Present & Future Providers

Posted by: oharasm / September 10, 2024

September 10, 2024

After graduating from PLU, Melissa Wollan Francis ’02 spent two years in a University of Washington genetics lab before joining the Air Force and attending Yale School of Medicine, where she became a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN).

"I’ve always been drawn towards challenges that allow a greater impact on the world around us. I always wanted to do something that was mission-driven, like research or medicine, where I’d have the opportunity to help people. I joined the military because I wanted to help the greater good."- Melissa Wollan Francis

Wollan Francis spent eight years in the Air Force before moving to Portland, Oregon where she became the medical director of the women’s clinic at Providence St. Vincent Medical Center. In this role she split her time between working with patients and leading a team of 80 health care professionals.

"I make sure that I treat folks with respect, whether they’re a colleague, a nurse, a peer. I think building that kind of foundation as quickly as possible when you’re talking to somebody you don’t know is really important."- Melissa Wollan Francis

Wollan Francis recently reshaped her portfolio, stepping down from her role as medical director. She’s still seeing patients for the majority of her time, but she’s also emerged as a leader in informatics support around the design and utilization of electronic medical records. She’s now traveling across the Providence system to teach doctors and advanced practitioners how to better use electronic records systems. She’s excited about this new focus, but says her favorite — and the most meaningful — part of her job is still working closely with her patients.

"As an OBGYN, I get to be a part of the happiest moments in people’s lives, and sometimes I’m also there for the saddest moments. I feel really privileged that I get to do both with people."- Melissa Wollan Francis

Melissa Wollan Francis ’02 in an exam room.

Vinny D’Onofrio ’24 majored in biology and chemistry at PLU, played at nationals with the men’s soccer team, and prepared for a career as a healthcare provider. Research lab internships at Seattle Children’s Hospital and RAIN Incubator fueled his passion for science and health.

"When I was a kid, I thought my pediatrician was the nicest person in the world and cared so much about me and my health. That is something I want to do — help out and do whatever I can to make sure that people are healthy."- Vinny D’Onofrio '24

Ash Bechtel ’24 loves studying the way humans, the environment and the world intersect and influence each other. That passion for people inspired her to serve as ASPLU president, in addition to a rigorous biology major and minor in gender, sexuality and race studies. Ash recently completed medical interpretation training and plans to apply for medical school while working as a Spanish-language medical interpreter in the months ahead.

"One of my main driving factors in becoming a doctor is to help the Hispanic community and give back."- Ash Bechtel ’24

Pre-Med U

In the last 10 years, approximately 40 PLU graduates have gone on to attend the University of Washington School of Medicine—the top-ranked medical school in the nation for primary care education and family medicine training. In that same decade, around 80 Lutes have attended other medical schools across the country, including Washington State University, Oregon Health & Science University, Northwestern University, Dartmouth College, University of Minnesota, George Washington University, Creighton University, and University of California at San Diego.

Rieke Science Center on PLU's campus

Science renovations will help continue PLU’s health care education excellence

PLU is nearing completion of $11.6 million in science education improvements across the Rieke Science Center and the Nursing Clinical Learning and Simulation Center. These upgrades will strengthen PLU’s health science and nursing programs and help ensure that PLU remains a top producer of health care providers. With just over $2 million left to raise, PLU welcomes gifts of any size.