This Spotlight series recognizes a UWFox student’s academic achievements and personal story. Students are nominated for this spotlight by faculty and staff.
Name: Jessica A. Mischler
Current Program: Pre-medical
Hometown: Little Chute
Currently Residing: Kaukauna (Town of Buchanan)
Age: 34
Why did you choose to attend UW-Fox Valley?
The pre-medical courses offered at UW-Fox Valley met requirements for the pre-requisites of medical school, which other schools could not offer.
Why did you choose your program?
I have my masters in Occupational Therapy (OT), have been a therapist for ten years and have been blessed to serve people in a plethora of environments (hospital, in-home, outpatient, school, mental health day treatment) from ages 0 – 100+ with an endless variety of diagnoses (anxiety, depression, trauma, stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, hand injuries, sensory processing deficits). I wholly enjoy intense learning and pressing my limits. I find it rewarding to offer this expertise to those in need and with these passions, God leading, I finally feel like I am on a path to my final destiny as a surgeon.
I graduated from Little Chute High School. Through Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin Fox Valley, I serve as the occupational therapist for Little Chute schools. It is irreplaceably rewarding to take care of and give back to the community that helped raise me!
What are you learning about your career field that you find interesting and rewarding?
I have a lot to be exposed to yet as it pertains to being a physician, but currently I am learning and growing emotionally as I work through courses that were not required for OT. I have been successful in OT and the medical field related to OT; however, chemistry and physics have challenged my pride and self-confidence to say the least! I am thankful for the trials these courses provide because they are rounding out my knowledge. As a bonus, they are working to balance my pride, empathy, and endurance in preparation to be a physician.
What takes up your free time?
I have an amazingly supportive family consisting of my handsome husband, Ryan, of nearly 13 years, our three children Micah (9), Naomi (7) and Natali (3) and our 4-year-old perfect golden retriever, Benjamin. Together we enjoy being up north boating, fishing, hunting, attending their sporting events and being with both of our extended families. Alone, I enjoy dreaming of more research to complete, reading the Bible, listening to Joyce Meyer, listening to music and connecting with friends. I enjoy serving others in any way they need and teaching our children to love others and the community.
What do you plan to do in the future?
I desire to be a surgeon; it began as a hand and upper extremity surgeon but a desire to be a pediatric surgeon is growing inside. I am taking the MCAT this spring and applying to the Medical College of Wisconsin. If accepted, medical school is 3-4 years, depending on the program, followed by a surgical residency of five years, and hopefully a fellowship to cap it off. There are mountains to climb and stars must align for most of this plan to come to fruition.
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To meet with a UW-Fox Valley advisor about returning to college as a non-traditional student, call (920) 832-2620.
UWFox is part of the University of Wisconsin System and one of the 14 freshman/sophomore campuses of the UW Colleges. UWFox offers an Associate of Arts and Science Degree, the foundation to a bachelor’s degree and specialized professional and occupational degrees.
Contact
Laurie Krasin
920-929-1108
laurie.krasin@uwc.edu