Jennifer Chronister graduated from Gillespie High School in 2008, earning a $500 W.E. Schmidt Family Foundation Scholarship from The Partnership for Educational Excellence.
Jennifer attended Blackburn College in Carlinville from 2008 through 2012, attaining a Bachelor of Science in biology with a minor in chemistry. She then attended Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis where she earned a Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2015.
She keeps her skills honed with continuing education courses, recently completing courses focused on treating people with lymphedema.
Jennifer currently works as a physical therapist at SSM Health and Physical Therapy in Edwardsville, Illinois. There she “performs evaluation and treatment of patients of all ages in an outpatient orthopedic setting,” she says. “I also specialize in the treatment of lymphedema and vestibular conditions.” Her work involves maintaining working and professional relationships with referring physicians.
In her free time, Jennifer enjoys watching movies and “cuddling with my puppy. We also enjoy spending time with family and friends whenever we can,” she says. She also completed her first half marathon in February. And she is engaged to be married in September 2018.
Reflecting on the importance of her post-secondary education, Jennifer says: “I would not have the opportunities presented to me today without higher education: not only in academics, but in exposure to diversity. Growing up in a small town was a great experience, but it was not until college that I was truly exposed to people of different backgrounds. Because of my experiences, I now have friends throughout the U.S.”
As to the role which her Partnership scholarship played, she says that it “relieved me of some of the cost of attending college. Any bit of assistance can go a long way in helping someone achieve educational goals. I am so glad to see how The Partnership is able to continue assisting young adults attain higher education.”
Jennifer is the daughter of Brenda Lowe of Gillespie and James Chronister of Henderson.