My Life. My Northwestern.
Sometimes change is good. Check out the newest change to Northwestern Today – the employee and student spotlight. The new Northwestern People feature is in the form of a survey, but not just any kind of survey. It is a survey of questions that are a little bit…unique and different. Interested? Get to know your fellow Northwestern People in a new light.
My Name: Amanda Parish
Childhood Ambition: To become a veterinarian or marine biologist
On My iPod: Michael Franti, Phish, Bob Marley
Retreat: Family cabin in Northern Wisconsin
Wildest Dream: Travel the world meeting people from exotic places while giving acupuncture treatments and taking photographs
Proudest Moment: Finishing a half marathon alongside my dad in a race to benefit pancreatic cancer – a disease I lost one of my best friends to
Biggest Challenge: Deciding to go back to school and completely changing my life to do it
Perfect Day: Sleep in, healthy organic breakfast, some sort of outdoor activity, being around friends and family at the lake, fun dinner out on the town
First Job: Lifeguard when I was 16
Indulgence: Appetizers
Last Purchase: Postage – super exciting…
Favorite Movie: Avatar. Love it
Inspiration: Happy people who make their dreams come true while making the world a better place
My Life: is a constant adventure and I like it that way
My School: T6 MCAOM student at Northwestern
My Name: Kate Sanders
Childhood Ambition: Professional ice skater
On My iPod: Revive Me by Jeremy Camp
Retreat: Family cabin in Northern Wisconsin
Wildest Dream: Becoming a surgeon
Proudest Moment:Performing my first opera
Biggest Challenge: Moving 1,200 miles from home
Perfect Day: Hiking on a cool fall day at Lucifer Falls in Ithaca, NY
First Job: Dairy Queen
Indulgence: Caribou Coffee and Grey’s Anatomy
Last Purchase: Lunch at Chipotle
Favorite Movie: Ever After
Inspiration: The Bible
My Life: is beautiful
My Job: Massage Therapy student at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Bill Kuehl
Childhood Ambition: Play professional baseball
On My iPod: Casting Crowns/David Cook/Third Day
Retreat: Relaxing with a favorite book and a cup of coffee on a warm summer day on Cape Cod
Wildest Dream: Take an African safari / Watch a baseball game in every Major League stadium in the country
Proudest Moment:Birth of my son / Studying abroad as an exchange student for a year after high school
Biggest Challenge: Having patience with difficult people
Perfect Day: Sunny; 70 degrees; cup of coffee; no worries; a vacation day
First Job:Little League umpire
Favorite Book: The Last Lecture
Indulgence: Fresh, hot, just made Krispy Kreme™ donut
Last Purchase:Groceries and gas
Favorite Movie: Bull Durham
Inspiration: God
My Life: It has been an amusement park ride: It has been fun at times and scary at others.
My Job: Director of admissions at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Chelsea Ruka
Childhood Ambition: Veterinarian
On My iPod: Iron & Wine, Regina Spektor, everything 90’s
Retreat: The beach
Wildest Dream: Traveling around the world by myself
Proudest Moment: Graduating from college
Biggest Challenge: Being disconnected/without my phone
Perfect Day: Reading the newspaper at a coffee shop in the morning, relaxing at the beach all day with friends, going out to dinner/grilling out at night.
First Job: Hostess at Texas Roadhouse. Yes, we had to line dance to “Cotton-Eyed Joe” every hour. No, it was not glamorous.
Indulgence: Ben and Jerry’s Chunky Monkey Ice Cream
Last Purchase: Earrings
Favorite Movie: How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
Inspiration: My Mom and Grandma
My Life: is happy
My Job: Communications intern at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Brent Paulson
Childhood Ambition: Firefighter
On My iPod: Fleetwood Mac
Retreat: Demo Derby
Proudest Moment:Getting out of the water on two water skis
Biggest Challenge: Talking to girls
Perfect Day: Dog sitting
First Job:Dog walker
Indulgence: Apple Pie
Last Purchase:Dress shoes
Favorite Movie: Rudy
Inspiration: Greg Petersen
My Life: …is awesome.
My Job: T3 Chiropractic student at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Rebecca Leonard
Childhood Ambition: To become an elementary school teacher
On My iPod: Beatles, Eminem, Weezer, Adele, Al Greene Keane
Retreat: In Minnesota: Backyard patio at my boyfriend’s parents house. Out of Minnesota: Costa Rica
Wildest Dream: To move to New York and become a fashion designer
Proudest Moment: When I graduated from college
Biggest Challenge: Three years ago I realized that elementary education was not the perfect fit for me. I had to figure out what I wanted to do with my life.
Perfect Day: Starbucks, facial and pedicure, walk with my dog and boyfriend, tanning poolside for a couple of hours, dinner and drinks out at a restaurant I haven’t been to before with a great outdoor space
First Job: Squirt baseball/t-ball coach and lifeguard
Indulgence: Pizza and wine
Last Purchase: New pair of running shoes – after taking a two-year hiatus from running, I am determined to start back up again.
