MSU College of Human Medicine names Mazzuchi scholarship recipients

Published 10/31 2016 11:55AM

Updated 10/31 2016 11:55AM

Image courtesy MGN Online/Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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MARQUETTE, Mich. – Four medical students have been awarded the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine UP Campus Mazzuchi Scholarship.

Students Dustin Collins, Angelea Heider, Ashley Parent and Chris Steele were each awarded tuition reduction scholarships. The recipients were selected for their commitment to practicing medicine in the Upper Peninsula after residency training, interest in specializing in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, general surgery, hospitalist medicine, obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics or psychiatry; and need for financial assistance.

The scholarship fund, which began providing financial assistance in 1983, was renamed the Mazzuchi Scholarship in 2006 to honor Dr. Dan Mazzuchi. The retired physician and former Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Upper Peninsula campus CEO and community assistant dean was instrumental in developing the U.P. community campus, one of the college's seven campuses in Michigan. He also helped launch the Marquette Family Medicine Residency Program and served as chief of staff at Marquette General Hospital.

Dustin Collins, a native of Gilbert, Arizona, received his bachelor's degree in political science from Northern Michigan University. While attending NMU, he played varsity hockey for the Wildcats and went on to play professional hockey for 4 years. Dustin returned to NMU to pursue post baccalaureate courses while working as a phlebotomist, being assistant coach for MSHS high school hockey team and volunteering as the strength and conditioning coach for the NMU hockey team. He volunteered for Lake Superior Hospice and Camp STAR which helped affirm his passion for helping others and choosing a career in medicine.

A native of Chassell Michigan, Angelea Heider received her bachelor's degree from Michigan Tech. There she worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant, CNA, on the inpatient unit of UP Health System-Portage, at Portage Pointe, and at the Omega House. She did research involving aerospace medicine and human performance during her undergraduate years which was published in the journal of Aerospace Medicine and Human Performance. Angelea chose medicine based on her love of science and helping others. She looks forward to helping people in rural, underserved areas and forming lifelong relationships with her patients.

Ashley Parent grew up in Marquette, Michigan, and attended Northern Michigan University. She received a bachelor of science in biology-human physiology. Prior to medical school, Ashley was working toward her M.S. from NMU with the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center, something she hopes to complete during her time in Marquette. She also worked in a breast cancer research lab at MSU. Ashley looks forward to learning and applying her knowledge and skills to the care of others.

Chris Steele is a native of Three Lakes, Michigan. He studied biology and chemistry at Northern Michigan University and performed bench research, both for NMU professors and for the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center. He volunteered for the Superior Alliance for Independent Living organization by getting folks dealing with varying forms of disability out fishing and cross country skiing. Chris hopes to continue to participate in research while working to positively impact people's lives through medicine.

About Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Upper Peninsula Region Campus

The MSU College of Human Medicine Upper Peninsula Region Campus works in conjunction with the UP Health System-Marquette to coordinate the training of family medicine residents and Michigan State University College of Human Medicine medical students. Since its inception in 1974, 266 medical students and 186 resident physicians have graduated from the two programs. Currently, approximately 30 percent of the MSU College of Human Medicine Upper Peninsula Region Campus physicians are practicing in the U.P. in every primary care and additional specialties of medicine.

Copyright 2016 Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Source: MSU College of Human Medicine names Mazzuchi scholarship recipients