for students and graduates are vast and expanding. This past month it was announced that a 780,000 square foot medical facility is being added to Grand Rapids’ already robust medical mile downtown.

And while opportunities are expanding in a city considered to be one of the best places to start a career, LaRue says ��Ƶ graduates have and will continue to stand out.

The ��Ƶ difference

“When I was in med school I could tell who the ��Ƶ students were because their ethical reasoning was just beyond other students,” said LaRue. “I get compliments from supervisors and healthcare workers all the time that ��Ƶ students are hard workers, they show up and do what they are supposed to do, but they are also compassionate and oftentimes curious, asking a lot of good questions.”

Are ��Ƶ grads equipped with the necessary technical expertise? Without question. And the data proves it out as ��Ƶ grads are accepted into medical and PA school at double the national average.

But what sets ��Ƶ students apart in the minds of employers isn’t taught out of a textbook but rather integrated throughout classes within and outside one’s major.

“Integrating Christian faith and values is part of everything that we do here, and I think it’s part of why our students are excellent,” said LaRue. “When they go out, they see the missional part of medicine. They see that everyone is made in God’s image and if everyone is an image bearer of God, how do we serve them and how do we serve them well?”

LaRue learned that as a student herself and lived it out since in ministry, counseling, medicine, and now at ��Ƶ as she partners with students and helps them discover where God is leading them next.

“From the time they step on campus we are talking with them about the experiences they can gain which will provide them with a unique, comprehensive, and competitive application portfolio that showcases who they are and why they have chosen their health profession. This gives them an edge during the application process,” said LaRue. “I want to take care of all of them as though they were my kids, to make sure they can reach their goals. That personal interaction is just not something you can get at a big school.”

Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - 12:00

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UM Health-West named sports medicine provider for ��Ƶ Athletics

msk23@calvin.edu — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 18:04:43 +0000

UM Health-West named sports medicine provider for ��Ƶ Athletics msk23@calvin.edu Tue, 09/01/2026 - 14:04

As ��Ƶ student athletes return to campus for a new academic year, they have a new team supporting them. University of Michigan Health-West is now the sports medicine provider for ��Ƶ Athletics.

The partnership brings UM Health-West sports medicine physicians and its comprehensive network of care to ��Ƶ student athletes competing in NCAA and ACHA intercollegiate athletics. Orthopaedic Associates of Michigan (OAM) will serve as UM Health-West’s orthopaedic partner, providing orthopaedic care, rehabilitation and physical therapy services. UM Health-West and OAM sports medicine experts will also provide medical coverage on the sidelines at ��Ƶ men’s football games.

A homecoming

For Edwin Kornoelje, D.O., medical director of sports medicine at UM Health-West, the partnership is also a homecoming. Kornoelje earned his undergraduate degree in exercise science from what was then ��Ƶ College before beginning his career in medicine.

“��Ƶ is where my journey in sports medicine really began, so it’s special to come back in this role and help care for today’s student athletes,” Kornoelje said. “Our goal is to keep athletes healthy, help them perform at their best and make sure they have access to the right care when an injury happens. ��Ƶ has always placed an emphasis on caring for the whole person, and that fits very well with how we practice sports medicine at UM Health-West.”

A team approach

That team approach extends to OAM, giving ��Ƶ athletes access to orthopaedic expertise, physical therapy and rehabilitation when an injury requires additional care.

“When an athlete is injured, timely care and a strong rehabilitation plan can make all the difference,” said Peter Theut, M.D., physician president of OAM and member of the OAM sports medicine team. “We’re looking forward to working alongside UM Health-West to help ��Ƶ athletes recover and safely get back to competition.”

UM Health-West sports medicine has provided care to West Michigan athletes for 30 years. Its team includes physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers who work together on injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.

A proven track record

The partnership builds on UM Health-West’s extensive presence in West Michigan athletics. Its sports medicine team provides medical services for professional, collegiate, and high school programs across the region, including the Grand Rapids Griffins and Grand Rapids Rise, as well as numerous community races and athletic events.

“We want every Knight to know they have a strong team behind them, whether they’re competing, training, or recovering from an injury,” said Dr. James Timmer, director of athletics at ��Ƶ. “UM Health-West shares our commitment to caring for the whole student-athlete. Their sports medicine expertise and broader network of care will be a tremendous resource for our athletes and coaches.”

��Ƶ Athletics sponsors 23 men’s and women’s varsity sports, including football, basketball, volleyball, soccer, baseball, softball, swimming and diving, track and field, cross country, golf, tennis and lacrosse. ��Ƶ also fields two ACHA men’s hockey teams.

