Photo by Timothy Haunert
Story by Patricia Ellis
Katie Heath is just 16 years old but she is no stranger to volunteering. She has been involved in numerous volunteer activities since she was a child. That's been in large part because her mother Elisabeth Heath, M.D., FACP, associate center director of Translational Sciences and leader of the Genitourinary Oncology Multidisciplinary Team at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute, and professor at Wayne State School of Medicine, exposed Katie to service opportunities at a young age.
"I've been volunteering at Karmanos Cancer Institute events since I was 10 years old and feel fortunate that I've gotten to experience many opportunities through the years and meet many people. It's made me realize how fortunate I've been to experience diverse activities related to STEM and help provide resources for those impacted by cancer," said Heath.
"I also realized that many of my peers don't have those same opportunities so I wanted to create a program that would offer them an opportunity to network and hear directly from experts in the STEM field."
After several months of researching and networking, Heath created FocuSSTEM NextGen, a program that provides exposure to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) to interested high school students in southeast Michigan. The program allows the students to experience a one-day immersive experience at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, an academic medical center and distinguished National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, to further learn and open the possibility for a career in the STEM field.
Both of Heath's parents are in the medical field – her mother is a medical oncologist and her father a cardiologist – so she and her older sister have role models that encourage and exposed them to different opportunities to further their learning, both in the classroom and in the community. Heath said her cumulative experience as a volunteer helped motivate her to create the STEM program at Karmanos.
"I feel very fortunate but I also want my peers to have similar opportunities to help them succeed and not give up on their dreams and interest in the STEM field. My hope is that this program will help students open up to the possibility of considering STEM as a career path."
In addition to working with the team at Karmanos, Heath collaborated with area high schools, including Detroit International Academy for Young Women, Frederick Douglass Academy for Young Men, Fordson High School and Avondale High School for the one-day immersion experience. In addition to the one-day experience, Heath also designed a two-week summer intensive program at Karmanos for those who want to further their exposure in STEM. There will be three two-week sessions for a limited amount of students who will be selected through an application process.
Due to her passion for encouraging students to consider a future in STEM, Heath was recently selected as the American Cancer Society's Junior Ambassador for its ResearcHERS: Women Fighting Cancer initiative in Michigan, set to launch May 1. The initiative is a national movement to support women in the STEM field.
“American Cancer Society ResearcHERS ambassadors commit to sustaining women-led cancer research and inspiring a new generation of young women considering careers in science,” said Jennifer Beamer, director of Community Development for the American Cancer Society.
“Katie is a shining example of what it means to be a ResearcHERS ambassador. Using her passion for STEM and her networks, she has created an incredible program to provide access and information to inspire young people to pursue careers and educational opportunities in science-related fields.”
The FocuSSTEM NextGen program is complimentary to high school students. In addition to Karmanos Cancer Institute, other partner organizations include Wayne State University, the National Arab American Medical Association NextGEN and The Links Incorporated, Detroit Chapter.
“Karmanos Cancer Institute has some of the brightest minds in medicine and, as an academic cancer center, our clinical and research experts continually teach and mentor future scientists,” said Gerold Bepler, M.D., Ph.D., president and CEO, Karmanos Cancer Institute.
“We are passionate about those we serve as well as discovering new therapies and procedures that can help save lives, right here in Detroit and across the globe. We are excited to encourage and inspire the next generation of clinicians and researchers to carry on this critical work.”
Heath is a junior at Bloomfield Hills High School, serves as a Junior Fellow at the PuLSE Institute, and is active in numerous other activities including DECA, HOSA, and BuildOn. In addition, she is principle flutist in her school's symphony band and orchestra.
For more information about cancer services, volunteer opportunities or other ways to support, call 1-800-KARMANOS (1-800-527-6266).
WATCH: 16-year-old girl Karmanos volunteer aims to get other teens into STEM careers - WJBK Fox 2 Detroit
Patricia Ellis is the director of media relations for the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute.