Biology and Chemistry - Alumni Profile - Janelle Yutzie Blubaugh

Janelle Yutzie Blubaugh, M.D.
Surgeon
Clearwater, Kan.

How did you choose Hesston College?
My first impression of HC was women's basketball coach Joel Kauffman. He had flown out to Oregon to see me play. When I actually visited the campus, I knew right away it was a good fit. Everyone at Hesston seemed to really WANT to be there, you figure getting people from so many different states and countries to come live in the middle of Kansas for two years, there must be something special going on.

What are your favorite memories from your Hesston years?
A lot of these revolve around basketball: road trips, winning the Thanksgiving tournament at home my sophomore year, and making it to the national tournament. I also remember that we had to miss a week of classes for that trip and none of the professors were upset--they were excited for our team and what that meant for the school. Jim Yoder and Hugo Boschmann videotaped their lectures for the whole week while I was gone!

What were your favorite courses? Who were your favorite profs?
Organic Chemistry with Jim Yoder and all my biology classes with Hugo Boschmann were my favorites because they were SO hard. Doing well in their classes is still something I am very proud of. Jim and Hugo have such passion for what they teach and their classes. Their high expectations of me were great preparation for classes in medical school a few years later.

How did your Hesston experience shape you ?
It was a complete education, not just science, not just religion. It was a good base for me to build on when I transferred to another school. I was allowed to grow as a person and be nutured at the same time in that very unique environment and community, I don't think that can be recreated at any other college in the country. When I left Hesston, I was prepared for bigger challenges and I had the strength in my faith and my education to back it up. Jim and Hugo were HUGE influences on me, both of them in their own way having taught me that you don't have to decide between being a scientist and being a Christian, but instead, to really understand and appreciate science, you have to have faith with the One that created it.

Where have you gone/what have you done since finishing Hesston?
After Hesston I graduated from Friends University in Wichita and then on to medical school at the University of Kansas. I am finishing my last year of general surgery residency and plan to enter private practice in general surgery in Wellington, Kansas, in August 2008.

What are some some key points that prospective students should consider about Hesston?
Hesston is a two-year college but you will find much more in terms of academic excellence than you would find at a community college. The caliber and quality of instruction I received at Hesston and the difficulty of coursework was excellent preparation for medical school. When I transferred to Friends University to complete my bachelor's degree, I presented course work from Hesston in order for my credits to transfer. My professors at Friends were floored when they saw the the rigorous nature of my course work and there was never another mention of me having to repeat any of those classes in order to receive my degree.