Class of 2008/2009
Mr. Birchler was in Jackson, Michigan the night of the tornadoes (August 24, 2023). His car was damaged, and an appraiser had to assess the costs of repair. It turns out the appraiser is the father of Cassie Schmidt Greshow (pm session) and her sister Paige (Rehab 2013/2014). Mr. Schmidt reports that Cassie lives in Mason and is in training to become administrator of a rehab facility in Mason.
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Carlos, Sofia and Kristen (Kuehne) Zaragoza (am session) - Christmas 2022
A "small world" story: Mrs. Birchler was having her annual furnace service in December 2021. Prior to his departure the technician said "you look familiar". The usual response is to ask if that person went to the Career Center. Indeed the technician had gone to the Career Center and identified that his older sister had been in a health science program. He identified his sister as Alicia Gerard whom Mrs. Birchler remembers from the pm session. According to her brother, Alicia had started a degree program in rehab but is currently working with computers.
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Congratulations to Kristen Kuehne Zaragoza (am session), proud mother with her husband Carlos.
"Sofía Josephine Zaragoza was born on April 18, 2021 at 1:52 am. She weighed 4 lbs 14 oz and was 16 in.
She was born at 32 weeks and 6 days (~7 weeks early). She was born healthy....just needing a NICU stay due to her size and feeding."
"Sofía Josephine Zaragoza was born on April 18, 2021 at 1:52 am. She weighed 4 lbs 14 oz and was 16 in.
She was born at 32 weeks and 6 days (~7 weeks early). She was born healthy....just needing a NICU stay due to her size and feeding."
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2019 Holiday Greetings from Kryss (Kristen Kuehne - am session) and Carlos Zaragoza.
Mrs. Birchler crossed paths with Charity Smith (pm session) at the Essexville Krogers on October 3, 2019. Charity is still her exuberant self. She said she continues to keep music in her life and would like to move to California.
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Kristen "Kryss" Kuehne (am session) married Carlos Zaragozas on September 14, 2019 in South Lyon, Michigan.
Email update from Kristen Kuehne (am session) received April 16, 2019:
"In January I was able to be a part of a medical mission trip to China! It was the experience of a life time as I not only got to spend time working with children with special needs there, but also got to provide their therapists with knowledge they have never been exposed to. Occupational, physical, and speech therapy there are much more loosely labeled as we are here. Schooling for each consists of two years (focused on special education) and a total of three weeks of "specialty" training for the specific therapy area (whether it be PT, OT, or Speech).
It was nice for our medical team to leave these therapists with lasting information for them to utilize for years to come with the patients and their families. We were also able to provide a rough draft of evaluation forms that we are still formulating and will continue to follow with the two clinics we worked with. My plan now is to get together with an orthotist to provide much needed AFOs and SMOs to individuals there. ...needless to say, China has my heart! I will plan to visit in the next 5 years again and pray I get to follow up with the two clinics I had gone to. ( and that was my first plane ride ever....13 hours! ) "
Photos below from the Great Wall - Kristen in the center of the left photo and on the far left in the photo on right.
"In January I was able to be a part of a medical mission trip to China! It was the experience of a life time as I not only got to spend time working with children with special needs there, but also got to provide their therapists with knowledge they have never been exposed to. Occupational, physical, and speech therapy there are much more loosely labeled as we are here. Schooling for each consists of two years (focused on special education) and a total of three weeks of "specialty" training for the specific therapy area (whether it be PT, OT, or Speech).
It was nice for our medical team to leave these therapists with lasting information for them to utilize for years to come with the patients and their families. We were also able to provide a rough draft of evaluation forms that we are still formulating and will continue to follow with the two clinics we worked with. My plan now is to get together with an orthotist to provide much needed AFOs and SMOs to individuals there. ...needless to say, China has my heart! I will plan to visit in the next 5 years again and pray I get to follow up with the two clinics I had gone to. ( and that was my first plane ride ever....13 hours! ) "
Photos below from the Great Wall - Kristen in the center of the left photo and on the far left in the photo on right.
Mrs. Birchler saw Berneda Smith (am session) at the Midland public library on April 9, 2019. Berneda is enjoying being a stay at home mom with her two children - a 2 year old and a 4 year old. (We were both at a very lively pre-school age library program and didn't have a very long opportunity to catch up on details.)
