Author: morris.1343

Year in Review

My first time seeing Ohio State, or Columbus for that matter, was when I attended my first college visit. I knew deep in my soul that OSU was the place for me. Here I found as home and a community that pushed me to strive for the greatest I could be.

Moving into a dorm with over 160 pre-health students, I had the resources and encouragement to push through the difficulties that life and school threw my way. Not that I was unsure about my career path but it was only the beginning to my passion for natural and holistic medicine. I only had few experiences shadowing or talking to health professionals and now I have many as friends.

My initial freshman classes were so horrible that I thought it would represent how hard it would to continue chasing my dreams. However, the more I get into my major and minor, the more reassured I feel on the path.

I am so thankful for each and every day and try to look for all of God’s signs. I am more aware of how all of us interconnect in this life. How one person may impact me and I impact another. How I can lose an opportunity but then gain a new one. How I can feel like giving up, then a person walks into my life asking for guidance.

These last two years have been a roller-coaster. Losing my step-mom to cancer and taking on new responsibilities has made me stronger and more determined. I have gained leadership within scholars, Camp Kesem OSU, and the community. I have joined a sisterhood in Alpha Gamma Delta and found fellowship at the Newman Center and Star House. I have became the women I hoped to be in college.

Beyond the scope of this year I don’t plan on being any different. Welcoming any new experience and opportunity that comes my way. Gaining new experience in the health fields, and making long-lasting friendships with the community and abroad. The journey will prepare me to be the best Naturopathic doctor that I can.

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Informational Interview

What-is-Naturopathic-Medicine

Informational Interview conducted with: Ekele Nwankwo, M.Div, BCC, DNOM

Education: International Institute of Original Medicine

Why did you select this individual to interview?

While working at the Star House, I was having an awesome conversation with her son Chingo who is a security guard. I told him about my classes and how I was studying Nutrition Sciences. He explained how he had once studied nutrition and is now a certified health coach. However, after I went onto explaining the type of doctor I want to be, he lit up and said he mom was a Naturopath. He encouraged me along my career path. Using scripture, documentary and book references, and his knowledge on healthy and nutrition, I was overblown. Chingo set me up with his mom’s contact and she was kind enough to have a 2 hour conversation with me.

Describe the major responsibilities associated with their current role.

Ekele plays many roles in her life: mother, sister, chaplain, naturopath, life coach, aromatherapist, and home health aid. As a health professional she integrates direct health and counseling. At Mercy Home Health she sets up skilled home health aids with individuals whom need personal care and light house work. For her natural health practices, she performs one on one consultations with patients to help diagnose, prevent, and/or cure any heath ailment. In addition, as a chaplain she provides spiritual guidance and emotional support to members and patients in hospitals and local organizations.

“The doctors that make the lasting improvement integrate practice and spirituality.”

Discuss how the person prepared for this role, and if they provided you with any advice as what you might be able to do to prepare for a similar career.

“God’s natural doctors”

In 2008 Ekele knew she was ill. She was loaded up on medications from the doctors, but nothing truly healed her. Pills only subsided the pain. Then in 2010, Ekele went in depth into learning about nutrition. These new principles changes her; changed her outlook on health and her conscious. The underlying problem were due to a bodily imbalance.

Along with receiving her masters to be a chaplain, she studied at The Institute of Original Medicine. There she learned how to integrate biblical teachings with everyday health. Her education gave her the tools in oncology, prophecy, acupuncture, massage, pharmacology, nutrition, consultation, human relationships, and how to determine diseases of the body. Next on her list is to become clinically certified and to open up her own family practice.

“I believe in well care, not sick care.”

Summarize any insights from the interview that might be helpful in your academic or career preparation.

Ekele gave me more in an interview than I could have asked for. She encouraged me along my career path and told me I had the passion and knowledge to continue pursuing a career as a natural doctor. Everything she said reassured my desire and gut intuitions about straying away from western medicine.

God provides us with all we need on this Earth. This was an interesting perspective because I am spiritual but I haven’t integrated it in-depthly into my health practice and wellness. Passages in the Bible teach about drinking water, exercising, eating healthy from the earth, what one should wear, and how to destress. For example, nutrition and clothing affect us: girls especially wear attire at the expense of circulation and over heating of the organs.

Ekele aso went into the fact the baby boomers are getting sicker and sicker. People of her same age are living with multiple diseases and barely any are getting better. Our society has become so dependent on medical doctors that we don’t take our lives into our own hands or use alternatives. Doctors are agents of the pharmaceuticals and treat patients as customers rather than clients. Everyone wants quick relief and overload themselves with toxic pills.

