It takes a special person to work in the health care system, and Grant Nink is one of them. Grant is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Biology and awaiting graduation in spring 2020. This summer, Grant assisted as an intern at the Sparrow Regional Cancer Center.

NEW RESPONSIBILITIES

Sparrow Regional Cancer Center is a cutting-edge organization that partnered with Mayo Clinic to provide care for patients who struggle with cancer. Sparrow works hard to provide expert treatments and services in Lansing, Mich.

Grant’s heart to serve and care for others is evidenced by his willingness to commute to Lansing for the summer opportunity.

CARING ROLE

At Sparrow, Grant supported the day-to-day work of genetic counselors. He worked to build pedigrees of family histories in order to identify possible hereditary conditions and cancers. Grant also met with patients to answer questions about the process of genetic testing.

Anne Gaertner, director of employer relations and internships, expressed that, “Grant’s experience of landing an internship is a prime example of a student who knows their interest and passionately pursues an opportunity.”

Throughout his internship, Grant used the skills and principles learned in the classroom. He applied many of the biochemistry and biology principles he learned in the Kinesiology, Science, Engineering & Mathematics Division from Dr. Nigel Crompton, Dr. James Fryling, Dr. Rob Keys and Professor Raymond Gates. Grant said that, “it’s exciting to finally apply what you learn in the classroom in the workplace such as actually interacting with patients.”

GOING FORWARD

For Grant, what he learned about himself will carry into his future career. His passion for genetic counseling has continued to increase throughout the internship, and he looks forward to pursuing genetic counseling after graduation.