Mrs. Birchler saw Autumn Freed (am session) at the Dow Bay Area Family Y on January 29, 2019. Autumn married Justin Scherzer, another Garber grad, and has a three year old son, Lucas, who was playing basketball at the Y. Autumn lives in Freeland but works for McLaren in the East Med Mall as an operations manager.
Mrs. Birchler is working on a scrapbook of her ten years of teaching. Here is a nice memory of the pm class.
April 26, 2018 photo from Jennifer Pauley Smith (am session)
Courtney Woods (am session) is an AP English teacher in Florida as per her mom who was in the medical library when we visited on February 8, 2018.
Kristen Kuehne (am session) stopped by the classroom in September 2017. Kristen has passed her board exam and begins work at Lutheran hospital in Fort Wayne on the pediatrics floor and the adult neuro unit. She also introduced her boyfriend Carlos.
Kristen Kuehne (am session) was able to attend the Alumni Networking event on May 30, 2017. Kristen expects to move to the Fort Wayne, Indiana area for work after she takes her PT board exam in July.
CONGRATULATIONS to Kristen Kuehne (am session), the first of Mrs. Birchler's students to graduate with a DPT from CMU on May 5, 2017! Kristen will take her board exam in July. See photos below (far right is her research poster presentation).
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Kristen Kuehne (am session) was a judge for the Sports Medicine event at HOSA regional conference on January 5, 2017 at SVSU. Kristen said it was nice to be on the judging side of the clipboard, rather than as a competitor. Kristen is one semester away from her DPT degree. She is studying to take her licensure exam in Julhy 2017.
Kristen Kuehne (am session) visited the classroom on 12/16/16. Kristin just finished her first clinical internship at St. Mary's Hospital in Saginaw. Her second internship will be at a pediatric facility in Dearborn and then she will graduate with her DPT!
Kristen will be judging a Sports Med skill - assessing ankle ROM and strength - at HOSA regional competition in January 2017 at SVSU.
Kristen will be judging a Sports Med skill - assessing ankle ROM and strength - at HOSA regional competition in January 2017 at SVSU.
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Mrs. Birchler was thrilled to see a student working in the rehab profession. Jasmine Hill Goerner (am session) has been married for two months and has been working for McLaren Center for Rehab as a PTA. Jasmine was treating patients when Mrs. Birchler brought her current students for the annual field trip to CFR on November 16, 2016 for hydrotherapy, OT, Lite Gait and traction, and cardiac rehab.
February 2016 email from Stephanie Ballard (pm session), now Stephanie Lowe: "I run the Life Enrichment Program and the volunteer program at Bay Shores Senior Care and rehab. I am married now to the guy I was actually dating then and we have a son ( Rhylee). We adopted him this past December. We are working toward our second adoption now. If you ever wanted someone to talk to your class, you know I am always more than willing. I can even come and discuss the volunteer opportunities."
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Kristen Kuehne (am session) answered the call for help with the HOSA regional competition at SVSU on January 6, 2016. Kristen was event manager for the Sports Medicine event. Kristen is in the DPT program at CMU and has met Russell Leonard, member of the class of 2009/2010 who was admitted to CMU's DPT program last fall. When she is not in class or studying Kristen is an anatomy tutor for student athletes and also manages to have time to teach Zumba three days a week. (She became a certified Zumba instructor a couple years ago.) In addition, Kristen's DPT research project is a health assessment of exercise and fitness practices for medical students - it sounds really interesting.
December 17, 2015 email from Cassie Schmidt Greshow (pm session): "The day has finally come! I am graduating with my masters in Occupational Therapy tomorrow! It seems like yesterday that my journey in this amazing profession started with sitting in PT/OT/Sports med classroom! I wanted to reach out to thank you for everything you have done for myself and my education! You have impacted my life in such a positive way, not only professionally but personally. It was because of your class that I was able to establish my love for OT. I have bright goals and dreams for the future with my career. I plan to become a professor and it was your teaching that has driven me to this point. Thank you for putting your heart into teaching at the career center because it has touched my life and shown me how strong and independent I am as a student and person. I hope in my future that I will impact the lives of those who look up to me as you have done to me! I owe the ISD career center all my accomplishments in my education and career. Choosing to be apart of the ISD PT/OT/Sports Med was the best decision I have ever made!"
Wow - thanks and congratulations, Cassie!
Wow - thanks and congratulations, Cassie!