UM Health-West sports medicine provides care for athletes of all ages and skill levels, from collegiate and professional athletes to high school competitors and weekend warriors. Sports medicine care is available at seven UM Health-West neighborhood offices across the region.

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 - 12:00

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(From left to right): Miriam Sikora, Brock Bevil, Ashley Garrett, Joe Dykstra, Ryan Sheeran, Kennedie Baareman

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How a Hands-On Nutrition Lab Prepares Students for Health Careers and Life

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 14:11:18 +0000

How a Hands-On Nutrition Lab Prepares Students for Health Careers and Life msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 02/25/2026 - 09:11

From doctors to physical therapists, nutritionists to chiropractors—healthcare professionals agree that nutrition plays a key role in preventing all kinds of disease.

��Ƶ faculty have long had ample expertise to teach students about nutrition. Now, they have a physical space that matches that intellectual reputation. A new donor and grant-funded state-of-the-art Nutrition Lab provides ��Ƶ students with a unique opportunity to see how science can shape healthier lives and communities.

“I’m quite excited for our students. This space provides them with yet another opportunity to connect their brains with their hands,” said Adejoke Ayoola, dean for the School of Health. “I’m confident that our students spending time in this state-of-the-art lab will inspire them and open their minds to other areas of nutrition.”

The lab features a full teaching kitchen with convection ovens, induction cooktops, commercial dishwashing, prep stations, blenders, mixers, and dedicated pantry space. And the state-of-the-art projection system will allow students to follow along with live demonstrations. With a flexible design, it can function as both a kitchen and a 36-seat classroom.

Learning by doing

“In the past, nutrition was mostly a class of just knowledge, but now we are able to give students knowledge and skills—they are learning the content through experiential learning,” said Kerrie Berends, professor of kinesiology.

Berends is the first professor to teach in the new lab. She said it’s provided her a blank canvas to redesign a course she’s taught so many times before.

“Student participation and attention have increased from what I’ve experienced in the past. There’s 100% engagement,” said Berends.

“I love the mix of being able to learn more nutritional information from the teachings on Tuesdays and then to visualize what actual good nutrition looks like by putting it into practice with the hands-on lab on Thursdays,” said Sylvie Mulder ’28, a sophomore studying kinesiology on a pre-PT track.

Preparing in industry standard spaces

The Nutrition Lab is just the latest example of ��Ƶ continuing to expand the hands-on learning opportunities for students. Within the past five years, in the School of Health alone, the university has added a cadaver lab, biomechanics and balance lab, exercise bod pod, nursing simulation, and virtual simulation lab to its portfolio.

“We now have industry standard spaces,” said Arlene Hoogewerf, who has a doctorate in nutrition and is dean of natural sciences. “This gives us greater legitimacy and credibility.”

Faculty say the volume of experiential learning opportunities students have on-campus in the School of Health is impressive among its peers and is even comparable to some larger universities.

“When it comes to the major equipment, we have everything anyone else has,” said Berends. “��Ƶ students who go onto grad school say their first semester was review or that they came in with a leg up because they were familiar with certain equipment whereas it was new for some of their peers from other institutions.”

Learning career and life skills

And while students appreciate how the hands-on learning opportunities they’re gaining in the Nutrition Lab will directly impact their future careers, they also see both the short-term and long-term benefits for all of life.

“This is super applicable for college students. We are learning how to make affordable nutritious meals—understanding how to make affordable options that will fuel our bodies and provide us good nutrition,” said Mulder.

“We’re trying to give them knowledge and skills that have both professional and personal application. Who doesn’t need kitchen skills, better nutritional knowledge—what is organic, how to read a nutritional label, how to cook vegetables so they maintain their maximum nutritional value, how certain foods help with blood sugar regulation,” said Berends. “We are trying to expand what their choices will be in the future.

Opening up additional opportunities

And the university isn’t keeping this gift to themselves. This summer, the space will open up a much more robust learning environment for their Summer H.E.A.L.T.H. Camp, which is a weeklong summer camp for young people from mostly medically underserved communities in Grand Rapids to learn more about their own health and health careers.

“We’ve been offering this camp for a decade now and there’s always been a nutrition component as part of it,” said Hoogewerf. “This new space will provide a much better experience and will allow more hands-on learning opportunities for the participants.”

While the Nutrition Lab is housed in the School of Health, leaders are excited to imagine the various ways academic departments from across campus may use the space for teaching and research and the creative opportunities the space will open up for community engagement.

