December grad overcomes obstacles to earn dental school admission

KOKOMO, Ind. - As Gracie McClain's parents drove her to an emergency room, she couldn't help but think her lifelong dream of becoming a dentist was gone.

"It was really scary," she said. "I temporarily lost my ability to speak properly. Everything that came out of my mouth was gibberish, and I couldn't see very well. It was a very unusual experience."

McClain, who was 17 at the time, learned within a few days she'd had a stroke. Luckily, it didn't have long-term effects - and did not keep her from working toward her goal.

Nearly five years later, she's graduated from Indiana University Kokomo and has been admitted to the doctor of dental surgery program at The Ohio State University.

"I've wanted to be a dentist my entire life," said McClain, who completed her degree in biological and physical sciences in December. "I was in the orthodontic and dentist offices a lot in elementary school, and I knew I wanted to work in that field. I stuck with it, and it's all coming true."

While the stroke didn't have long-term physical effects, she's noticed a change in her outlook.

"It impacted how I appreciate the experiences I have in my life," the Greentown resident said. "I feel like I appreciate college more than if I had not had the stroke. I took advantage of every opportunity because I realized that almost got taken away from me at such a young age. I didn't want to lose those experiences. I'm trying to involve myself and enjoy every aspect of college, and the rest of my life."

At IU Kokomo she was president of the fitness club, and was selected for the Innovation Symposium, an immersive three-week study abroad program that takes students to England to study global issues, sustainability, and innovation. It combines academic research with site visits and ends with students developing projects to create positive change in local communities.

"It was a really cool experience to be out of the country in that environment, especially with a professor who had been there before," McClain said. "I feel like I learned a lot about myself and grew strong friendships with the people who went on that trip."

Her project proposal came from her personal experience: She proposed creating a stroke support group in Howard County, as well as a fundraising event to help stroke victims pay their medical bills.

She also was selected to represent IU Kokomo at Regionals at the Rotunda, an event that allows IU regional campus students to showcase their research to state lawmakers and officials. She and Haley McDaniel presented Metalworking Fluids Microbiology: A Metagenomic Analysis and Mycobacterial Growth Assessment, which they completed with Christian Chauret, professor of microbiology.

"It was an incredible opportunity and great exposure," she said. "Sometimes I think as science students, we think some of the things we're doing don't have impact. This made me realize everyone impacts each other, and we need all kinds of people to create the best environment and world. It made me feel very proud of the work I've done as a student and boosted my confidence."

It also prepared her for dental school.

"A lot of dental and medical schools require students to do research as part of their education," she said. "The fact you have that experience is something they definitely want to know more about. It's very beneficial to getting into those competitive programs."

She credits Chauret, her research mentor, and Patrick Motl, dean of the School of Sciences and professor of physics, for encouraging her through school.

"Their mentorship not only helped me grow as a student and a person, but what they told me helped me get into dental school, and in the end helped me reach for my dream of becoming a dentist," she said. "Without them, I would not be the person I am today. I'm very thankful I went to IU Kokomo. I was able to focus on my studies and my grades because of the way the campus is structured, and it is helping me proceed with the rest of my life story."

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