Chippewa Valley Times

The Jarvis Hall Science Wing at UW-Stout, dedicated in 2010 and hailed as a premier science facility by former Governor Jim Doyle, has proven its worth. Graduates from the university's Prehealth Sciences program have successfully pursued careers in various professional health fields, including medicine, pharmacy, and dentistry.

Anna Brooks and Olivier Charest are two recent graduates embarking on medical school journeys. Brooks is attending UW-Madison while Charest has enrolled at the University of Sherbrooke in Quebec. "I am extremely grateful for all the doors that Stout has opened for me," said Brooks.

Prehealth Sciences at UW-Stout offers focused preparation for professional schools and can be paired with several bachelor's programs such as biology and chemistry. The program emphasizes hands-on lab experience and small class sizes, which facilitates collaboration and mentorship. "The strength of UW Stout for Prehealth students is that not only do we have a lot of hands-on opportunities, but class sizes are small," said Dr. Alex Hall.

Brooks recalls her engaging research projects during her studies, stating she appreciated the practical experiences not always available at larger institutions. After graduating in May 2023, she interned at the UW Medical School Urology Lab before working as a phlebotomist at Mayo Clinic Red Cedar in Menomonie.

Charest also benefited from his time at UW-Stout, participating in a competitive internship at the University of Rochester Medical School. His experiences as a certified nursing assistant further solidified his desire to pursue medicine. "Many people believed in me and paved the way for me to succeed," he noted.

The program has produced numerous professionals over the years. Notable alumni include Kym Ludwig Klimek, who earned a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from UW-Madison; Nolan Green, a doctor of osteopathy with Mayo Clinic; Dylan Meyer, a research scientist at Vertex Pharma; Trever Koester, a surgical resident doctor; Neal Wrobel, a biomedical research scientist; and Issabella Stueck, now practicing chiropractic care.

As Brooks and Charest begin their medical education this fall, they join many other graduates who have entered diverse health fields after their time at UW-Stout.