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Dr. Catherine Henry

Graduate Profile: Dr. Catherine Henry

Catherine Henry credits her liberal arts education with broadening her perspective as a person and a doctor.

“Being a biology major gave me a good background for the basic science portions of medical school, and it helped develop a problem-solving, inquisitive mind,” the 1981 graduate says.

“I believe my education and other experiences at Alma helped me be a more creative, eloquent, organized and effective leader.”

After graduating, she attended medical school at Wayne State University. She is now a staff physician at The Cleveland Clinic Foundation Head & Neck Institute.

Dr. Catherine Henry at the finish of the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic.

Dr. Catherine Henry at the finish of the Seattle to Portland Bicycle Classic.

Henry was attracted to Alma after attending a weekend career development workshop at the College. She majored in biology and minored in chemistry.

“The biology major gave me just about everything I needed for pursuing medical school,” she says.

“Pre-professional advising was primarily helpful in terms of setting up my schedule to take the right classes to apply for medical school, but also to explore my options for what to do if I didn't get in.”

She was the national president of the American Medical Women’s Association in 1999. She and her husband also participate in century (100 mile) bike rides around the country to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

While at Alma, she was involved in choir, theater, Kappa Iota sorority and Inter-Varsity Christian fellowship. She also wrote for the Almanian student newspaper.

 

The Alma College Percussion Ensemble performed at the prestigious Centrum Jazz Festival, an international festival in Port Townsend, Wash., in July 2007. Alma was the only college group invited to perform. “It’s a huge honor,” says faculty director Dave Zerbe. “You can’t apply to perform there; they seek you out.”

 

Student Profile

Sara Swanton
Graduation: 2009
Major: Exercise and Health Science

Sara Swanton didn’t realize she wanted to be a doctor when she came to Alma College, but her exercise and health science major cemented the decision.

“Alma was great because the EHS program was so unique that going into college undecided would still offer me enough options,” the Saginaw junior says. “When I have to take some of these same classes in medical school at a higher level I know I will already be ahead of other students because I have been introduced to the material.”