Gustavus Health Professions Podcast

Episode #27 we welcomed Dr. Mark Taylor, M.D., Gustavus Class fo 1978. Dr. Taylor specialized in obstetrics and gynecology and has been with the Mankato Clinic for the entirety career.  Dr. Taylor is a well loved Dr. and has strong ties to the Mankato/St. Peter area.  He values the relationships he has with his patients. He enjoys being stopped in the grocery store by patients who just w...

January 2022 NEW January Career Exploration opportunity for pre-health students at Capstone Clinic, Alaska.  The experience is based out of Wasilla/Palmer, Alaska but students traveled to additional clinic sites in Anchorage, Eagle River and Kenai.  Family medicine as well as a variety of specialty areas in medicine are shadowed during the 17 day January Interim.   This is a funded...

In episode #25 we talk with Brieyanna Krug, Volunteer Ecumen Hospice Specialist about the opportunity to volunteer as a companion.  This opportunity offers a flexible schedule at a location convenient for you (St. Peter and Mankato area volunteers needed), and offers ongoing guidance and education to ensure you are comfortable and effective in your role. "At Ecumen Hospice, we are known for c...

In episode #24 we met with Dr. Scott J. Luhmann, M.D., Gustavus Class of 1986. Dr. Luhmann specializes in pediatric and adolescent orthopaedic surgery and is the chief of staff at Shriners Hospital for Children. He is a professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri and serves as the Fellowship Director for Pediatric.  Dr. Luhmann shared wi...

We had the amazing opportunity to talk with Dr. Bruce Horazdovsky .  Dr. Horazdovsky is the Director of the Mayo SURF program. SURF stands for summer undergraduate research fellowship. If you are a student interested in going to graduate school for a PhD in biomedical research or are interested in pursuing an MD PhD this podcast will be of great interest to you.   New this year for Gusta...

Jordyn Olson-Merrick class of 2021 is in her first year of Optometry school at Pacific University College of Optometry , in Forest Grove, OR.  She joined us and shared her path to Optometry and highlighted the career as a whole.   What Optometrists Do Optometrists diagnose and treat visual problems and manage diseases, injuries, and other disorders of the eyes. Work Environment Most...

The GustieWELL , Office strives to infuse wellness into the everyday lifestyles of our students, through the promotion of personal responsibility, positive social norms, and campus engagement. The Peer Assistants ( PAs ) are an integral part of the GustieWELL Office and mission. This selected group of elite student leaders are dedicated to promoting a culture of well-being by providing quality wel...

Paula Meskan  | CEO, Acting CFO, MA, RN, CNEP In March 2021, Paula Meskan was named the CEO of River’s Edge Hospital and Clinic in St. Peter, MN.  Meskan earned her four-year Bachelor of Nursing degree from the College of St. Catherine.  Her first job after graduation was working as the lead RN at Faribault Regional Treatment Center.  Following that she worked as a nurse at a g...

In our #19 episode we talk with Senior Emily Kratz (Class of 2022).   Emily is a Biology major, the captain of the golf team AND the co-president of the pre-dental club. We focused on the January Interim Career Exploration and the walked through the process of setting up an experience or applying for one of the opportunities with our partner sites.  As a sophomore, Emily participate...

Season Two, Episode #18:  Dr. Carston Dammann, Gustavus graduate Class of 2017 is currently completing his residency in internal medicine in Denver, Colorado.  Dr. Dammann attended Medical School at Creighton University and shared with us what the four years of medical school entail.  We also got to learn more about what makes Creighton School of Medicine unique.  If you are in...

Episode #17:  University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, Coordinator for the Office of Admissions and Diversity, Susie Wold What a great and informative conversation we had with Susie Wold.  Some highlights included what makes the U of MN dental program unique, what a competitive applicant profiles looks like and what it means to have "humble confidence" during the interview and applic...

Episode #16:  College of St. Scholastica, Assistant Director, Enrollment Management, Courtney Eickman This is the 16th episode of the Gustavus Health Professions Podcast. Today we talk with Courtney Eickman from the College of St. Scholastica where she is the  Assistant Director,  Enrollment Management.  Our focus of conversation is:  Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy,...

