Heidi Jensen, a 2024 honors graduate of Chowan University, isn’t just chasing her dream—she’s living it. With a Bachelor of Science in Biology and minors in Chemistry and Psychology, Heidi is now studying medicine at the University of Medicine and Health Sciences (UMHS), based in St. Kitts in the Caribbean.

Entering Chowan with scholarships in Golf, Music, Presidential Honors, and the Louise Curtis Gillespie Annual Scholarship—the first grant at Chowan specifically awarded to biology students with aspirations of becoming doctors—Heidi laid the foundation for her future in medicine.

Today, she’s navigating the demanding path of medical school, spending two years in St. Kitts followed by two years of clinical rotations in Portland, Maine. Her next goals include passing all three steps of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), securing a residency in infectious diseases, and continuing her passion for research.

What drew Heidi to UMHS wasn’t just its outstanding academic record, including a 96% first-time USMLE pass rate. It was the university’s compassionate approach to education and service, offering free health care to island residents and providing valuable cultural training for students. For Heidi, UMHS feels much like Chowan—a close-knit academic family.

Now in medical school, Heidi frequently reflects on how her Chowan education prepared her for success. The lessons learned in pharmacology, cellular biology, and biochemistry built a strong academic foundation. Her preparation led to a milestone achievement—becoming the first UMHS student to score a perfect 100% on the challenging Block Exam.

She credits much of her success to Chowan’s faculty, particularly Dr. Gill, whose lab research guidance gave her confidence in research and diagnostics. Courses with Dr. Lee in computational biology and Dr. McGuire in evolution further shaped her academic approach and study habits.

Though she once considered pediatrics, Heidi’s passion has shifted toward infectious disease and research. She hopes to merge clinical care with scientific discovery, believing that more doctors engaging in research will strengthen the medical field.

Her dream is to serve wherever medicine takes her—through humanitarian missions, research, and patient care—while making a lasting difference in people’s lives.

For Heidi, Chowan University remains the small university where she discovered her passion, her people, and her path. And even as she continues her journey, she’s already making a difference.