Calvin News

As a third‑year pre‑med student at Calvin University, Ana Maria Groenenboom is the kind of person who fills her days—and heart—with purpose. A biochemistry major with minors in Spanish and biomedical engineering, she moves through campus with the energy of someone who not only knows where she’s going, but also understands why she’s going there.

From dance performances and outdoor adventures to hospital night shifts and global health travel, Ana Maria’s Calvin experience is a vivid example of how academic rigor meets meaningful relationships—and how those relationships, in turn, help students discover their calling.

Choosing Calvin: A Community That Holds Open Doors—Literally

Ana Maria laughs when she recalls one of her earliest campus memories:
“Everyone held the door for everyone else,” she said. “It seems small, but to me it showed the heart of Calvin—warm, welcoming, and genuinely caring.”

With a mother employed at the university, Calvin had always been on Ana Maria’s radar. But it was the blend of academic rigor and supportive community that convinced her it was the right choice.

“Within three weeks of my freshman year, I knew for certain I had made the right decision,” she said. “Calvin challenges you, absolutely—but you never feel like you’re doing it alone.”

The Power of Being Bilingual

Raised in a Spanish‑speaking household and active in a bilingual church, Ana Maria’s language skills have shaped her identity and her future career in profound ways.

“Being bilingual has widened my worldview,” she explained. “It helps me understand people—especially patients—in a deeper way.”

Her language abilities aren’t just personal gifts; they’re tools she uses every day. Ana Maria volunteers at Exalta Health, a clinic serving primarily Spanish‑speaking patients, and works as a patient care assistant at Trinity Health in downtown Grand Rapids. She also serves as a medical assistant at Forest Hills Pediatrics.

The difference she sees when speaking to patients in their native language—comfort, trust, relief—is what motivates her.

“People open up differently when they can express themselves fully,” she said. “Spanish allows me to love people well in the work I do.”

Her Spanish minor at Calvin, strengthened by a May term in the Yucatán Peninsula, deepened her appreciation for Hispanic history and culture. “It gave me the academic foundation behind what I grew up with,” she added.

Hands‑On Healthcare Experience

If there’s a way to gain experience in healthcare, Ana Maria has found it.

At Trinity Health’s Senior Adult Unit, she works with patients over 65 experiencing everything from dementia to sepsis. “It’s challenging, but it’s deeply rewarding,” she said. “Working there has made me absolutely sure I want to pursue medicine.”

At the pediatric office, she sees the opposite end of the age spectrum—children and families requiring a different kind of care and presence.

“I love both roles. They’ve shown me the breadth of medicine and affirmed that this is exactly where I’m called to be.”

A Calling Strengthened Abroad: Nepal and the Global Missions Health Conference

Some students attend a conference and bring home notes. Ana Maria brought home clarity.

The Global Missions Health Conference, encouraged by faculty mentor Dr. Kumar Sinnathamby, broadened her understanding of what medicine can look like in underserved communities—and how humility and cultural intelligence play crucial roles in effective care.

Her passion only deepened when she joined Calvin’s Nepal global health course, a program she had dreamed about long before enrolling.

In Nepal, Ana Maria saw firsthand how medicine, public health, and community engagement intersect. She visited mission hospitals, spoke with Nepali and expatriate physicians, and learned how healthcare professionals address sensitive conditions such as leprosy—both medically and socially.

“Seeing physicians not only treat infection but also work with the community to reduce stigma—that was powerful,” she shared. “It showed me how holistic medicine can be.”

The experience cemented her desire to pursue primary care in underserved settings.

Looking Ahead: Early Assurance to Medical School

Ana Maria recently applied to the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Early Assurance Program, designed for students committed to serving high‑needs communities.

“It aligns so well with my goals,” she said. “Their mission, their collaborative community, their focus on underserved areas—it feels like the right fit.”

She expects to hear back this spring but remains grounded, hopeful, and grateful.

Life Beyond Labs and Hospitals

Despite a demanding schedule, Ana Maria is fully immersed in campus life. She participates in the Society of Women Engineers, Engineering Unlimited, dance guild, outdoor recreation, and previously, Calvin’s ski club.

Calvin, she says, makes it possible to pursue all of these passions without sacrificing academic goals.

“You’re encouraged—not discouraged—to explore your interests,” she said. “Calvin opens doors for you, and you learn to step confidently through them.”

Why Calvin? Ana Maria’s Message to Future Knights

“I always recommend Calvin,” she said. “Especially if you're pre‑health. You’ll be challenged, supported, equipped, and welcomed. And you’ll find people—professors, friends, mentors—who help you become who you’re meant to be.”

As her younger sister now joins her on campus, Ana Maria’s enthusiasm for Calvin speaks for itself. She’s not just a successful student—she’s an ambassador, a future physician, and someone committed to serving others with compassion and purpose.