Master’s Students Lisa Hellebuyck and Erica Wikan Receive Mary Jane Schwertfeger Awards from the Rackham Graduate School
The awards recognize Lisa and Erica’s commitment to making a difference in the healthcare of vulnerable children.
Two master’s students in the pediatric nurse practitioner (PNP) program at the U-M School of Nursing, Lisa Hellebuyck and Erica Wikan, have been selected to receive a one-time award from the Rackham Graduate School in recognition of their work with vulnerable children. The award is made possible by a gift from the estate of Professor Emerita of Education Mary Jane Schwertfeger, who saw maternal and child health as critical for children to learn and thrive, both locally and around the world. This award honors her passion. To support their work with vulnerable children, Lisa and Erica will each receive an award of $5,000.
Lisa HellebuyckLisa began her nursing career at the Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan. Before deciding to pursue a master’s degree at the U-M School of Nursing, she volunteered as a cabin clinician at the American Diabetes Association summer camp for children with type 1 diabetes. This experience was pivotal in inspiring Lisa to become a pediatric nurse practitioner. Her personal goal is to positively impact families and children from disadvantaged backgrounds by sharing the skills necessary to promote healthy lifestyles and be proactive in their own health. Lisa is passionate about introducing children to healthy eating and exercise habits to help prevent childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes.
“The experience [of working at the American Diabetes Association summer camp] really opened up my eyes to the lifelong responsibilities and challenges chronic illnesses demand of young children and adolescents,” said Lisa. Lisa will graduate from the PNP program in May 2013. Upon graduation, she hopes to work in the endocrinology field focusing on diabetes and childhood obesity.
Erica WikanErica grew up on an Alaskan island where health care resources were limited. Through this experience, she encountered many families who could not afford to travel to the state of Washington to receive adequate care. Moved by their situation, she realized the important role that advanced practice nursing can play in providing quality care to families in rural and underserved areas. Erica completed the nurse-midwifery program at the U-M School of Nursing in April 2012 and is currently enrolled in the PNP program. Thanks to the unique opportunity provided by a dual certification, she is committed to working with mothers prenatally to deliver healthy babies and to continue to follow the mother and baby as the child grows. Erica is drawn to international experiences and has volunteered with healthcare teams in Zambia and Haiti.
After graduating from the PNP program in May 2013, Erica plans on joining a family practice or splitting her time between an OB/GYN and pediatric clinic. Ideally, the facility in which she chooses to work will also support her desire to volunteer internationally once a year. “Last year, I was able to spend two weeks at Hospital Bernard Mevs Project Medishare working with children,” said Erica. “This opportunity helped me realize the importance of expanding my volunteer work to children and families beyond the United States. I look forward to integrating many more of these opportunities into my life.”
