Health Sciences Spotlight

Meet Mercedes Morsching, a senior major from Morristown, MN, who is on the Pre-Occupational Therapy Track of the Health Sciences major.  In her last year at Drake, Mercedes was able to have an internship at the Iowa Department of Public Health in Des Moines, IA.

Name:   Mercedes Morsching

Tell us about your internship, and what your primary role was?

​I am interning at the Iowa Department of Public Health in the Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services. My primary role is to teach fall prevention classes to the elderly population throughout the Des Moines community. When I am not out in the community facilitating a class, I attend IDPH meetings and help with projects throughout the office.

How do you feel Drake prepared you for this experience?

​Drake has prepared me in many ways for this expereince with the course load. The health science curriculum starts to prepare us for our internships by having us take health science classes that prepare us to be health professionals in the community, such as ethics and values.

What was your biggest lesson from this experience?

I have not spent a lot of time with elderly individuals so having the chance to interface with that population has been great. I have also learned how large of a need there is to decrease the number of falls that are occurring not only in Iowa but in other states as well. I never fully understood how large of a problem falls were until starting this internship.

Do you have a favorite memory from this experience?

​My favorite memory from this experience so far has been getting to meet new people when teaching fall prevention classes and building relationships with the professionals that work at the Iowa Department of Public Health.

What are a few things you've liked most about your time as a Health Sciences major at Drake?

One of the biggest reasons I love being a health science major at Drake is because of the faculty. I have been able to build great relationships with my professors and they are always so willing to help me succeed. When choosing a college I knew that was something I would need.

What accomplishments are you most proud of from your time at Drake?

​I was recently accepted into Drake's Occupational Therapy Doctorate program! Drake helped prepare me to be the best candidate for graduate programs as I could be through the curriculum, advisor meetings, and overall support from professors.

What is one piece of advice you have for future Drake Health Sciences students?

Don't be afraid to reach out and build connections with professors and faculty because they are more than willing to help you succeed. I would also say utilize the many resources that Drake has to offer students!