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| Welcome to Wesleyan Weekend |
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Sylvia Menteer Gonsahn ‘06
A.B. Biology, cum laude, Wesleyan College
In May 2007, Wesleyan alumna Sylvia Gonsahn ‘06 completed her first year at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. “My school year was difficult at times,” she said, “but it was made a lot more conquerable by the solid academic foundation I received from Wesleyan's biology department.”
After completing her first year of medical school, Sylvia took advantage of an opportunity to participate in a month long research project in Liberia, West Africa working at the University of Liberia. The research project was entitled, "Teaching Methods at the University of Liberia: A Qualitative Analysis of University Education in A Developing Country."
“Additionally,” said Sylvia, “I worked at the ELWA Clinic with Dr. Sacra, an American doctor living and working in Liberia. I also had the opportunity to observe operations performed by Dr. Dennis, Chief Surgeon at the John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital. The combination of both my clinical and education experiences were very enlightening and fulfilling. This trip was even more meaningful to me because I am a first generation Liberian-American. Both of my parents are originally from Liberia. This was my first time visiting my parent's homeland -- which had been ravished by 14 years of civil war, from 1989 to 2003. I was grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Liberia in my own small way.”
Sylvia is now back in Washington DC concluding the final phase of her research and summarizing my experiences. She is also working as the George Washington University medical school coordinator for the National Youth Leadership Forum on Medicine.
In addition to her academic pursuits, she is an active member of the Christian Medical and Dental Student Association. During the 2007-2008 medical school year, Sylvia found time to serve as co-president of the group and was also a member of Student National Medical Association. A busy schedule for sure, but somehow Sylvia found time to fall in love as well. She’s planning a wedding for December 2007 to Rodney Bollie.
“Rodney is a recent graduate of the George Washington University Engineering Department,” she said, “We met while I was interning in Washington DC in summer 2004 and began dating in February 2006. We will wed in Atlanta, Georgia.” |
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