By Seeing a cell phone tumble into the La Fortuna Waterfall at the start of a study abroad trip in Costa Rica would likely upset most text-happy students.
But Kelsyn Lohr, an incurable optimist, always looks on the bright side. As she watched her space gray iPhone 14 disappear into the foam below, she figured she’d be able to appreciate all the new sights and sounds – and enjoy the small things a ping might have interrupted.
“Losing my phone halfway through a 14-day trip turned out to be one of the best experiences of my life,” said Lohr. “Without my phone, I got to just sit there and take everything in while not worrying at all about what was going on outside of where I was. I got to navigate a whole new country without any access to the internet, learning to appreciate the smaller things in life. I felt free.”
Lohr, a senior biology major with minors in chemistry and psychology, grew up in Shelby, Montana. With dreams of preparing for med school, while enjoying a smaller community, she found Carroll.
“Being at Carroll has prepared me to be successful in med school while also being successful in my personal life,” said Lohr. “Carroll has helped me form relationships and make new friends I will have for the rest of my life.”
Julian Nolan, a psychology professor who organized her trip to Costa Rica, is a mentor and an admirer of Lohr. He was thankful to have her can-do spirit with them on the adventure.
“I often hear Kelsyn laughing, and not in a bad way,” says Nolan. “Everywhere Kelsyn goes, she has this exuberant personality – learning while not taking things too seriously. People can learn while also having fun when they’re with Kelsyn.”
Kelsyn’s passion for medicine began in high school where she shadowed people who worked in healthcare. She knew that being a doctor would be a perfect fit, allowing her to care for people.
Beginning her first year, Kelsyn and her friends attended the spring club fair and decided to check out the Special Olympics club. She immediately fell in love and has been a part of the club ever since.
“It was the best thing to be a part of,” said Lohr. “Everyone was so happy all the time and no matter what was going on in your own life it was time that you just got me to be surrounded by happiness and joy with people who have an optimistic outlook on life. It was never a negative place to be.”
Kelsyn works as a scribe at St. Peters Hospital. With this job, she has learned how to balance her studying, her job and her social life, a lesson she will carry through life.
She loves her job at St. Pete’s, which she hoped would reassure her that she chose the right career path, and that’s exactly what it did. She learned to form strong relationships with mentors who helped show her what it means to be a good physician and person.
Lohr hopes to eventually work with an underserved community as an emergency department physician for a few years out of state before returning home to Montana to continue the same line of work. She hopes that she can find happiness serving her community and fulfillment in each day.
“A lot of sad things happen at the hospital, but whenever something happy or exciting happens, it makes up for all the bad,” said Lohr.
Brandon Sheafor, a biology professor from Helena, has taught Kelsyn since she first came to Carroll. He has watched her grow and develop both as a student and as an individual. Sheafor says that Kelsyn is one of those students who demonstrates exceptional engagement in the classroom. She is willing to invest time and effort while remaining flexible.
“Kelsyn is a leader. She sets examples in the classroom,” says Sheafor. “She takes her classes seriously, she is respectful to teachers and classmates, and she gets her work done. She’s serious but she also brings fun and levity. You’re never bored around Kelsyn.”
Kelsyn’s best friend, Kiki Bourekis, a senior biology major from Spokane, Washington, says that Kelsyn is a kind, hardworking, and inspiring individual who cares for every person she meets.
Bourekis says that Kelsyn has helped her learn to go easier on herself, to gain confidence, and to do the things that truly make her happy, pleasing no one but herself.
“Kelsyn is radiant,” said Bourekis. “Everywhere she goes she’s a bright light that makes everyone around her happy.”
As Kelsyn’s time at Carroll comes to an end, she intends to apply to medical school. During her upcoming gap year, she envisions exploring new destinations, gaining more professional experiences, and cherishing moments with family and friends before embarking on more academic goals.
As she prepares to say goodbye to friends and professors, she has valuable advice for the next generation of students beginning their journeys.
“Never compare your journey to somebody else’s,” said Lohr. “The fear that you’re not going to be successful will only get in your way. We all have our paths. Try to remain as positive as possible.
“Don’t surround yourself with people who don’t fill your cup. Make the most out of everything.”
