Pioneers in Healthcare By Carol (Knight ’81, MA ’08) Best
A year ago, when this issue was planned, the world had not heard the term COVID-19. The idea was to introduce readers to some of the many healthcare professionals who completed their pre-professional education at MNU and went on to serve the world in a variety of settings. Some of the first graduates became medical doctors, dentists and missionary doctors. In 1979, the first students enrolled in a brand-new nursing program. MNU has since developed curriculum and faculty advising to prepare graduates for careers as chiropractors, occupational therapists and physical therapists. Graduates of biology and chemistry have become optometrists, pharmacists, psychiatrists, veterinarians and more. The latest program addition is for nurse practitioner which began in January. It prepares graduates for a professional practice with adolescents, adults and the elderly.
HEALTH SCIENCES Programs Athletic Training
Pharmacy
Chiropractic
Physical Therapy
Dental/Dentistry
Physician Assistant
Health & Fitness
Psychiatry
Pre-Medical
Sports Medicine
Music Therapy
Veterinary Medicine
Occupational Therapy Find Health Science Pre-professional programs at: mnu.edu/undergraduate/majors-minor
24
ACCENT MAGAZINE - SUMMER 2020
Pioneers have been drawn to MNU for a variety of reasons: its reputation for excellence in nursing, its high acceptance rate to medical school and other graduate programs and the opportunity to work closely with highly skilled faculty. They also chose MNU to learn more about serving others while serving Christ. In the midst of COVID-19, alumni of these programs take a special place in our hearts and minds as they serve on the front lines of this pandemic. The profiles in this issue represent hundreds of other Pioneers who serve as well. We are proud to have been part of their preparation to lead in this manner. Please remember them in your prayers of gratitude.
Dana Suderman (BSN ’11, BA ’09), RN, PCCN, unit coordinator The University of Kansas Hospital. Dana leads the night shift on the Neuroscience ENT Progressive Care Unit. After completing a degree in organizational leadership in 2009, she found herself being led to nursing.
How did you choose your profession? “I didn’t start college knowing exactly what I wanted to do. I remembered my parents and other people saying I’d make a good nurse. I don’t know how to explain it other than it really was God’s hand directing me and laying out the path for me.” Stepping out in faith, Dana enrolled in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, an intense, year-long program for career changers. “Every class, lab, test and clinical became a prayer, a fleece, that I literally laid out to God every step of the way. I took every passing
