Hometown: Arvada, Colorado
Bio: Dr. VanderKolk grew up in Colorado, but found her way to South Bend the first time to attend the University of Notre Dame for her undergraduate degree in biology. While there, she discovered an interest in public health and healthcare, which led to pursuing a Masters in Public Health at Saint Louis University while also working as a scribe in a local emergency room. Ultimately, she realized a career in medicine would allow her to combine her interests in service, health, and science. After returning home to the University of Colorado for medical school, she found the perfect specialty in family medicine and greatly enjoyed her time in the Rural Track program at CU. Fortunately, she found a great residency program in South Bend to complete her training. When she isn’t busy working, Dr. VanderKolk enjoys traveling, hiking, kayaking, playing piano, listening to music, and learning new craft projects.
Why Memorial: On paper, Memorial’s Family Medicine Residency had everything I was looking for: a rigorous, broad-spectrum training program in outpatient, inpatient, and obstetrics care at an unopposed, community hospital. In person, Memorial also had the one thing you need above everything else: a phenomenal, supportive community of faculty and residents that take excellent care of each other and their patients.
Clinical interests: Underserved care, chronic disease, fertility awareness, preventive medicine, prenatal care
Favorite quotes:
“As to the past, let us entrust it to God’s mercy, the future to divine providence. Our task is to live holy the present moment.” – St. Gianna Molla
“There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things. Isn’t that kind of the point?” – Pam Beesly, The Office
Favorite place to go in South Bend: The Grotto at Notre Dame
