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It was the medical care Brittany Kaiser received as a child at St. Louis Children’s Hospital that first ignited her passion for helping children. Kaiser, a senior at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, will graduate at Saturday’s commencement with a bachelor’s in community health education.

With her degree, the Freeburg native plans to focus her life’s work on helping children across the world receive quality medical care.

“I have always loved working with children, and I have a big heart for international missions,” Kaiser said. “My family has hosted children from other countries who have had to have medical treatment in the United States that’s not available in their countries.”

Kaiser credits both life and academic experiences with preparing her for her future as a community health educator. It was the five weeks she spent in Ghana during college that solidified her passion for the profession.

“I worked with children who were being sexually exploited,” explained Kaiser. “It really opened my eyes to see that there’s so much more beyond my front door that I don’t see as a middle class 22-year-old girl. There’s so much more across the world that needs a helping hand.

“Ever since I came back from Ghana, I realized I don’t want to live with blinders on my eyes anymore. I want to be able to see things. I want to be able to change things.”

As she prepares to cross the stage in cap and gown, Kaiser knows the hard work and dedication she has shown throughout her college career will help her change lives.

“SIUE has given me opportunities that I would not have had if I would’ve gone anywhere else,” she said. “Whenever I was up late studying, I just thought about my end goal. Someday I’m going to help people because of what I’ve put in now, and it will all be worthwhile.”

Photo: Brittany Kaiser spent five weeks working with children in Ghana.