Favorite Movie: This isn’t a movie, but I love the Sex and the City series – I know, total girl!
Inspiration: My previous manager, Gwen Brown
My Life: continues to surprise me and I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
My Job: Admissions counselor for the MCAOM program at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Eric Ortman
Childhood Ambition: To be a train engineer or a Vikings football player
On My iPod: Mostly 80’s music
Retreat: My cabin
Wildest Dream: Owning my own practice (chiropractic)
Proudest Moment:I’ve had several including high school graduation, graduation from A.F. law enforcement school, graduation from Iowa State University and coming back to school as a chiropractic student.
Biggest Challenge: At this point in time, becoming a chiropractor. Ultimately, living a life that is consistent with God’s will.
Perfect Day: Laying on the beach in Mexico in the middle of winter.
First Job:A & W Restaurant – Fry Cook
Indulgence: Pizza
Last Purchase:Bing cherries from Cub Foods!
Favorite Movie: Caddyshack
Inspiration: To lead a purpose-driven life, helping and healing through God’s hands.
My Life:has been a miraculous journey!
My Job: Chiropractic student at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: MacKenzie Collins
Childhood Ambition: Professional figure skater
On My iPod: Dave Barnes, Keane, The Beatles, Girl Talk
Retreat: A long run by the Mississippi River
Wildest Dream: Skydiving - I'm afraid of heights!
Proudest Moment: Any race I've ever finished
Biggest Challenge: Living in Spain on my own
First Job: Hostess
Perfect Day: Pulling in on a train somewhere they don't speak English and meandering with a good friend
Indulgence: Freezies and pickles
Last Purchase: iPod Touch
Favorite Movie: Vicky Cristina Barcelona or Dumb and Dumber
Inspiration: Mom
My Life: is spontaneous daily, long term planned
My Job: PR intern at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Carlyle “Bobcat” Scott
Childhood Ambition: Rock star, tattooist or fireman
On My iPod: Hank Williams Jr., Guns ‘N’ Roses, all other music
Retreat: Wrestling room
Proudest Moment: Just too many to list
Biggest Challenge: Paying attention in class
First Job: Surveying for Dad
Perfect Day:
Six-pack of PBR, nice lady, fishing, no work, great weather
Indulgence: Parties with seafood
Last Purchase: Sweet Margaritaville loafers (shoes)
Favorite Movie: Monty Python “Quest for the Holy Grail”
Inspiration: My parents – hard-working, caring and very generous.
My Life: Is mostly a ride in the clouds, with a couple sweet roller coaster twists and a couple of punches in the face.
My Job: Chiropractic student at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Sarah Erickson
Childhood Ambition: Broadway star
On My iPod: MGMT, Phoenix, any music found on The Current
Retreat: My couch with a book (nerd alert)
Proudest Moment:College graduation
Biggest Challenge: Spelling words correctly with no spell check
First Job:Dairy Queen Blizzard extraordinaire
Perfect Day: Sunny day on the lake
Indulgence: Pump House Creamery sunflower seed ice cream! Delish!
Last Purchase: Travel size sunscreen
Favorite Movie: Back to the Future Part II
Inspiration: Seeing others succeed
My Life:Is one big coincidence.
My Job: Admissions representative for the School of Massage Therapy at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Kate Martin
Childhood Ambition: To be an attorney.
Fondest Memory : Summers at our lake cabin.
On My iPod: Everything from Cat Stevens to the Dixie Chicks to Jack Johnson. My new faves: the Romanovs, Jamie Cullum.
Retreat: Spending time with my sisters.
Wildest Dream: To write a book.
Proudest Moment: Raising three boys - still at it!
Biggest Challenge: Fitting it all into 24 hours.
Alarm Clock : 5 a.m. - maybe 6 on a weekend.
Perfect Day: Nothing on the calendar, hanging with my boys.
Indulgence: French vanilla cream in my coffee.
Last Purchase: Wine. (aptly labeled 'Middle Sister').
Inspiration: My younger sister Betsy.
My Life: Is full.
My Job: Public Relations Coordinator at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Shanna Shouman
Childhood Ambition: To be a health care professional. I always knew I wanted to be the person that figured out why people didn’t feel well. Patients are like puzzles.
On My iPod: The Killers or Muse. Great bands.
Retreat: On, in, or around a lake with a good book.
Wildest Dream: Hmmm… coming across large sums of money? It would be nice to not worry about student loans.
Proudest Moment: Setting up a volunteering opportunity for my brother and me in Nairobi, Kenya, then actually going there, living there and treating patients.
Biggest Challenge: Finding words to express myself. I have a tiny vocabulary.
Perfect Day:
Waking up early, drinking a cup of coffee while reading the newspaper, then spending the whole day with my husband, Ali.
First Job:16 years old. Pizza Hut cook. Not glamorous.
Indulgence: DQ Blizzards
Last Purchase:A 12-week-old yellow lab named Abby.
