June 30, 2024
With a bachelor’s degree from Mayville State University on the list of her many accomplishments, Brooke Roeges is well on the way to her ultimate goal of a career in medicine. The 2023 Mayville State graduate, who earned majors in biology and chemistry and a certificate in biotechnology, will enroll in the University of Saskatchewan medical school in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada in August. Baldur, Manitoba is Brooke’s hometown.
At Mayville State, Brooke very successfully navigated a rigorous academic plan while participating as a varsity student athlete on the softball team. She says her softball coaches were very supportive and the small classes and personal relationships developed with professors definitely helped her to make it possible.
“The most influential experience I had outside of the classroom was being a part of the varsity softball team,” said Brooke. “Not only did I meet some amazing people, but I was able to further my softball career while fine tuning my time management and accountability skills.”
Brooke spent four years working in the science research labs at Mayville State. She said, “This opportunity helped me gain many skills that will help further my career in medicine - not to mention we attended an amazing American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) conference in Hawaii in my final year at Mayville State!”
Mayville State University is a place where students have numerous opportunities for involvement, and Roeges took full advantage of these opportunities. Her involvement in a leadership role in the Mayville State Science Club helped Brooke develop communication skills and the ability to delegate to others. In addition, being a tutor helped keep previous coursework and knowledge fresh and served her well as she prepared for the MCAT and attended graduate school.
Roeges credits Mayville State faculty members Dr. Khjwaja Hossain, Professor of Biology, and Dr. Michael Kjelland, Assistant Professor of Biology, for helping to prepare her for a future in medicine, as they offered her many great classroom and research experiences.
Her advisor, Dr. Joseph Mehus, Associate Professor of Biology, ensured that Brooke fulfilled the required coursework, while being available for advice and feedback. In addition, Jeff Hovde, Assistant Professor of Biology, and Dr. Thomas Gonnella, Professor of Chemistry, played a role in development of leadership, academic, and research skills.
In the year since leaving Mayville State, Roeges earned a master’s degree in biomedical science from the University of Northern Colorado. The accelerated master’s program helped to prepare her for the future workload of medical school, while gaining a more extensive knowledge of biomedical subjects such as immunology, physiology, and anatomy.
Equipped with fantastic undergraduate experiences and bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Brooke Roeges plans to keep an open mind during her future clinicals. Right now, she says her goal is to specialize in either orthopedic surgery or oncology.
“We are extremely proud of Brooke and all that she’s accomplished. The lofty goals she’s set for herself are commendable,” said Mayville State University President Dr. Brian Van Horn. “Brooke made the absolute most of her Mayville State experience and we know that the skills and knowledge she gained will aid her well in her life and throughout her career. We can’t wait to see all the good things that are without a doubt in her future.”