
2025 Rockswold Health Scholars
Front-Mary Kreklow, Joy Meyers, Tashani Williams
Back-Reid Rognerud, Brenna Lindeen, Sarah Oppenheim, Mauricio Dozal
Dr. Gaylan Rockswold ’62 and his wife, Mary Garnaas Rockswold ’63, have established an endowment and created a clinical and research internship program that provides current St. Olaf students an unparalleled hands-on experience at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN. HCMC is known for its dedication to providing care to vulnerable, diverse, and underserved populations regardless of their ability to pay for medical services. According to Dr. Rockswold, “students would be exposed to the concept of healthcare as a service and as a calling to be a ‘healer’.” Students will expand their professional networks and improve their knowledge regarding potential paths within the healthcare field. Learn more about HCMC’s mission here.
A unique aspect of this program includes the opportunity for selected participants to live together in the spirit of support and mutuality. Community living is intended to foster supportive relationships in an environment of reflection and intentionality. Students will work together to make decisions about grocery shopping, meals, upkeep of common areas, and social activities. As part of their commitment to learning from and with each other, participants will be expected to take part in a weekly community meal and community conversation. There is a CLEAR expectation that Health Scholars don’t travel elsewhere for the MAJORITY of the weekends during the internship.
Program Philosophy
The two Health Scholars programs are made possible by the generosity of distinguished alumni. The Rockswold Health Scholars program and the Health Scholars at the Mayo Clinic program are designed to support students in their vocational discernment within healthcare, provide an intensive internship opportunity to enhance their academic profile, and expand their professional network. As a cohort internship program, students will be selected on their ability to contribute positively to the community. Competitive students have demonstrated their commitment to serving others, strong communication and teamwork skills, and the ability to take initiative. Additionally, students will be assessed on their fit with specific research projects, based on coursework, lab, and other experience. Preference is given to students with an academic profile that does not preclude admission to professional school and students who will be rising seniors.

2025 Program Details
- Dates: Tuesday, May 26 – Friday, July 31, ten weeks of hands-on experience
- Deadline: Friday, Feb. 6, 2026 at 11:59pm
- Stipend: $6,000 paid to each student
- Housing: Augsburg University in the Twin Cities
- Final project (paper, poster, presentation) to be determined by student and HCMC faculty mentor
- How to Apply (see below)
The goal of the program is to provide students with hands-on experience with research and healthcare in a variety of settings. Some placements may require students to have completed specific coursework and/or laboratory experience. These placements will allow students to be exposed to biomedical and other research directly pertinent to patient care. The students may develop research techniques, be involved in manuscript preparation, and have a general exposure to a research or healthcare unit.
• Read Dr. Rockswold’s original proposal for a clinical and research experience at the Hennepin County Medical Center.
• St. Olaf alumna Allison Christie ’96 describes in a thank-you message how interning with Dr. Rockswold her sophomore year at St. Olaf influenced her future career path.
Pictured at Left: Tashani Williams – 2025 Rockswold Health Scholar

Projects/mentors for summer 2025:
- Hannah Brown, PhD – Cardiac Biomarker Trials Laboratory, Minneapolis Medical Research Foundation
- Samuel Cramer, MD, PhD, David Darrow, MD, MPH, and Dr. Walt Galicich, MD – Traumatic Brain Injury Research
- Charles Lei, MD – Interdisciplinary Simulation & Education Center
- Kentral Galloway – Next Step
- Jon Snyder, PhD – Chronic Disease Research Group
- Min Jeong Graf, MD – Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Pictured at Right: Mauricio Dozal & Reid Rognerud
Descriptions of 2025 Research Projects, written by 2024 Rockswold Scholars
Health Scholars Information for Students Applying in Summer 2025
How to Apply
Video of Health Scholars Information for Students Applying in Summer 2025

Right: 2025 Rockswold Health Scholars
Questions?
Contact Greg Muth (muth@stolaf.edu), Faculty Supervisor and Professor of Chemistry, RNS 376, or Dana Rechtzigel (rechtz1@stolaf.edu), Associate Director, Piper Center, Career Development and Coaching-Pre-Health, TOH 270.
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