34 Thursday, August 15, 2024 BATTLE CREEK SHOPPER NEWS http://www.thebattlecreekshopper.com
HARER CREEK
Continued from Page 33
reach out and offer their condolences
and everything,” she said. “It was
good for my soul, I guess. But he
called and said, ‘Hey, I’m going
to be home for Christmas. Would
you like to do lunch?’ And so I was
more than happy to do it. And then I
started realizing, like, I know, Kevin,
really, on a student basis, not as like
an adult and I kept thinking, ‘what
are we going to talk about for two
hours?’”
That’s when Howard decided to
spring his idea about the scholarship
in her name.
“He gave me a letter and said, ‘I
have something for you,’ and it was
about the scholarship and I was like,
‘they don’t really do this until pass
away, Kevin, what do you know
that I don’t?’” she said. “And he just
really expressed his feelings. We
ave a lot of mutual respect for one
another. The timing was impeccable
and it felt genuinely thoughtfelt and
coming from his heart and I guess
why I appreciate it so much. I was
not surprised that that’s what he’s
like but I was definitely surprised to
have the scholarship.”I’M
SHOPPING
LOCAL
Three words that will tell
your community merchant that
you appreciate them.INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY.WE ARE:- A Watch dog
- A source of entertainment
- A record keeper
- A champion of local businesses
- A supporter of nonprofits and charities
COMMUNITY
NEWSPAPERS
MATTERDanielle Otis, PA-C, has joined
Bronson Oncology & Hematology
Specialists as the newest provider
to diagnose and treat patients at
Bronson Cancer Center, according to
a press release from Bronson Battle
Creek.
As a physician assistant, she is part
of a multidisciplinary cancer care
team that includes oncologists, radi-
ologists, surgeons, nurse navigators
and other specialists, said spokesper-
son Marcie McCann.
Otis has a special interest in can-
cers that affect women, including
cervical, uterine, ovarian and breast
cancers, especially after her own
experience being diagnosed with
endometriosis.
“I remember ... my oncologist took
the time to listen to what I had to say
and I felt like I was being heard,”
she said. “I want to get to know my
Danielle Otis, PA-C, is the newest
physician assistant at the Bronson
Cancer Center in Battle Creek. She
is pictured with her mom, Donna
Shouldice, who also works at the
Bronson Cancer Center as an on-call
radiation oncology nurse.Physician assistant joins Bronson Cancer Center in B.C.
patients on the same level and take
the time to connect with them and
their families, listen to their concerns,
answer their questions and make sure
they understand what is happening
with their care.”
Otis has been a physician assistant
in the Bronson Healthcare system for
eight years, and before joining the
Bronson Cancer Center, she worked
at the Bronson Neuroscience Center
in Kalamazoo and in the Bronson
Battle Creek Emergency Department.
Otis chose to transfer to Bronson
Oncology & Hematology Specialists
because of her connection to the
cancer program and to follow in her
mother’s footsteps.
Donna Shouldice, Danielle’s mom,
was a nurse for 40 years before semi-
retiring in 2023 from Bronson Battle
Creek’s radiation oncology depart-
ment.Otis largely credits her success to
her mom, who has always supported
her choice to work in health care.
Otis was born and raised in Battle
Creek and calls southwest Michigan
her forever home.
She received her Master of Science
in Physician Assistant Studies from
Wayne State University in Detroit.
While in school, she chose an elec-
tive in radiation oncology and studied
under Dr. Randy Mudge, radiation
oncologist and physician-in-chief for
Bronson’s system cancer program.
She now sees patients, along with
Mudge, at the Bronson Cancer
Center, 300 North Ave. in Battle
Creek.
To schedule an appointment, people
may call (269) 245-8660.
To view her profile, they can visit
bronsonhealth.com/doctors/danielle-
otis.The scholarship is held at the Battle
Creek Community Foundation as
part of the Harper Creek Educational
Foundation which explains that the
scholarship was created in honor of
Waltman’s distinguished career at
Harper Creek Community Schools.
On the BCCF website, that photo
from Mackinaw Island appears.
“She has made a tremendous
impact on his life,” reads the descrip-tion, “as he has done for countless
other students in our community.
Mrs. Waltman’s class helped inspire
Kevin’s career in social impact.”
The scholarship, it goes on, is
designed to recognize and support a
Harper Creek student who embodies
Waltman’s dedication to education
and her commitment to making a
positive impact in one’s community.The Government Finance
Officers Association has awarded
the City of Battle Creek the
Certificate of Achievement for
excellence in financial reporting
for fiscal year 2023.
The GFOA established the
Certificate of Achievement for
Excellence in Financial Reporting
Program to encourage state and
local governments to go beyond
the minimum requirements of
accounting principles and prepareB.C. recognized for financial
reporting excellence
comprehensive financial reports
that enable city governments like
Battle Creek to better assess their
financial health and make edu-
cated decisions, said city spokes-
person Breanne Humphreys.
The certificate is the highest
form of recognition in govern-
mental accounting and financial
reporting.
The City of Battle Creek has
received this designation for 25
years.