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WHERE ARE THEY NOW
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: KASEY LIERZ, M.D., ’15
Goal Setting Comes Naturally to Doctor and Former Soccer Standout
F
or Kasey Lierz, M.D., ’15, choosing the right college meant finding the best place to pursue two dreams — preparing for medical school and playing soccer. She now says selecting Rockhurst University was one of her best decisions. Being part of Rockhurst’s medical scholars program paved the way for Lierz’ entrance into the Saint Louis University School of Medicine, which was perfect for someone who always knew she wanted to be a doctor. Lierz says she shadowed a family friend in high school who was an anesthesiologist in the Kansas City area and became hooked. Through that experience, she got to see heart surgery, nerve blocks and epidurals being placed. Following medical school, Lierz did a surgical intern year at Duke Medical Center in North Carolina and she’s now a chief resident about to start her final year in an anesthesia residency at Saint Louis University Hospital.
“I think studying science at a Jesuit university allows you to be more mindful about the information you’re learning and how it applies to people,” Lierz said. “Instead of just learning pathways and disorders, it was beneficial to think about the whole person and how the disease affects them and their families every day.” Lierz counts the support from her parents and from women’s soccer head coach Greg Herdlick as top reasons for her successful academic and soccer careers at Rockhurst University. In addition, she said being a college athlete forced her to have time management skills and to prioritize what’s important, whether it be school, soccer or being there for a friend. Right now, Lierz is focused on finishing her residency and planning an October wedding with her fiancé, Brendan. Next up will be a fellowship in pediatric anesthesia and the completion of her formal training in 2024.
It’s no coincidence that Lierz selected two Jesuit universities for her pathway to medicine.
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HIRE A HAWK
SPRING 2022
rockhurst.edu/hireahawk Looking for the perfect addition to your team? Contact Rockhurst University’s Career Services to connect with RU alumni and students looking to start their careers and secure internships.