It’s okay to be different! Naturopaths have been ostracized for their practices for hundreds of years. Physicians were arrested and some were kicked out of the country. Schools were closed in the early 1900s and the American Medical Association took reign. However, she told me not to fear. People see how well they feel when using alternative practices and God has given us principles to use in every day land. The “FAITH” factor will give us an edge. To people that may be hesitant, starting with simple life style changes will be enough.

“Give him glory and honor.”

Major Service Project

Project Title: Amongst the Moon and Stars

Service Site Name: The OSU Star House

OSU Star Hosue

Describe your involvement with this organization:

I found out about the OSU Star House at The College of Education and Human Ecology’s scholarship night. The Star House is a 24 hour drop-in center for homeless youth in the Columbus area. In high school I did a lot of work with local homeless communities. Many of the mission trips I went on were also focused on community development and homeless outreach. So naturally I wanted to inquire about volunteering there.

The Star House has been one of the most laid back service sites yet. I volunteer once a week for two hours and spend a big chunk of time socializing with the youth. As a volunteer, I organize donations such as food, clothing, and personal care items. When there needs tidying, I’ll do the dishes, sweep, finish laundry, and clean the nooks and crannies of their beautiful new building or work in the warehouse. The rest of the time I open up to the youth and see how I can be assistance to them; whether it’s listening or being a mentor. Many youth will be in need of someone to talk to or someone to help find them resources such as counseling, clothing, work, transportation, supplies, and the like.

Describe what you gained as a result of this experience:

My service at the OSU Star House has been so much more impactful than words can describe. You do not truly question your blessings until someone asks you where is a warm place to sleep. The Star House has taught me humility, patience, interpersonal skills, and much more.

To an outsider, The Star House may be intimidating and frankly, dark. Many youth there are beaten down by the world, fresh out of jail, on probation, homeless, or with a mental disorder. Fights can happen and people can be in constant disarray. They are a close community, so coming in as a “privileged college student” is not the easiest.

I’ve learned how to be approachable and fun to the youth. They have opened up to me so much making me more aware of what it’s like on the streets of Columbus. I had no idea tent cities even existed in the area. I gained understanding of the troubles and worries the youth face every day. I recognized how I could be more conscientious to the homeless on the OSU campus. I’ve realized how much I learn from their wisdom and knowledge.

Describe positive changes to the community as a result of your service experience:

As a result of my service and other volunteers and mentors, the Star House can accommodate hundreds of homeless youth a week. We create a safe environment for the youth. I show them love and let them know that they are worth my attention. Who knows, my kindness and advice one day could impact their actions the rest of their life? I look forward to providing more to the community such as art classes, small groups, sports, nutrition counseling, and yoga.

I help them recognize their talents; that they are capable of achieving their dreams.

Describe a person with whom you interacted that made a strong impression on you, positive or negative.

Every time I volunteer I am impacted by a different individual. Someone always says story or phrase that really resonates with me. For one instance, a youth asked me to help her find a shampoo for showering. She seemed very upset but I didn’t want to pry. I asked her if she was okay whilst we were in the pantry and she began to cry. The night before she broke up with her boyfriend and sobbed because she felt as if she made a mistake. That night they shot up heroine and she said she stopped and recognized she could no longer do that to herself. This girl had to remove herself from the unhealthy environment but felt like she would lose her only love. She had nowhere to go because her mom frequently kicks her out. This girl was only 15.

“Because of this service experience, I am open-minded”

Service Engagement:

Every week I volunteer at the OSU Star House, a 24-7 drop-in center for homeless youth in the Columbus area. There I help out with chores, provide guidance and support, cook, and lend a hand. I am able to touch the lives of an ever-prominent community and learn from them on their experiences in life as well as cherishing their qualities as a people. My service pushed me to give back to needy in the community.

Leadership Development:

As a co-coordinator for Camp Kesem Ohio State’s Make the Magic benefit dinner, I have taken the role as both camp organizer and planner of our biggest fundraising event of the year. Over 250 people joined us as we hosted the night of speakers, news on camp, auctioning, music, and much more. Over $42,000 was raised for camp.

Academic Enrichment:

Beyond the scope of my major I have taken upon a minor in Integrative Health. In this outlet I can learn both mindfulness, dance, philosophy, and health, in comparison and enrichment to science coursework.

Original Inquiry:

I have extensively researched cancer and it’s relation to natural medicine and nutrition. Along with my step mom and a family friend I have acquired knowledge on integrative approached to treating both cancer and numerous other diseases. Furthermore, I have shadowed along side doctors and especially naturopathic practitioners.

G.O.A.L.S.

Global Awareness: My course work has expanded my global awareness and helped my recognize diversity and culture. I have taken classes with international students and also experienced learning in both Asian Philosophies and South Asian comparative studies.