{"id":7664,"date":"2022-03-21T16:17:54","date_gmt":"2022-03-21T21:17:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/?post_type=campus_story&#038;p=7664"},"modified":"2022-03-21T16:17:54","modified_gmt":"2022-03-21T21:17:54","slug":"blugold-shoots-for-the-stars-as-his-journey-takes-him-from-homeless-to-medical-school","status":"publish","type":"campus_story","link":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/story\/blugold-shoots-for-the-stars-as-his-journey-takes-him-from-homeless-to-medical-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Blugold &#8216;shoots for the stars&#8217; as his journey takes him from homeless to medical school"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube-nocookie.com\/embed\/yWf3qXq0yG8\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Kurt Wiegel has been teaching chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for more than 20 years, so it takes a lot for a student to surprise him.<\/p>\n<p>Still, when senior Broc Kelley texted saying that he\u2019d received a full scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wiegel says he literally dropped his phone.<\/p>\n<section>\u201cI\u2019ve never heard of it in my life,\u201d Wiegel says of a Blugold receiving a scholarship to cover the estimated $200,000 tuition for medical school. \u201cI\u2019ve heard some people getting some scholarships, but I\u2019ve never had a student who got a full ride. And I can\u2019t think of anyone who deserves it more.\u201d<\/section>\n<p>Kelley, who will graduate this spring with a biology major and minors in chemistry and pre-professional health science, says he was stunned when he got the call from the director of UW-Madison\u2019s Native American Center for Health Professions giving him the good news.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHonestly, after they said I was accepted into medical school and with a full scholarship I started crying and don\u2019t really remember anything else,\u201d Kelley says of the call, which came as he was volunteering at an Eau Claire hospital. \u201cI had to reach out to them later to get the details.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Saying he \u201cshot for the stars\u201d by applying to medical school, he\u2019s \u201cvery blessed and very lucky\u201d to be fulfilling his longtime dream of becoming a physician, Kelley says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPeople talk about liking to see good things happen to good people, and that\u2019s exactly what this is,\u201d says Wiegel, who describes Kelley as \u201camazing, kind, gentle, calm, brilliant and dedicated. He\u2019s a wonderful guy who deserves this absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kelley credits Wiegel, a professor of chemistry and biochemistry, and his other UW-Eau Claire faculty and staff mentors for guiding and supporting him as he\u2019s followed a nontraditional path that will take him to medical school in the fall.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s been a wild ride, and I couldn\u2019t have done it without my mentors,\u201d Kelley says. \u201cThey inspire me every day to be my best version of myself.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>A nontraditional journey<\/h3>\n<figure id=\"attachment_7670\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-7670\" style=\"width: 1024px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7670\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin-new\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/378\/2022\/03\/EAU_homeless-to-medschool_BrocKelley_20220214-Chemistry-0019-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Photo of Dr. Kurt Wiegel (left) and Broc Kelley, who have worked together on synthetic organic chemistry research for more than a year. Kelley has earned a full scholarship to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. (Photo by Shane Opatz)\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-7670\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Dr. Kurt Wiegel (left) and Broc Kelley have worked together on synthetic organic chemistry research for more than a year. Kelley has earned a full scholarship to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. (Photo by Shane Opatz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Kelley\u2019s \u201cwild ride\u201d to medical school includes having been homeless for a time 10 years ago.<\/p>\n<p>After high school, he hoped to go to UW-Eau Claire and then on to medical school. When he didn\u2019t get into UW-Eau Claire, Kelley enrolled at another college to study accounting. After finishing some general education classes, he realized that neither the college nor the major were a good fit, so he dropped out.<\/p>\n<p>With no job, school or real direction, he lost his way.<\/p>\n<p>Homeless and hungry, Kelley was waiting in line at an Eau Claire food bank \u2014 carrying all his belongings in the backpack that he\u2019d once used to carry his textbooks \u2014 when he promised himself that one day he\u2019d be on the other side of the table, serving meals to people in need rather than receiving them.<\/p>\n<p>Ever since, Kelley, who now is a semi-regular volunteer at The Community Table, has been working to fulfill that and other promises he made to himself during what he calls a \u201clow point\u201d in his life \u2014 promises that include dedicating his life to serving others.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI had to get real, look in the mirror and grow up a bit,\u201d Kelley says of his struggles a decade ago. \u201cI had to ask myself some hard questions about my life and future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kelley says he was fortunate that as he searched for answers, plenty of people in the Eau Claire community stepped up to help. When someone suggested he complete a certified nursing assistant program, he followed their advice. He worked as a CNA for seven years, enjoying the job but never quite letting go of his dream of going to medical school.<\/p>\n<p>So, when he saw co-workers successfully balancing school and work, he decided to give college another try. He again applied to UW-Eau Claire; this time he was accepted.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve always had an interest in medicine; I always knew that\u2019s where I wanted to go,\u201d Kelley says. \u201cFor me, the answer to the \u2018why medicine\u2019 question goes back to my childhood. I was raised by my grandmother, who instilled in me a desire to have a care mentality. She had this aura of sincerity and kindness and thoughtfulness about her. I\u2019m really trying to live my life the same way.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Finding his place on campus<\/h3>\n<p>As a Native American, nontraditional transfer student who had been away from school for a decade, Kelley says he was \u201cfeeling a little lost\u201d when he first came to UW-Eau Claire. He knew he needed to build a support network on campus if he was going to be successful.