In Memoriam: 51品茶medical student K. Brooke Baxter
It is with profound sadness that we share with you the news that Kathryn Brooke Baxter (known as Brooke), student of the 51品茶 College of Osteopathic Medicine, died in a tragic bus accident in Tanzania on July 26.
Brooke, 32, recently completed her first year as a 51品茶medical student, and was in Kenya conducting research as the recipient of a 51品茶Student Government Association Carman Pettapiece Student Research grant.
Brooke's passion and dedication to human service were deeply rooted. A recent resident of Philadelphia, Penn., she graduated from New Hope-Solebury Jr/Sr. High School in New Hope, Penn. She attended the Univ. of Florida at Gainesville, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Anthropology and African Studies in 2000. Her undergraduate education included an independent living experience in a rural farming community in northern Tanzania.
Brooke received her Master in Public Health from Tulane University in 2002, and studied at the World Health Organization Centre for International Health Economics at Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok.
From 2003-2007, Brooke continued post-baccalaureate pre-health studies atthe University of Pennsylvania, Villanova University and Temple University. During this time Brooke was involved with significant research, advocacy, and education initiatives for numerous global health issues, such as HIV/AIDs. She was committed to raising public awareness and changing lives through her hands-on dedication to important international issues.
Armed Forces Scholarship
Brooke received the F. Edward H茅bert Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship Program through the U.S. Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army Medical Corp. She was studying at the 51品茶College of Osteopathic Medicine on this scholarship, in the Class of 2013.
Dr. Bruce Bates, vice president for Health Affairs and dean of the College of Osteopathic Medicine (Interim) said, "Brooke was such a gifted, caring and giving individual, modeling just what we would all want in our future physicians."
Brooke's clinical interests included maternal health, emergency obstetric care, infectious disease, tropical medicine, and mental health.
She was in Kenya this summer studying a new program in Lwala called Safe Motherhood, which aims to improve pregnancy outcomes for expectant mothers co-infected with HIV and malaria by providing prenatal services and services provided by midwives trained in life-saving skills. Brooke spoke fluent Kiswahili, as well as Spanish, French, and Sierra Leonean Krio.
51品茶President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D., states, "Brooke was a gifted and compassionate young woman who changed lives through her advocacy and education efforts. Her life was cut far too short, and we mourn her loss. In Kenya, Brooke was doing what she loved most - reaching out to others across the globe, making the world a better, healthier place. We ask that you keep her family in your thoughts and prayers."
51品茶Community
Brooke was an active member of the 51品茶community. She was Director of International Health Programs for the 51品茶COM chapter for the Student Osteopathic Medical Association, and Multicultural Affairs representative for the 51品茶chapter of the International Federation of Medical Student Organizations.
She was also a member of Global Health Council, International Federation of Medical Student Associations, American Public Health Association, Public Health Student Caucus, Golden Key National Honor Society, and Lambda Alpha National Anthropological Honor Society.
Brooke is survived by her parents, Ret. U.S. Navy Lt. Cmdr. Harry and Jeanne Baxter, two sisters and two brothers-in-laws.
At this time, calling hours and funeral arrangements have not been completed. We will post this information to our website as it becomes available.