Oklahoma State University: Meet Dr. Chelsea Arnhart, Nutritional Sciences Alumna

Press release from Oklahoma State University:

2022-01-05

Media Contact:
Katie Lacey | Communications Specialist | 405-744-9347 | katie.l.lacey@okstate.edu

Dr. Chelsea Arnhart, D.O., is a 2017 nutritional sciences graduate and current resident-in-training
at Oklahoma State University Pediatrics.

Upon completion of her residency, she hopes to stay in the OSU Pediatrics system and
continue working with children. Dr. Arnhart shared more about her OSU experience,
residency and future goals below: 

How would you describe the OSU experience?

Oklahoma State is home. It’s a comfortable setting to grow. It’s a place where you
are supported in whatever ventures you choose to pursue. It’s where the word 'community'
actually means something. It wasn't until I was a part of OSU that I realized how
far the community extends and how truly big and welcoming the heart is at the core
of that community.

How has OSU’s nutritional sciences program prepared and equipped you for success?

Food is the basis of existence and can make such a tremendous impact on a person's
health and overall life. What you eat truly affects how you feel, and I would not
have gotten through the difficult process of becoming a doctor without a healthy diet.
Having a background in nutritional sciences gave me the tools to better understand
research, physiology and pathophysiology during medical school. And now, it allows
me to discuss healthy habits and foods with patients and families. Also, my minor
in child development has been incredibly useful in my career as a pediatrician. All
of these things have contributed to my academic success as well as my personal health
and well-being. 

What would you say is your passion? What is your purpose?

I have numerous passions and a wide range of purposes. That was one of the beauties
of having a variety of opportunities available at OSU. I have always loved working
with children and during my first semester, I took a class called Human Lifespan Development
and discovered I adored learning about all the aspects of these tiny humans and their
journey to adulthood. Throughout my nutrition and child development classes, connections
were continually established on the impact these aspects have on each other. My freshman
or sophomore year, I stumbled into a club meeting about an opportunity to travel to
Honduras for a medical mission trip. I signed up without hesitation and became enamored
with how much I could learn about medicine and different cultures as well as different
countries' approaches to healthcare. This passion persisted throughout medical school,
with a total of five trips and counting. The experience also drove me to pursue my
master’s in global health. Personally, I am a first generation college student and
the first of anyone I knew previously who had gone to medical or any graduate school.
The process of going to college and becoming a doctor is really complicated and confusing.
I actively try to demystify the processes and educate people throughout their academic
journey. Lastly, pediatrics reveals a lot of social issues facing children and Oklahoma
families  on a daily basis, including healthcare and other issues. I strive to be
an advocate for change to better support Oklahomans at every level of society.

After completing your residency, what are your career goals?

Ultimately, I would love to continue to work within the OSU Pediatrics system. I enjoy
all of the settings in which we work — children's hospital, pediatric clinic and the
newborn nursery. I would like to continue to work in all of those areas. I also find
myself drawn to teaching and mentoring, both of which are already a large part of
pediatrics in general, but particularly in an academic setting such as a residency
program. I also hope to continue to advocate for children and families in healthcare
settings as well as at the state legislative and infrastructural levels.  

What would you say to donors in the college who support our students, faculty, staff
and programs?

Scholarships really made medical school possible for me. Between receiving scholarships
and working three part-time jobs, I was able to graduate with my bachelor's degree
entirely debt free. So, thank you to the donors who have made education for myself
and people like me possible; the help you provide is invaluable to countless students.
Your contribution makes education more attainable and benefits  innumerable students
who would not otherwise have such an opportunity.

This press release was produced by Oklahoma State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.