Favorite Movie: Avatar. I’m a sucker for sci-fi/fantasy.
Inspiration: My father. He has worked so hard and is a brilliant chiropractor.
My Life:I feel like I learn so much everyday!
My Job: Student Senate president and chiropractic student at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Hans Skifton Thurmer
Childhood Ambition: To play wide receiver, but I couldn’t decide between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Minnesota Vikings
On My iPod: Paolo Nutini, Django Reinhardt, Rodrigo y Gabriela, Storyhill; my good buddy Jon Aanestad
Retreat: Playing acoustic guitar in my living room, getting out into nature and cycling with music on my headphones
Wildest Dream: Learn to sail, build a boat and sail from Norway to Spain
Proudest Moment: Singing in the Luther College Nordic Choir
Biggest Challenge: Cycling from Seattle to San Diego on a solo self-supported bicycle tour
First Job: I started a lawn mowing business with a buddy called “Clean and Green”
Indulgence: Coffee, strong and black
Last Purchase:Tibetan prayer flags for my girlfriend, Lauren
Favorite Movie: A River Runs Through It
Inspiration: Leonardo Da Vinci, Jesus, my dad
My Life:“Gratitude is the cornerstone of an inspired life.”
My Job: Clinical specialist at Kenwood Chiropractic Arts and chiropractic student at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Nathan Cornelius
Childhood Ambition: Military pilot
On My iPod: Rock, country, alternative rock, some hip hop
Retreat: Little Bemidji Lake by Detroit Lakes
Wildest Dream: Meeting my daughter before she was born
Proudest Moment:Seeing one of the teams I was a strength coach for (in college) win the national title
Biggest Challenge: Making it through school with my sanity intact
Perfect Day: 85 degrees, sun shining, beer on ice, sitting on the lake
First Job: Working in a welding shop
Indulgence: Five Guys or Matt’s Bar
Last Purchase: Weight lifting belt
Favorite Movie: Boondock Saints
Inspiration: My father and my boss
My Life: Has been good and bad but I regret none of it
My Job: Chiropractic student at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Mike Healy
Childhood Ambition: Play sports all day, every day with my friends
On My iPod: Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Grateful Dead
Retreat: On any boat, on any lake, with a fishing pole
Wildest Dream: That my kids live in a world without war
Proudest Moment: Births of my two sons, Jack and Sean
Biggest Challenge: Thinking before speaking
Perfect Day:
Spending a warm, sunny afternoon watching the Twins at Target field
First Job:Paper route for local newspaper
Indulgence: Guinness
Last Purchase:Toys
Favorite Movie: Stepbrothers
Inspiration: My wife Julie
My Life:is about spending time with my family, but also getting time for myself as a varsity sports official and enjoying making the right call on a close play
My Job: Development Associate for Alumni, Development and Career Services at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Susan Ricketts
Childhood Ambition: To be a dietician like my spinster aunt. I am a spinster but not a dietician
On My iPod: Lady Gaga…IF I had an iPod
Retreat: The porch of my new house
Wildest Dream: It involved George Clooney. Enough said
Proudest Moment: I have a fear of heights but I went skydiving anyway
Perfect Day: Rainy days
First Job: Detasseling corn, of course...I’m from Iowa
Indulgence: Large vanilla coffee cooler from Caribou
Last Purchase:A hacksaw
Favorite Movie: Harold and Maude
My Life: unplanned
My Job: Communications project coordinator at Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Scott Palmer
Childhood Ambition: To become a police officer
On My iPod: Keith Urban, John Mayer, Jars of Clay
Retreat: Working out
Wildest Dream: To climb Mt. McKinley
Proudest Moment: Birth of my kids
Biggest Challenge: A 90 minute commute (until we can relocate)
Perfect Day: Hanging out with family at a cabin in the mountains
First Job: Painting houses in the summer with my grandfather
Indulgence: Cake batter
Last Purchase: “The 8th Habit,” a book by Stephen Covey
Favorite Movie: Good Will Hunting
Inspiration: Humble people who live with a sense of purpose
My Life: is better than I expected it to be
My Job: Chief development officer, Northwestern Health Sciences University
My Name: Matt Skalski
Childhood Ambition: To be a lawyer or architect
On My iPod: Relaxing or workout music or classical music for study
Retreat: Getting out into nature where not many people are
Wildest Dream: To travel to every major country before I die
Proudest Moment:When I finish school here
Biggest Challenge: Every time I sit down to study, or waking up in the morning
Perfect Day: Rolling out of bed and hiking in the mountains
First Job: Working as a certified nursing assistant at a hospital in my hometown when I was 15
Indulgence: Good beer
Last Purchase: Cafeteria food
Favorite Movie: In the Army Now with Pauly Shore, and the Harry Potter movies
Inspiration: Helping as many people as possible
My Life: is very unfocused, I like to try to do everything
My Job: Chiropractic student at Northwestern Health Sciences University