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Makenzi Currie’s focus was clear in her high school days in Big Rapids. Athletics were on the horizon, along with studying nursing. But she didn’t expect to be doing those things at Ferris State University.

“I have lived in Big Rapids my entire life and never expected I would continue my education here,” Currie said. “As an athlete, I had to first decide on a sport to focus on, and I had a passion for softball. The Division I offer, to walk on at the University of Michigan, was my ultimate athletic dream, but it would not accommodate my desire to study nursing.”

Currie made her intentions known and quickly found they could be met by being a Nursing student and Bulldog on the diamond in Big Rapids.

“Everything worked out at Ferris. I got athletic and academic scholarships, which easily turned out to be my best opportunity,” Currie said. “My athletic experience went great, and I got so much support from my coach, Keri Becker. There was never any conflict based on my academics. Things worked out with my schedule really worked very well.”

Currie graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and took her first assignment with the Emergency Room of what was Spectrum-Butterworth Hospital on Grand Rapids’ “Medical Mile.”

“I entered into nursing with the philosophy that anywhere, anytime and anyplace, I am capable of responding,” Currie said. “I believe that is a nurse’s true calling.”

Working for a Level-One Trauma Center had benefits for a young nurse, Currie said.

“This was really the best possible outcome for me, as I received great training and added to my skills as a responder,” Currie said. “That included certificates as a Trauma Nurse-Critical Care, an Emergency Nurse-Pediatric Care and Advanced Care-Life Support.”

Living in Big Rapids and serving in Grand Rapids did not mesh with plans to start a family, so Currie moved from that active service scene to a new chapter in her career.

“I was adding shifts at Spectrum Health-Big Rapids Hospital, as a new mother that really gave me the ability to shorten my commute, work at a comfortable pace and make gains as a professional,” Currie said.

An experience with a patient sparked a move to the Susan P. Wheatlake Regional Cancer Center.

“I had always wanted to work in oncology,” Currie said. “I knew Stuart Hamel, the first person I recall whose passing in 2001 affected me. I didn’t see him as sick, until we knew he had cancer, and he died at the age of 41, before I was even an adolescent. I never forgot that.”

Currie worked with patients being treated at the regional center.

“The hours were great as we were building our family, but it is a difficult job,” Currie said. “It really pulls on your heartstrings, seeing community members coming in for their care.”

The professional journey continued as Currie took a position with Big Rapids Interventional Radiology, another Spectrum Health offering at the hospital.

“It really brought me to recall the pace of emergency room work and all the emphasis that is part of oncology care,” Currie said. “While the hours suited our family’s needs, I found the controlled chaos of interventional radiology really appealing, professionally. Some of the cancer patients I had met at the Wheatlake Center were there to work with us, again.”

Currie’s final full-time job was as the School Nurse for the Big Rapids Public Schools.

“Considering where I was in terms of raising a family, the hours were a small concern, so I did not apply the first time the position was available,” Currie said. “That wait paid off, as the next time it opened, I applied. I was looking forward to the joys of hearing students’ stories.”

She took that job near the end of February 2020, a couple of weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic, and her job went into the virtual realm to serve that campus community.

“I really found that difficult since I was home with my two youngest sons, in a role that was demanding in terms of providing the best possible service to the students,” Currie said. “I stuck with it for a while but decided it was an opportunity best suited for another nurse to assume.”

Currie has found great reward in following her passion in service to those in need, but also has a mind to help future nurses gain from her philosophy and experiences.

“I started the Master of Science in Nursing program a matter of days after one of my sons was born, wanting to become a professor,” Currie said. “I would have enjoyed focusing my passion on helping students learn and grow in nursing. Throughout my experiences in the field, I was always told the Ferris nursing alumnus would be an employer’s choice because we were ‘floor-ready,’ with practical training and encouraged to exercise critical thinking skills. We, as graduates are charged with caring for and thinking outside the box, as you respond to each patient and their needs.”

With four children to raise, Currie is happy at home now, near Big Rapids, but her part-time service as a nurse continued.

“I was doing per diem work for Spectrum, which has now become Corewell Health,” Currie said. “At first, my calls were to Big Rapids, Reed City and Evart patients, but the area of service grew.”

Makenzi said parenting is her top priority at this time.

“My husband and I are of the philosophy that ‘If you want to change the world, it starts in your home,’” Currie said. “The regional nature of my last professional role just didn’t mesh with my obligations to my growing children, so I decided to stay home for now. I left with good graces and will keep an eye on opportunities to use my skills and serve my family. Staying home is a hard job, but the rewards are always there to see and enjoy.”

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2 hurt, car careens into building after crash with deer

A high-speed deer crash sent 2 to the hospital Saturday morning after their car collided with a building along I-196.

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Woman searches for wedding rings following deadly crash

A metro Detroit woman who survived a deadly crash along I-96 in Ionia County two weeks ago is searching for her wedding band and engagement ring. The two pieces of jewelry were lost at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital in Grand Rapids.

Boston , Massachusetts , United-states , Stephanie-mikulski , Michigan-state-police , Ionia-county , Spectrum-butterworth-hospital , Boston-township ,

Jury sides with plaintiff on deliberate indifference claim

The plaintiff was serving a five-day sentence for third-degree retail fraud. Four hours after he was booked into the jail, he began exhibiting signs of alcohol withdrawal.

Michigan , United-states , Lawrencej-buckfire , Halay-yarbou , Wade-jones , Corizon-health , Court-case-no , Corizon-health-inc , Southern-division , Us-district-court , Spectrum-butterworth-hospital , Jone-eighth-amendment

Woman Critically Hurt in 48th Avenue Crash

BLENDON TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Oct. 6, 2022) - A 32-year-old woman was hurt in a two-vehicle crash west of Hudsonville on Wednesday evening. According ...

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Motorcyclist Critically Hurt in North Side Crash with Automobile

HOLLAND TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Oct. 1, 2022) - A Saturday evening two-vehicle crash involving a sedan and a motorcycle on Holland's North Side sent bot...

Netherlands , Holland , Eric-westveer , North-side , Ottawa-county-sheriff , Lieutenant-eric-westveer , Butternut-drive , West-mae-rose-drive , Riley-street , Spectrum-butterworth-hospital , Grand-rapids

Pickup Driver Hospitalized After Crash with Combine on Road Near Nunica

WRIGHT TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Sept. 30, 2022) - An 18-year-old Coopersville woman was hospitalized following a crash involving farm machinery near Nuni...

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Ronald James Gibson

Ronald James Gibson (Ron) passed away on September 27, 2022, at Spectrum Butterworth Hospital, after a brief illness from heart disease. Ron was born ...

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Motorist, Four Children Hurt in I-96 Rollover Crash

POLKTON TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Sept. 26, 2022) - A 41-year-old Muskegon man and his four youthful passengers were injured in a single-vehicle crash alo...

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Two Teens Hurt in Single-Vehicle Crash Near Holland State Park

PARK TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, Sept. 18, 2022) - Two teenagers from eastern Ottawa County were injured in a single-vehicle crash north of Holland before d...

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