Elisabeth Brontë Jenkins

Brontë Jenkins graduated in June 2020 from Dartmouth College, from which she received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology and Jewish Studies. Believing creative thinking and interdisciplinary collaboration are key elements in problem solving, she chose to pursue dual majors that afforded instruction in both the sciences and humanities. As part of her Jewish Studies major, Brontë completed an Honors Thesis for which she received the Gary Plotnick Class of 1962 Memorial Prize in Jewish Studies. This scholarly research project analyzed how Orthodox Judaism has discussed and defined the role of women in Personal Law and Communal Ritual through the lens of Tradition: A Journal of Orthodox Jewish Thought.

Beyond her academic preparation, Brontë worked as a neuroscience research lab technician in Dr. Alan Green’s Lab at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center (DHMC) studying the correlation between excessive substance use and brain development in adolescents. Additionally, she sought out a number of medically related volunteer and instructional opportunities, one of which provided exposure to medical consulting. Through interning with Qure Healthcare, a company which measures clinical practice using patient simulations to increase quality of care while reducing costs for its life science clients, she reviewed medical publications and learned the importance of balancing a result driven approach to problem solving while still valuing the individual. Furthermore, Brontë volunteered at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC) in San Francisco, CA in the Food and Nutrition Department where she directly assisted patients possessing specialized dietary needs, as well as interned in the Departments of Anesthesiology and Surgical Services, accompanying anesthesiologists, surgeons, neurologists, pediatricians, orthopedists, and sports medicine physicians in the operating room. While at Dartmouth, Brontë observed a surgical oncologist in the Operating Room and Surgical Oncology Pre / Post-Op Clinic at DHMC.

To gain a better understanding of chronic illness’ in children, Brontë volunteered full-time for three months in Cape Town, South Africa at Nazareth House, where she provided specialized, palliative, and end of life care to children with terminal illnesses and severe developmental and physical disabilities (i.e. Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Gross Developmental Delay, etc.). The children were placed at the facility by court order due to neglect, abuse (physical, emotional, mental), and/or their family’s inability to afford or properly administer care. Through this experience, she further strengthened her interpersonal skills and ability to adapt to unfamiliar circumstances, served as part of a highly diverse care team, learned the importance of compassionate patient care, acquired experience around maintaining strict confidentiality regarding patient medical records and sensitive information, and gained many of the skills necessary to successfully work independently, multitask, prioritize, and positively contribute to an interdisciplinary team.

Due to Brontë’s strong belief in and support of women’s involvement in the scientific fields, she also served as an upper-class peer mentor for first-year female students interested in pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) studies, through the Women in Science Project (WISP) at Dartmouth College. Through her mentorship, Brontë honed her ability to guide others and articulate advice in a constructive manner. Brontë’s previous employment also includes serving in the Department of Student Accessibility Services at Dartmouth College and working as a camp counselor for young children. An avid skier, Brontë possesses PSIA Level I certification and PSIA Children’s Specialist certification for ski instructing and taught beginner lessons at the Dartmouth Skiway in Lyme, New Hampshire.