Western graduate helps in Haiti

2011 Presidential Scholar Analiesse Isherwood was recently profiled in her hometown paper, the Columbia Basin Herald in Moses Lake, about her volunteer work in medical clinics in Haiti.

Isherwood, a Behavioral Neurosciences major, first traveled to Haiti in December 2009.  "Less than two weeks after she returned home, in January of 2010, Haiti was struck by a devastating earthquake. People she had helped, and people she had worked with, were killed," wrote reporter Steven Wyble.

Since the quake, Isherwood has returned to Haiti three times to assist with disaster relief. She has also talked with several middle-school classrooms in Moses Lake, inspiring the youngsters to collect toys, gifts and medical supplies for Isherwood to take with her to Haiti.

"I went to Haiti with all my supplies and every day I was there I was in e-mail contact with (the students), answering questions, telling them what I was seeing," Isherwood told the Columbia Basin Herald. "When I came back I was able to show them pictures of where all their gifts had gone and tell them very relevant stories of the impact they were able to be a part of."

Isherwood recently returned to Haiti with more gifts from the students -- a gift that could change the lives of six young women who have never been to school. Read the story to learn more.

Isherwood, who was one of three student speakers for spring Commencement, is heading to University of Washington School of Medicine this fall, and hopes to become a doctor for under-served populations.