November 2015 email updates
Jennifer Pauley (am session): "I live in Westminster which is right outside Denver. I am not a hygienist but I am working in a dental office as a benefits coordinator and I help out in the back assisting when they need me. I'm not much of an outdoors person but the mountains are great to look at!" Jenn also writes that she will be going to Europe in January.
Kristen Kuehne (am session): "School is going well :) it is our neuro semester which is fun and challenging." Kristen is in the DPT program at CMU.
Jennifer Pauley (am session): "I live in Westminster which is right outside Denver. I am not a hygienist but I am working in a dental office as a benefits coordinator and I help out in the back assisting when they need me. I'm not much of an outdoors person but the mountains are great to look at!" Jenn also writes that she will be going to Europe in January.
Kristen Kuehne (am session): "School is going well :) it is our neuro semester which is fun and challenging." Kristen is in the DPT program at CMU.
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David Gomez (pm session) died unexpectedly on August 22, 2015. David was married and had one son. He was a custodian at McLaren Bay Region. Please keep David's family in your thoughts.
Mrs. Birchler met with Jasmine Hill (am session) who was also shopping at JoAnn Fabrics in Essexville on August 3, 2015. Jasmine passed her licensure exam and is waiting to receive her PTA license from the state of Michigan while hunting for a job. Jasmine also introduced her fiance, Adam; they plan to marry in 2016, probably September. (Addendum - November 2015: Jasmine got a job at McLaren Bay Region!)
Kristen Kuehne (am session) visited the classroom on May 14, 2015. She begins a clinical rotation next week at Pinnacle Rehab in West Branch - one of our mentorship sites. Kristin will graduate from the DPT program at CMU in 2017.
John Moeggenberg (am session) stopped by the piano to say hi at the end of church one spring Sunday. John is an elementary school teacher and very happy with his career choice. (Mrs. Birchler had worked with his mom at the Bay County Medical Care Facllity and got to see her too.)
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Jasmine Hill (am session) was one of the presenters when Mrs. Birchler took her morning students to the Delta College PTA program on January 15, 2015. Jasmine begins her final clinical rotation on January 19th and will graduate in May. She will sit for the licensure exam in April or July.
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Cassie Schmidt Greshow (pm) came to the classroom on November 18, 2014. She had an assignment for her MSOT program at SVSU to present a mental health topic to at least three people. With her usual energy and enthusiasm, Cassie decided "more is better" and presented to the current morning students. Her timing was perfect as the students had just completed their OT mentorship, and they were presenting their powerpoints to each other. Cassie had important information to share about the mental health component of OT that few of the students were able to experience.
Cassie married in August 2014 and she reported that Autumn Freed (am) has also recently married. In addition, she reported that Melissa Miller (am) has completed her Clinical II field work, will be taking her praxis and graduating in December from the MSOT program at SVSU. Lots of good news!
Cassie married in August 2014 and she reported that Autumn Freed (am) has also recently married. In addition, she reported that Melissa Miller (am) has completed her Clinical II field work, will be taking her praxis and graduating in December from the MSOT program at SVSU. Lots of good news!
As reported by his cousin Kollin, Class of 2014/2015, Jacob Boileau (am) will graduate in December 2014 with a degree in recreational therapy. Jacob already has a job lined up as soon as he is finished with school.
Kristen Kuehne (am session) attended the 2014 Alumni/Alumnae Networking Event on May 27th. In fact, Kristen has been our most active alumna, attending the Networking Event every year!!! Kristen is in her second year of the DPT program at CMU. She will begin clinicals next summer, followed by another year of classes and then her final two internships.
Mrs. Birchler saw Brittany Peek (pm session) at the Meijer store on Wilder Road on April 7, 2014. Brittany is married and has a three year old son, Caden, who was soundly sleeping while his mom shopped. Brittany is living in Au Gres and plans to take an online accounting class.
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Melissa Miller (am session) was one of the presenters when the class went to visit the OT program at SVSU on February 19, 2014. It's very exciting for Mrs. Birchler to see her former students in their college programs for a career in rehab! Melissa is almost finished with classroom work and getting ready for her clinicals.
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Mrs. Birchler was thrilled to reconnect with Jasmine Hill (am session) in October 2013. Jasmine is in her first year of the Delta College PTA program, having waited only one year on the validation list. Jasmine (in the green Delta t-shirt) spoke to current students of the PT, OT & Sports Medicine program. Later, we watched Jasmine demonstrate ultrasound as she practiced on a classmate.
