News
GVSU student grounds herself in education, commitment to community
January 16, 2023
Jacqueline Clark, a student at Grand Valley State University, has had a remarkable journey that took her from Florida to the American West and back to her hometown of Traverse City. Her pursuit of education and dedication to volunteer work reflect her deep-rooted commitment to enhancing the health and well-being of her community.
In 2020, amidst the challenges of a global pandemic, Clark said she decided to return to Traverse City.
“Living out West, I worked at an herbal pharmacy, practicing traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture,” she said. “I became interested in people’s health goals, in whatever form they may come.”
That is when Clark began to pursue a career in health care. She is enrolled in the Allied Health Science program through GVSU’s Traverse City Regional Center. In addition to her studies, Clark holds a part-time position at the Cowell Family Cancer Center, located at Munson Medical Center. Previously, she worked as a receptionist at the same facility.
“I was the first person that patients would see related to their care,” said Clark.
She got to know patients and developed a rapport with them, as well as being the first line of support in their care. Clark said that sometimes meant passing information along to their physician or getting them aloe water for their sore throat.
“Whether it was these short interactions or long interactions, you got to know people,” said Clark.
Now, Clark has moved away from the receptionist position and works to reschedule follow-up appointments or administer questionnaires related to scans such as MRIs or CTs.
“It gives me a chance to work on the more medical side of things: telling people why these questionnaires are important, and why we ask about tattoos and gunshot wounds related to their scans,” said Clark. “It is different, but it is a new challenge.”
Clark will complete a bachelor’s degree next spring. She is also pursuing a master’s degree in public health. “I just love school, and I love to learn,” said Clark.
In her free time, Clark volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan. This organization works on changing outcomes and reversing the downward spiral brought on by poverty and childhood trauma.
Clark previously worked with the Big Brothers Big Sisters while she attended West Senior High School. After the pandemic, Clark began participating again as a mentor in the program, traveling to one of the middle schools in Traverse City to spend time with the student she mentors, whom she calls “my little.”
“We can play games, spend time together on homework, whatever that individual needs from me in the time frame, I am there to support them,” said Clark.
By Thomas Garrett