Where is UMKC taking you?

To the place I want to be. I chose UMKC because it has a good nursing program, and I love the location of the Health Sciences Campus on Hospital Hill because it’s close to downtown. I chose nursing because I want to help and have an impact on someone’s life every day.

It sounds like you’ve already made a major impact. In January, the Lee’s Summit Parks & Recreation board recognized you for saving a man’s life when he went into cardiac arrest.

I was in the weight room and saw a man pass out. I went over to him and he wasn’t responsive. No pulse. I began performing chest compressions on him. I was so thankful I’d had a pre-nursing class where I learned CPR the prior semester. Two lifeguards then came with a defibrillator before he was transported to a hospital.

Have you kept in touch with the man you saved?

Yes, I’ve kept in touch with Terrance. He calls me his angel. He tells me if he had gone to the community center when he normally does that I would not have been at the right place at the right time to save his life. I didn’t need any recognition. I’m just so extremely happy and beyond grateful I was there for him.