Mrs. Birchler just completed an electronic letter of reference for Taylor Moreau (am) as she applies to DPT programs. The first letter was for Taylor's classmate, Kristin, who has begun her DPT studies at CMU.
Gini Fisher (am) is in the U.S. Navy and just finished basic training according to her aunt and Career Center specialist, Ms. Kloha. Gini will be stationed in San Diego until the building of her assigned ship is completed.
May 29, 2013 e-mail from Berneda Smith (am): I validate for clinicals at the end of this year. I'm currently working on getting my PTA hours completed so I can validate for my PTA clinicals. Due to some health issues my schooling hasn't gone how I'd like it but, I'm getting there. Thanks to my health I've been able to experience how advanced American medicine truly is. I couldn't be more thankful!! I'm still working as a CNA. And I love every minute of it.
May 2013 Networking picnic update: Kristen Kuehne (am) has begun the DPT program at CMU and says it is hard work!
Lisa Szafranski (am) was at the Bay Commitment Scholarship awards for her little sister on May 21, 2013. Lisa is on track for entering the MSOT program at SVSU.
April 2013 update from Kristin Kuehne (AM): I am actually graduating May 4, 2013 from CMU with a major in Health Fitness and Rehabilitation and a minor in Psychology. I will be starting CMU's DPT program this summer :) and will graduate in 2016!
Taylor Moreau (AM session) e-mailed in April 2013. Taylor is finishing up her PT volunteer hours in preparation for applying to a DPT program. First choice is UM-Flint (where she currently goes to school) and second choice is CMU.
Kristen Kuehne (AM session) visited during her March 2013 spring break. She has been accepted into the DPT program at CMU and will begin in May 2013.
Kristen Kuehne (AM session) visited during her March 2013 spring break. She has been accepted into the DPT program at CMU and will begin in May 2013.
Melissa Miller (AM) is half way through her first semester of the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at SVSU. She also writes that she loves the web site :-)
As of Fall 2012, Melissa writes that the MSOT program is very intense, and she starts her Level 1 fieldwork next semester. She is willing to correspond with anyone from the Career Center who wants first-hand information about the OT program at SVSU.
As of Fall 2012, Melissa writes that the MSOT program is very intense, and she starts her Level 1 fieldwork next semester. She is willing to correspond with anyone from the Career Center who wants first-hand information about the OT program at SVSU.
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Sarah Walter (PM) made it into the Bay City Times. Congratulations, Sarah!
Kristen Kuehne (AM) received an Associate's degree from Delta College and is currently at Central Michigan University. She will be applying to CMU's DPT program in July. She met Mrs. Birchler's current class at their CMU tour on May 16, 2012 and offered some suggestions for navigating college and information about her health fitness major.
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Autumn Freed and Jenn Pauley (am session) visited the classroom on 5/9/12. Autumn is in the Nursing program at Davenport and Jenn is finishing up Dental Assisting at Delta.
Berneda Smith (AM) is a member of the PTA Class of 2013 at Delta College. She plans to go to SVSU after she completes her Associate's degree in order to earn her MSOT.
AM SESSION
Front row: Jennifer, Melissa, Laura, Lexy, Jessica
2nd row: Courtney, Berneda, Brittney
3rd row: Janel, Autumn, Caitlyn, Austin
4th row: Taylor, Brittany
5th row: Kristen, Erin, Jacob
Back row: John, Gini, Lisa
Missing: Jasmine
Front row: Jennifer, Melissa, Laura, Lexy, Jessica
2nd row: Courtney, Berneda, Brittney
3rd row: Janel, Autumn, Caitlyn, Austin
4th row: Taylor, Brittany
5th row: Kristen, Erin, Jacob
Back row: John, Gini, Lisa
Missing: Jasmine
PM SESSION
Front row: Charity, Anna, Carissa, Stephanie
2nd row: David, Alicia, Kara, Eric
3rd row: Victoria, Cassie, Brittany, Emily
Back row: Raeanna, Carissa, Natashua, Sarah, Kathy
Front row: Charity, Anna, Carissa, Stephanie
2nd row: David, Alicia, Kara, Eric
3rd row: Victoria, Cassie, Brittany, Emily
Back row: Raeanna, Carissa, Natashua, Sarah, Kathy