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - 12:00

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Expanding Access to Speech Therapy Through Innovation and Partnership

lbl3@calvin.edu — Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:41:30 +0000

Expanding Access to Speech Therapy Through Innovation and Partnership lbl3@calvin.edu Thu, 11/13/2025 - 10:41

Across the country, many schools struggle to provide consistent speech-language therapy for students who need it most. Through innovative partnerships, ��Ƶ’s Master of Arts in Speech-Language Pathology program is helping to change that.

As the program expanded—adding a distance education cohort alongside the on-campus one—��Ƶ’s need for clinical placement sites grew. Recognizing the nationwide shortage of speech therapists, ��Ƶ began forming partnerships with schools to provide virtual speech therapy services to students who might otherwise go without support.

Rehoboth Christian School in New Mexico was the first to join. Located in a rural desert community serving many Native American students, Rehoboth’s assigned speech-language therapist was stretched thin, leaving many students without needed services.

“We’re so thankful for this partnership and the opportunities our students now have to access speech that we didn’t have before,” shared Emily Jeninga, Rehoboth’s student support coordinator.

Graduate clinicians work with students who might not meet strict eligibility criteria but still struggle with communication in ways that impact their learning and relationships. These challenges often extend beyond speech sounds to language, literacy, and social communication.

Graduate students appreciate the opportunity to serve in this way, too. Cynthia Gardenshire, a graduate student clinician from Colorado, said:

“It provides access to services they would not have otherwise. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and outreach to a community in need.”

Today, ��Ƶ partners with schools nationwide, helping hundreds of students make meaningful progress. These partnerships also introduce more families to ��Ƶ.

“I was in a virtual call with a prospective student recently,” shared Emily Vedra, director of operations for ��Ƶ’s speech pathology program. “It turned out that the student attended a school where ��Ƶ’s graduate clinicians serve, which helped foster awareness of ��Ƶ as a great place to go to college.”

With funding challenges continuing in many districts, ��Ƶ’s program offers a sustainable and mutually beneficial solution—connecting schools with dedicated clinicians-in-training while giving students essential experience.

Know a school that could benefit from additional speech therapy resources? ��Ƶ is always looking to expand its network of clinical partners. Contact Emily Vedra with questions, emily.vedra@calvin.edu.

Thursday, November 13, 2025 - 12:00

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From classroom to delivery room: the impact of a ��Ƶ education

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 08 Oct 2025 13:12:41 +0000

From classroom to delivery room: the impact of a ��Ƶ education msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 10/08/2025 - 09:12

“I’ve seen it all.”

These are the words Stephanie Flood ‘89 shared with her grandma when she stopped by her house to pick up her son after a long shift in the labor and delivery room. Her grandma’s next words would stick with her for decades: “Stephanie, you will never see it all.”

“I never forgot those words,” said Flood. “I took that with me into every time I met a patient, every drama, every birth, every crisis.”

Those words were spoken to Flood just six months into her career as a labor and delivery room nurse. Now, nearly four decades later, the ��Ƶ alum still hasn’t seen it all, but she’s certainly seen a lot. And she’s now sharing her experiences in a new book: When There are Two Patients in One Body.

“I wrote this book to give voice to nurses, especially those of us in Labor and Delivery, whose work is often overlooked,” said Flood. “Being a delivery nurse is far more than just ‘a great job where you get to cuddle babies.’ It is a vocation that demands resilience, empathy, and an unflinching dedication to supporting patients through life’s pivotal moments.”

Building on a solid foundation

Flood has certainly learned a lot on the job, but it was the preparation prior to heading into the unit four decades earlier that laid a solid foundation for providing 36 years of great care.

“Choosing ��Ƶ was a decision that changed my life,” said Flood. “I think what the liberal arts taught me was to keep thinking, to never stop that. It lit a spark inside of me. It wasn’t until I went to ��Ƶ that I really started to embrace how important learning was and thinking critically.”

Living into a calling

In her book, Flood not only recalls stories of joy and heartbreak from inside the delivery room, but also the ways these moments were profoundly formative. As these stories unfold, readers gain insight into how factors such as healthcare access, race, culture, socioeconomic status, and education profoundly shape each birth experience. Flood has seen this firsthand thousands of times over a nearly four-decade career. And it started with her own personal experience as a patient.

“I went into Labor and Delivery because of my own first birth experience and the nurse at my bedside,” said Flood. “It was a very difficult delivery, and this nurse held my hand and mothered me … and I thought she just changed my world. And I honor her in the book, and she is the reason I went into nursing.”

