Lodi Academy graduates four future docs

Almost 15 percent of Lodi Academy's Class of 2005 is heading to medical school in the fall — and three will be attending the same Southern California university to earn that degree.

Four graduates of the private Seventh-day Adventist school recently received the news at their respective undergraduate colleges, and three provided an update on their future plans.

The fourth, Grace Lee, could not be reached for comment, but she, too, plans to attend Loma Linda University, according to a Lodi Academy administrator.

Benjamin Jensen

Benjamin Jensen

Age: 22.

Family: Parents Kami and Espen Jensen, of Lodi, and a 19-year-old sister who is currently attending Pacific Union University in the Napa area.

Current college: Pacific Union University.

Graduation: June.

Medical school: Loma Linda University.

Specialty: Undecided, but considering becoming an anesthesiologist or something general surgery-related. "I like the whole process."

How did he know he wanted to be in the medical field?: In elementary school, he initially wanted to be a scientist, but a visit with his uncle who is an orthopedic surgeon in Chicago changed that. "I already liked science, so I figured, what the heck?"

Ishaan Swarup

Ishaan Swarup

Age: 20.

Family: Parents Sachin and Pratina Swarup, of Morada, and a 25-year-old sister in medical school in New York.

Current college: University of California, Berkeley.

Graduation: May.

Medical school: Likely Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, although he's been accepted to four and invited to interview at 12 across the United States.

Specialty: Undecided. "I want to go in with an open mind." He has spent the last few years in research, so will likely go that route or become a teacher at a medical school.

How did he know he wanted to be in the medical field?: Both of his parents are doctors.

Jasmine Turner

Jasmine Turner

Age: 22.

Family: Walter and Deborah Turner, who live in Washington, and sister Jacinta currently studying abroad on humanitarian service before returning to nursing studies.

Current college: Oakwood University in Huntsville, Ala.

Graduation: May.

Medical school: Likely Loma Linda University, although she's been accepted to three others as well.

Specialty: Obstetrics and gynecology or emergency medicine.

How did she know she wanted to be in the medical field?: According to her parents, she decided in elementary school after a career presentation by a local community member. Plus, she has always been into science.

Loma Linda University at a glance

Loma Linda University is a Seventh-day Adventist educational health-sciences institution with more than 4,000 students located in Southern California.

Eight schools and the Faculty of Graduate Studies comprise the University organization.

More than 55 programs are offered by the schools of Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Religion and Science and Technology.

Curricula offered range from certificates of completion and associate in science degrees to doctor of philosophy and professional doctoral degrees.

Students from more than 80 countries around the world and virtually every state in the nation are represented within the study body.

Source: www.llu.edu

Contact reporter Jennifer Bonnett at jenniferb@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

SJUNE74 wrote on Mar 24, 2009 8:28 PM:

" Not all are made out to be DR & Lawyers!!! Some people are only going to go as far as their brains let them. Some may need to apply themselves more to get there. Sometime education comes easy for others have to work harder & still not able to get ahead!!!
Yes I agree Some Public Schools could do better by their Students!!! "

Report Abuse

Lets Be Real wrote on Mar 23, 2009 1:16 PM:

" Congrat to these wonderful youndg people in our community. It is always good to see you excel in your chose profession. There is no doubt that your parents' involvement is a large part of your past and future success!

Congrats again! "

Report Abuse

edumacation wrote on Mar 23, 2009 11:10 AM:

" Excellent! Bravo! Another example of how hard work, discipline and no excuses encourages students to achieve at the highest academic levels. This private school had 15% of its class going to Medical School. Lodi Unified High schools don't have 1 % of its graduates achieve like this. The reasons are obvious. Going to college or graduate school is not a "right" but the result of hard work, intelligence, competition and discipline by students parents and teachers.

Our school board should ask themselves why the LUSD is failing our children.

Instead, we get Odie, his edumacrat clowns and his SEED propaganda that blames "white" people for the failures of our public schools. What about RESPONSIBILITY, ACCOUNTABILITY and DISCIPLINE? "

Report Abuse

Comments on this story are now closed.

Archives

Story Tools

Indexes