As a child, Heidi Belgum traveled the world with her family, enjoyed the outdoors and was taught the value of life-long learning. Her father, who tragically died after saving Heidi from drowning in 1999, was a 4th grade teacher who continues to inspire students even today. Doug Belgum instilled in his daughter a desire to help people.

     Belgum says that her father is part of the reason she decided to study medicine. Today, two years into her pre-med education at Concordia College, the alma matter of her father and mother, Belgum is crossing borders and uncovering the skills she will need as a doctor.

     In May of 2007 Belgum traveled to Cameroon, a former French colony, with a group of Concordia French students. She had already been to France and had always wanted to go to Africa, so it seemed like the perfect opportunity.

     "We almost died only twice" she said jokingly. But she and the other students made it home safely after a near run-in with bandits left their bus in a river and exposure to 130 degree heat forced them to drink the only fresh water available, that reserved for refilling an overheated radiator. This adventurous trip to a continent racked with need only cemented Belgum's desire to practice medicine and help people.

     Belgum sees a great opportunity to use her years of French study and passion to help people in the former French colonies across the Caribbean and Africa. She hopes to one day be a part of Doctor’s Without Borders, helping those in need of medical care throughout the globe. Following her father’s example of helping others, she sees her studies affecting others in a positive way.

     “I want to make a difference in the lives of people and patients, here and in Africa. To make a better community that cares about health and the people in it.”

     Though being a licensed doctor is many years away, Belgum is involved in a number of activities that offer a vision of her future career. Recently she became a certified Emergency Medical Technician. When she turns twenty-one she will apply to be part of the Moorhead Ambulance Service. She volunteers at the Fargo Hospital and works at a nursing home. All while pursuing two bachelor’s degrees in biology and French.

     Belgum has done more than just search for medical experience, she has done some digging in other fields as well. For a month during the summer of 2007 she was in Montana and Wyoming digging for dinosaurs. As a member of the Honors Biology program Belgum was required to enroll in a research project. Though digging for dinosaurs might not seem like a worthy task for a future doctor, Belgum said it was a great way to study anatomy while collecting bones of dinosaurs dating back 70 million years.

     After a week of preliminary work, her group of six students and professor, Dr. Ron Nellermoe embarked on a three-week camping trip. Hiking through the Hell Creek Formation in Montana, the students were able to find dinosaur remains quite easily. So easily that fragments of bone became unimportant to them and only full skulls, tarsals, metatarsals and other complete bones were worth their time. After recovering the remains of Triceratops in Montana, the group traveled through three different sites in Wyoming to uncover allosauruses and aptosauruses.

     Belgum said her time on the dig was the “most fun I’ve ever had, being paid to walk around outside and look for dinosaurs. I would have done it for free—I would have paid for this experience.”

     She enjoyed the company of her fellow students and the great conversations they shared under the stars. She smiles when she says “Science people are pretty amazing."

     These science people have a lot of fun ahead of them, according to Belgum. “Unlike other professions, science is hands-on and the opportunities are endless. Science people can do anything.”

     Belgum is ready to accept any experience that offers itself to her. She is not willing to be held by any borders. Inspired by her father, professors, and fellow students she hopes to positively affect the global community. With health issues in Africa growing in importance, Belgum’s approach to a community aware of its people, patients and health will surely have its impact.