class family. His mother and father operated Michigan Clothiers, a retail men’s clothing store. His older brother served in the military while his younger brother went to college. Finkelstein stayed with the store and worked while taking some night classes. He grew up knowing that good things would come if he would just ‘stick to it’ through hard work and a firm commitment to his goals, his family, and his community. He worked closely with his brothers over the years; and one of the most important lessons taught to them is something his father told them: to work hard and stick together no matter what. “I am happy to be the one to ‘start off’ the health campus because I’m excited about what is happening in West Michigan. I want to help keep it going. Our medical care is the finest, not necessarily the largest, but certainly the best. Grand Valley plays an important part in that quality, and we need more of their talented graduates caring for our families,” says Finkelstein. From a physical therapy graduate’s perspective, Platko couldn’t agree more. “Grand Valley has great professors and that is a huge part of what makes a program successful. Anyone can provide the course work and the didactics, but when professors are able to relate it to actual patients and clinical decision-making within the context of a real patient, I think that is what makes a big difference. Grand Valley health programs make it more clinically applicable.”
Jamie Platt, a Kirkhof College of Nursing
(KCON) student and mother of 3, is equally grateful for the health programs at Grand Valley. Platt is attending theory class, clinicals, and labs every week in addition to the work she is doing in her community health rotation. At Grand Valley, she’s been able to participate in clinicals around the entire West Michigan area where she works hands-on in small groups with the aid of a registered nurse and an instructor. “My family is so important to me…and so is
my education. I feel like my classmates are a part of my family — we spend so much time together. Because of KCON, I am determined to make a change in my community. I want to change legislation to better support mothers in the workplace. KCON has shown me that there is need in different areas in our community where I can help make a difference. I just want to say thank you. Thank you so much to the donor who started this off and to those who will continue to support it and make a change in our community.” When Finkelstein talks about the impact he is making on students he says with a smile, “I want these incredible health students to stay here. I hope to inspire others to give in the same way. Let’s work hard and stick together…no matter what.”
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