Inspiring wholehearted living

Now, recently retired from her field, Flood is hoping to inspire more considering the nursing profession to enter into it with their whole hearts, remembering whatever they do unto the least of these, they are doing unto God.

“I always wanted to treat my patients the way I wanted to be treated, as honestly and lovingly as possible. That was important to me and that comes directly from my faith,” said Flood. “Learn how to listen, because if you stop talking long enough to listen you will not believe what you can hear from a patient’s words and actions, their stories and interactions tell you so much.”

Wednesday, October 8, 2025 - 12:00

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Liberal arts education expands opportunities for future doctor

msk23@calvin.edu — Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:34:48 +0000

Liberal arts education expands opportunities for future doctor msk23@calvin.edu Thu, 09/11/2025 - 07:34

Mike Liang came to ��Ƶ with a clear goal: to prepare to become a doctor.

One year in, his goal hasn’t changed, but he says ��Ƶ’s liberal arts education is giving him a broader perspective with direct value-adding benefits to his career path.

“��Ƶ’s approach to education is preparing me well. For example, my professors have recommended I step out of my comfort zone, which for me was science,” said Liang. “Both of my pre-med advisors encouraged me to try a communication class because as a doctor I’ll need to not only present evidence but also communicate with my patients well.”

Out of comfort, into opportunity

So Liang took a communication course in which he not only learned valuable skills, but he also wrote and delivered a speech which was nominated by his communication professor, Kathi Groenendyk, for the Norton Speaker’s Prize. Liang’s persuasive speech was on food waste, where he tried to persuade his audience to take tangible actions to reduce the amount of food waste at ��Ƶ's dining hall. While the judging continues, Norton asked Liang for permission to include his speech video in their collection of exemplary presentations.

“Since I’ve been at ��Ƶ, this has not happened in an oral rhetoric class,” said Groenendyk. “Most textbook publishers choose examples from much larger institutions. I believe this is a unique honor.”

“I never thought a chemistry student would have his speech included in a textbook. I didn’t see how those things fit together,” said Liang.

Equipped with skills that enhance any career path

What Liang is seeing is how the soft skills he’s learning through his liberal arts education directly applies to his field of study.

This past summer at the end of his internship at the Van Andel Institute in downtown Grand Rapids where he did cancer research, Liang had to give both an oral and poster presentation.

“I was able to use the skills I learned in Comm 101 to clearly outline what I was going to talk about in a way that communicated science in simple language for those who are not as familiar with my field,” said Liang. “I feel trained in how to talk to people well, to present clear and concisely, and that will help me in the future.”

Student preparation impresses industry professionals

The principal investigator for Liang’s research project was impressed both with his presentation and also how well he was prepared coming in.

“I took an accelerated general chemistry class at ��Ƶ my first semester and that gave me a step ahead. And then I took analytical chemistry, which exposed me to a lot of different instruments and experimental methods that were relevant to my research at Van Andel,” said Liang. “��Ƶ’s Phage Research program through the biology department taught me valuable lab skills and cultivated my ability to come up with a hypothesis and to design experiments. All of these experiences prepared me well to land the internship.”

So too did Liang’s proximity to his professors.

Surrounded by a community that cares

“I received two recommendation letters for my internship from professors who I took both a lab and lecture with. So, they could speak to both my lab and scientific skills,” said Liang. “I’ve been blown away by how professors care about us and how they are willing to engage in 1-on-1 dialogue with you from everything from faith to science to whatever subject.”

Liang also found the Christ-centered community among his peers and professors to be particularly formative.

“The best thing about my experience so far has been living on the honors floor and the community that is here. I didn’t expect my floor to be this vibrant and this engaged with challenging topics. We have discussions late at night,” said Liang. “And I didn’t expect the professors to be this vibrant, engaging, enthusiastic about what they are teaching.”

“The communities I found at ��Ƶ exceeded my expectations. Being at a Christian college is so important because you have such in depth faith dialogues with your roommates, floormates, and profs,” said Liang. “Students with such busy lives sit down and have meals together and talk about Jesus.”

Thursday, September 11, 2025 - 12:00

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Beyond the Classroom: On Set of The Chosen

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:49:39 +0000

Beyond the Classroom: On Set of The Chosen msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 08/27/2025 - 08:49

When summer hits, professors practice what they preach—leaning into areas of interest that oftentimes go beyond their immediate field of study.

