Pre-Health Students Travel to Appalachia

Each summer since 2019, a group of Saginaw Valley State University pre-health students has traveled with Heidi Lang, SVSU pre-health professions advisor, to Wise, Virginia. There, they participate in a free clinic conducted by rural healthcare provider, St. Mary’s Health Wagon. In 2025, the clinic extended care to pets as well. 

During the 2025 health clinic, 1,320 people and 575 pets received over $522,000 worth of care. 

In the months preceding the trip, students selected for the trip learn about rural health care and collaborate on service projects, building the teamwork and trust necessary for honest, meaningful conversations after long days in the clinic. Once in Virginia, they tour the region’s coal communities to better understand the historical and economic challenges their clinic patients face. It all culminates in 48 transformational hours working alongside dedicated health professionals at the annual clinic.

“This trip has completely changed how I view veterinary medicine,” said Brenna Janisse, a December 2025 graduate who is currently applying to veterinary programs. “Seeing how desperate some families are to get care for their animals shows how far a little compassion can go.” 

Appalachian Virginia is home to more than 700,000 people, with many of them lacking access to basic healthcare. This makes veterinary care for pets even more difficult to obtain. 

One patient that stood out to Janisse was a kitten whose eye had come out of its socket. Because they did not have the resources to treat the kitten at the clinic, a GoFundMe page was set up by Lang and Janisse. Enough funds were raised to pay for the kitten’s eye treatment, giving it a second chance at life. 

Dawson White, also a Fall 2025 graduate and a student leader for the trip, said the experience sharpened his understanding of healthcare disparities in the United States and the particular challenges of rural and isolated settings. 

“Health outcomes are unfortunately determined by zip code in this country,” White mentioned. “I witnessed the amount of compassion, persistence and targeted effort required to address such disparities, as well as the profound impact of individuals coming together to serve those in need.” 

One of his most powerful takeaways was the importance of listening. He observed providers who would set down their pens, sit back, and give patients their full attention. This helped the patients feel heard, respected and valued. While working in the clinic, White decided to adopt the same approach.  

“I focused on putting my own pen down and listening to patients' stories and explanations, which may have made all the difference in their care and been all that they needed,” he said.  

“The experience deepened my gratitude for the opportunities I have been given,” White said. “It helped me recognize the vital importance of access to opportunity. Aspirations must be supplied with access and support for individuals to reach their full potential.”  White is currently applying to Physician Assistant programs. 

Creating that access for future SVSU students requires support. 

SVSU students devote a full week of their summer to this experience— taking time off work in addition to covering their travel costs. For some, the financial burden keeps this transformational experience out of reach. Your support during Oppor2nity Days (March 18–19) will help make this experience accessible to more interested pre-health students.

If you would like to support this invaluable program, it’s not too late!
Give at https://svsu.edu/opp26