Eaton Rapids High School graduates Katherine Bodkin and Courtney Burke are the recipients of the 2022 Annual Eaton Rapids Medical Center (ERMC) Foundation Scholarship. Each received $1,000 toward continuing education in the medical field; they were also invited to observe a surgical procedure firsthand.
After taking a hospital tour personally led by president and CEO Tim Johnson, Bodkin and Burke shadowed veteran surgeon Dr. Michael Chames, MD in the operating room as he performed a cataract removal and lens placement procedure. Both recipients mentioned how much they enjoyed gaining that real-world, clinical experience.
In the fall Bodkin will be attending The University of Michigan to major in biology as a part of the pre-med track. “I love biology and the way the field is constantly evolving as we make new breakthroughs; especially biological applications in medicine,” she said. After completing her undergraduate education Bodkin hopes to attend medical school and eventually practice as a surgeon or specialist in her chosen field.
Burke intends to enroll in Lansing Community College to complete the necessary prerequisite courses before transferring to Ferris State University to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She aims to eventually becoming a critical care nurse. “I have always been drawn to the field of medicine,” Burke said. “I truly enjoy serving others, and I genuinely want to help those in need.”
The ERMC Foundation began offering the $1,000 scholarship in 2011 to high school seniors who plan to pursue a degree in medicine or nursing. The purpose of the scholarship is to provide local students with assistance in entering the healthcare field. To learn more about the scholarship or the hospital visit eatonrapidsmedicalcenter.org.