Episode #15:  University of Minnesota Medical School Associate Dean of Admissions, Dimple Patel. On the Gustavus Health Professions Podcast episode 15 we talk with Dimple Patel, the University of Minnesota Medical School Associate Dean of Admissions. We learned a lot from Dimple about how applicants are evaluated and how the competencies are used in the evaluation process. Dimple offered some...

Episode #14:  This episode is all about GAP year positions and the benefits these type of positions can bring to your application.  We featured three Gustie Alum and what they did during their GAP year(s).  They share about how they secured the position, top three takeaways and how the position contributed to their successful application. Savannah Maynard, 2018, ECC Medical Scribe,...

#13 podcast Current Applicant Panel: Two more applicants share their stories and path to their health profession. Episode 13 is going to focus on the allied health areas of Physician Assistant and Occupational Therapy.  Excellent advice shared regarding the application process, and how to stay on top of the entire process.   Our questions and conversation went in this order. &n...

#12 podcast Current Applicant Panel:  Applicants share their story and path to their health profession.  Great advice and information shared about the application process, things you can get started on right away and the importance of being organized through the application process. Our questions and conversation with the student panel went in the following order.   Jordyn Olson-Mer...

BONUS episode: Christen Gibson, '2023, FYRE program past participant.  If you are a FIRST YEAR student and interested in applying for the FYRE program you need to listen to this podcast.   You will learn about the application process, the research experience, and the benefits of being part of the program.  Christen shares both the highlights and the challenges she faced during her 1...

Podcast #11: Features Quinn Bents, Class of 2020 graduate of Gustavus and is now currently enrolled at the University of Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine.   Quinn was a Biology major, she also shares the importance of getting out into your field of interest and how important it is for learning and confirming your career path.  Quinn talks us through her application process i...

In our 10th Gustavus Health Professions Podcast episode we interview Katie Keelin '20 .  She is currently attending Chiropractic School at Northwestern Health Sciences University, Bloomington, MN.  Katie was a Biology major with a minor in Music.  Our conversation with Katie brings to light the misconceptions of chiropractic medicine as well as Katie's path to choosing Chiropractic...

Podcast #9:  Ella Johnson, '20 Occupational Therapy student attending St. Catherine University.  Ella was an Exercise Physiology major and Communication Studies minor at Gustavus.  In our conversation with Ella she shares with us her decision to enroll in a Doctorate of OT program vs. a OT master's program.  We learned about the four main areas to practice OT:  geriatrics,...

Podcast #8:  Herchran Singh, 2017 majored in Biology.  After graduation Herchran worked for two years as an Admission Counselor in the Gustavus Admission Office.  She currently attends A.T. Still University in Mesa, Arizona.  In our conversation, Herchran shares her path to medical school and shares about the DO philosophy.  During her time at Gustavus she was involved wit...

Podcast #7:  Olivia Buncher, Director of Admissions and Recruitment for the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy joins us.  We learned a lot about the field of pharmacy and all the different type of pharmacy jobs that are available.  She shared what makes U of MN Pharmacy program the #3 in the nation and shares some highlights from their program.  This is a must listen t...

#6 podcast Garrett Clause graduated from Gustavus in 2011 as a Chemistry major.  He grew up in Mankato, MN and attended the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, graduating with high distinction in 2015.  Dr. Clause works at Commerce Drive Dental practice in North Mankato, MN in partnership with his father Dr. David Clause who is also a dentist.  

#5 podcast we had the opportunity to talk with Emily Holmes, nursing major and 2018 graduate from Gustavus.  She currently works as a Registered Nurse at Park Nicollet Health Services, in the Twin Cities.  Emily shares her path to applying to the nursing program and her unique clinical experience in Alaska during her senior year at Gustavus.  During her time at Gustavus, she was inv...

#4 podcast we interview Physical Therapist, Kelsey Harms.  Kelsey majored in Biology and graduated from Gustavus in 2016.  Kelsey was involved in many aspects of student life during her time on campus including being a student athlete.  Kelsey attended Physical Therapy school at the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science in Rochester, MN.  Kelsey is currently working as a...