Driven by Compassion: Reyna Chrum's Journey in Healthcare
Reyna Chrum, a senior at Fort Zumwalt South High School, is thriving in her apprenticeship as a Health Support Specialist at Barathaven Memory Care in O'Fallon, MO. At just 17, Reyna is still exploring her career options, but one thing is clear: her future lies in healthcare, and she’s even considering continuing her work at Barathaven after graduation.
What drives Reyna most is the personal connections she makes with her patients during her 25-hour workweek. Her responsibilities include assisting with feeding, guiding residents through daily activities, and supporting the nursing and care staff. When Reyna talks about her patients, her passion shines through. "They love it when they see me coming into work, and that makes my job so easy," she shares, describing how their joy motivates her to show up and give her all every day.
Reyna balances her role at Barathaven with her schoolwork, managing both with remarkable ease. She’s opted for a lighter academic load in her senior year to allow for more work hours and some extra free time. While she admits she was initially unsure of what her duties would entail—concerned they might be "messy"—she quickly found her rhythm. Now, she confidently encourages anyone interested in healthcare to consider a similar role. Reyna’s next goal is to advance to the position of Medication Aide once she turns 18, further deepening her involvement in patient care.
Her teachers speak highly of her dedication and perseverance. "Reyna is an exceptionally driven student," one teacher remarked. "She is polite, kind, and remains focused, even when her peers may not be. Despite facing some challenges in math, Reyna has worked hard to overcome those difficulties and now has a deep understanding of new and complex skills. She is relentless in her pursuit of learning."
As the apprenticeship coordinator, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing Reyna's kindness and respect for those around her. There’s no doubt in my mind that she will excel in whatever path she chooses. Fort Zumwalt’s healthcare apprenticeship program is both challenging and rewarding, and it takes a special person to work with elderly or memory care patients—Reyna is a perfect fit.
Currently, Fort Zumwalt has five students, including Reyna, participating in the Health Support Specialist apprenticeship. These experiences offer students like her a significant advantage as they pursue their dream careers in healthcare. Reyna’s journey is just beginning, but with her compassion, work ethic, and desire to grow, her future in healthcare looks bright.