Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
RACHEL SIEBENMORGEN SCRANTON
Rachel Siebenmorgen has worked with baby turkeys. In a few years, she wants to labor at delivering babies.
Siebenmorgen, who will major in biology at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, plans to attend medical school and eventually become an obstetrician/ gynecologist.
Last summer, Siebenmorgen went through a two-week Medical Applications of Science for Health (M*A*S*H) program at Mercy Hospital in Fort Smith. One of her rotations involved the neonatal field.
“I wanted to see a live birth, but during my time that I was supposed to be there no one came in,” Siebenmorgen said. “You can’t control that. But I asked the [program] leader if I could stay after hours and hope someone would come in.”
Six hours later, the wait was worth it. Siebenmorgen not only got the
opportunity to witness a natural birth but a cesarean section as well.
Siebenmorgen was the Lady Rockets’ point guard and earned all-state honors. She patrolled center field for the softball team and she ran both cross country and track and field. The only school sport she did not participate in was golf.
Siebenmorgen’s father works for Butterball, and she has farm experience with turkeys.
“Working with turkeys is gross, but it can be awesome,” Siebenmorgen said. “When turkeys are hatchlings, they’re cute, but all of a sudden they’re 12-pounders and they’re not so cute anymore.”