This summer, Ashley Woldman, a lecturer in the nursing department at ��Ƶ, had the opportunity to serve as a background extra on The Chosen—a film series about the life and ministry of Jesus while on Earth.

“I road tripped down to Texas (where the filming took place) in August to film for three days. While I can't share everything that I took part on during filming (due to spoilers), I can share that the majority of my filming involved the sentencing of Jesus to die on the cross,” said Woldman.

How did this opportunity come about?

I have been a loyal fan of The Chosen for a few years now, and I'm part of various email and text notifications from The Chosen. Earlier this spring, a message was sent out that the team needed background extras for season 6, which is mainly centered around Jesus' death. I followed all the appropriate steps to sign up as a background extra, and a few days after signing up, I was notified that I was officially accepted.

What was your favorite aspect of the experience?

My favorite aspect of the experience was being surrounded by so many loyal and enthusiastic Christ followers. It was humbling to hear their stories of faith and see how joyful they were about their opportunity to help spread the gospel in a very unique way.

How did you develop this interest outside of ��Ƶ?

I initially heard about The Chosen through a woman from my small group at church. After I started watching the first season, I fell in love. I love The Chosen because it truly makes the gospel come to life in a way that can really foster great understanding and relatability. It's a form of spiritual self-care for me, as I find a lot of comfort and peace from watching it.

Any way to apply what you learned during your summer adventures to your work with students at ��Ƶ?

I have used clips from The Chosen in many of my classroom teachings. With being in the nursing field, I particularly gravitate towards one part of The Chosen that talks about pain and suffering. This part goes into detail on how people can view their suffering as part of God's plan and as purposeful in their lives. It really allows students to see how there can be hope in suffering.

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 12:00

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Summer Faculty Adventures: Exploring Passions Beyond the Classroom

msk23@calvin.edu — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 12:42:08 +0000

Summer Faculty Adventures: Exploring Passions Beyond the Classroom msk23@calvin.edu Wed, 08/27/2025 - 08:42

When summer hits, professors practice what they preach—leaning into areas of interest that oftentimes go beyond their immediate field of study.

This summer, a French professor put his photography on wide display, the director of student success traversed El Cap in Yosemite in one day, and a nursing lecturer was on set of a groundbreaking TV series. As they head back to campus and the classroom for the fall semester, we asked them to recap their summer adventures.

Kyle Heys – Epic Climb on El Capitan

Ashley Woldman – On Set of The Chosen

Otto Selles – Picture-Perfect Summer

Wednesday, August 27, 2025 - 12:00

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Q&A with Entrada grad Rayn Rutley

msk23@calvin.edu — Thu, 31 Jul 2025 19:50:23 +0000

Q&A with Entrada grad Rayn Rutley msk23@calvin.edu Thu, 07/31/2025 - 15:50

Rayn Rutley ’29 is from Fenton, Michigan. When she was a senior in high school, ��Ƶ came on her radar. As she started to dive deeper into her college search, she discovered a sense of community at ��Ƶ and got the sense that the university cared holistically for its students.

So, this summer, she decided to get a taste of the college experience through the Entrada Scholars Program. Not used to being away from home, she wanted to move out of her comfort zone. Her lived experience at ��Ƶ over the past month confirmed that her decision to attend this fall was the right one.

How has your view of college changed since attending Entrada?

I feel like through Entrada it’s taught me the value of having self-discipline, especially with time management and knowing where you should prioritize certain activities vs. yourself. It’s also helped me get a feel for what college is actually going to be like.

What is your greatest takeaway from this experience?

I would say my greatest takeaway was the friends that I made and also the memories I got to create with other people. I also learned how to socialize and put myself out there with people I’m not as comfortable with or know as well.

Because of Entrada, I feel more confident in …

Socializing with other people, I also feel more confident in my work ethic and what I need to do to be a good citizen in society and also just being more confident in my foundation in Christ.

How have you grown in your relationship with Christ?

My faith is a big aspect of my life and so I wanted to be able to know that going on into college that God would still be the center of my life, even in my education. And receiving an education with that lens would also help me to surrender my academics and how I do in school to God. I have definitely seen the sense of community that I was looking for here. I think people push you to be better and hold you to a standard of being a Christian and what that actually means and challenge you to know that for yourself.

How would you have felt had you not had this experience before college?

I feel like I would have felt very unprepared, and I would have a lack of understanding of what it means to be independent and to balance your social, academic, and athletic life.

Thursday, July 31, 2025 - 12:00

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Beginning in 2025, Rayn Rutley is excited to begin her studies in exercise science and kinesiology at ��Ƶ.

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