<\/p>\n<p>He didn\u2019t have to look far to find faculty and staff who were eager to help. Faculty in the chemistry and biochemistry department and in the university\u2019s Health Careers Center became trusted mentors, and staff in the Office of Multicultural Affairs provided friendship and support.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWithout all of them, I probably wouldn\u2019t have made it this far,\u201d Kelley says. \u201cThey have all been central to my success. College can be a rough time for anyone, but especially during COVID. The mentoring and friendships I\u2019ve found on campus is one of the best parts of being here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Kelley says he appreciates that UW-Eau Claire is a \u201cwelcoming campus\u201d that is working hard to meet the needs of all students, including those from underrepresented populations.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are striving and succeeding,\u201d Kelley says of UW-Eau Claire as well as his next home, UW-Madison. \u201cIt\u2019s in their mission statements, which is a good thing, but they aren\u2019t just talking, they are walking the walk.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3>Undergraduate research<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"right storyimage\"><figcaption>Dr. Kurt Wiegel (left) and Broc Kelley have worked together on synthetic organic chemistry research for more than a year. Kelley has earned a full scholarship to the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in Madison. (Photo by Shane Opatz)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>In spring 2020, Kelley was taking an organic chemistry class taught by Wiegel. Calling it the \u201cdoomed semester\u201d because the pandemic closed campus and pushed all classes online, Wiegel was impressed that Kelley still was excelling in the course despite the trying circumstances. He also noticed that Kelley was reaching out to help other students in the class who were struggling to learn in the virtual format.<\/p>\n<p>So, when he could safely reopen his research lab, Wiegel asked Kelley to join his team of undergraduate researchers. Kelley, he says, had the intellect, maturity and personality to hit the ground running, which is exactly what he needed since the experienced members of his research team had graduated or moved on during COVID.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe\u2019s done amazing work, resulting in two journal articles in preparation for submission,\u201d Wiegel says of Kelley\u2019s synthetic organic chemistry research, which involves making the liquid crystalline displays in electronic devices more stable and less prone to damage from drops and collisions. \u201cI had to do a hard reset on my group last year and he was the ideal man to help me do it. Broc has a tremendous work ethic and is a natural leader.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Working alongside Wiegel on research has been an invaluable experience, Kelley says. He learned his way around a lab, but he\u2019s also learned how to work as part of a team, accept and learn from failures, and problem solve. All those things will help him in medical school and beyond, he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGetting my feet wet as an undergraduate the way I did with proper mentorship will put me on the road to success,\u201d Kelley says.<\/p>\n<h3>Looking to the future<\/h3>\n<p>Kelley is not yet sure what path he will follow within the medical field, saying he wants to \u201ckeep my mind open and see who needs the most help.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI will go wherever there is the biggest need; wherever I can make the biggest difference,\u201d Kelley says of future specialty areas within health care. \u201cThere are big shortages of doctors serving underrepresented people in Milwaukee, on reservations and in many rural areas. So, there is no shortage of possibilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While a decade ago he \u201chit a low that most folks don\u2019t ever hit,\u201d Kelley says he will use what he learned from his struggles to be a better doctor. Those life experiences will give him valuable perspective when working with patients who may be having their own struggles, he says.<\/p>\n<p>Wherever medical school takes Kelley, Wiegel predicts he will do great things. Kelley has \u201cone of the sharpest minds I\u2019ve ever encountered in an undergraduate,\u201d and he has a kindness and gentleness about him that will help him connect with his future patients, Wiegel says.<\/p>\n<p>Kelley hopes that his success will inspire other people from underrepresented populations to dream big and \u201cshoot for the stars.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m hoping that some of my fellow family and friends who are living on reservations and in inner cities \u2014 underrepresented people who often have a hard time getting into schools \u2014 will see what is possible,\u201d Kelley says.<\/p>\n<h6>Written by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwec.edu\/profiles\/berthija\/\">Judy Berthiaume<\/a><\/h6>\n<h6>Video by\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwec.edu\/profiles\/yangjess\/\">Jesse Yang<\/a><\/h6>\n<p><strong>For the Media<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn.uwec.edu\/athena\/images\/18416\/20220214-Chemistry-0019.jpg\">Image Download<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Original story: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.uwec.edu\/news\/news\/blugold-shoots-for-the-stars-as-his-journey-takes-him-from-homeless-to-medical-school-5036\/\">https:\/\/www.uwec.edu\/news\/news\/blugold-shoots-for-the-stars-as-his-journey-takes-him-from-homeless-to-medical-school-5036\/<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dr. Kurt Wiegel has been teaching chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for more than 20 years, so it takes a lot for a student to surprise him. Still, when senior Broc Kelley texted saying that he\u2019d received a full scholarship to attend the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Wiegel [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":7670,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","institution":[96],"story_category":[],"class_list":["post-7664","campus_story","type-campus_story","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","institution-uw-eau-claire"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story\/7664","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/campus_story"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/campus_story"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7664"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7670"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"institution","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/institution?post=7664"},{"taxonomy":"story_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wisconsin.edu\/all-in-wisconsin\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/story_category?post=7664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}