Chelsea Rawe: From MSU to Nepal, and back

Chelsea Rawe is a first year student in the College of Osteopathic Medicine. Rawe graduated from MSU with degrees in nutrition and entomology from the College of Natural Science and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

East Lansing, around the world and back is how I arrived as a first year student at MSUCOM. 

As an undergraduate, I loved MSU because of my dynamic professors, freedom to explore new ideas and my delightful friends. Upon graduation, I excitedly served in Peace Corps Nepal as a food security volunteer for 27 months. In Nepal, community members and I worked together encouraging good maternal nutrition and healthy sanitation practices. 

Collaborating with the health post, public schools and local organizations, I provided puberty education to the youth in our community. People would come to me with medical questions because they lacked access to health care. Explaining to them that I was not a doctor and that I lacked the skills to diagnose their ailments was one of the hardest parts of my service. 

In contemplating my career choices, I was torn by my diverse interests, but experiencing the April 2015 earthquake helped me realize I wanted to become a physician. In Nepal, I spent ample time listening to people who shared their culture, great joys, great sorrows and plenty of laughter. Often I could not solve the problems people were sharing with me; I could listen.

As a physician, I hope to remember that while diagnosis and successful treatment will not be possible for every patient, I will always be able to provide respect, compassion and a listening ear. 

I chose to come to MSUCOM, in part, because my favorite doctor, Lisa Helmick, is an MSUCOM alumna. I remember the ways she helped me feel comfortable, informed and respected me as her patient for so many years.

Upon arriving back to MSU, I was really nervous; I didn’t know anyone in my class, it had been a few years since I had taken an exam, and the thought of heading into the anatomy lab made me a little nervous. 

While sometimes classes can be stressful and competition seems inevitable, I take great pride in knowing that each of us will go out into the world and be the absolute best doctors each in our own way.

My classmates are so compassionate, enthusiastic about caring for vulnerable groups, hardworking and actively striving to one day treat not only one patient but also the community.

With my wonderful classmates, I have spent hours in the anatomy lab and I am enjoying a prosection elective where I have the privilege to study from and prepare my donor’s body to teach future students.

My medical school journey is just beginning, and I am not sure where my path will take me.  I am passionate about working with underserved populations; however, I am unsure if that will take place right here in Michigan, back in Nepal or somewhere new. 

I look forward to the many opportunities and great mentors I will learn from along the way.

Putting my white coat on or even seeing it in the closet feels a little strange; however, I am proud of what I have learned, elated to have my classmates as new friends and inspired by the wonderful work of MSUCOM graduates around the world.