Marietta College fosters recent graduate's entrepreneurial spirit

Marietta, OH (03/20/2024) — When critical thinking is woven into every class, it's no surprise that Marietta College students approach problems with innovative solutions.

Just ask Jared Farnsworth '23 (Newport, Ohio), who plans to join Marietta's Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program in June but has also caught the entrepreneurial bug.

"I graduated with a Health Science degree, but Marietta's culture empowered me to step out of my comfort zone," he said. "I had an idea to launch an Appalachian Mobile Health unit, bringing personalized healthcare and health education to those facing barriers to traditional medical services."

Instead of letting his idea gather dust, Farnsworth seized the opportunity to pitch it at the College's PioBiz Competition in November. His third-place finish earned him $170, fueling his determination to take the concept further. Despite graduating in December, Farnsworth remains committed to refining his vision and competing in the Proof-of-Concept phase on Thursday, April 18.

"I have been an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) for five years and an advanced EMT for three years, so I have seen first-hand the need for a mobile health program," Farnsworth said. "I am going to work on refining my concept and work to make this a reality in the future."

Dr. Jacqueline Khorassani, Senior Director for Entrepreneurship and Career Development, is inspired by Farnsworth's story.

"This is exactly why the College started the Entrepreneurship Program and incorporated the PioBiz competition," she said. "It allows students who have these amazing and exciting ideas that can make a real difference in a community, or even the world, to have a platform to share them and get real-time feedback."

Amanda Haney-Cech, Director of the Academic Resource Center, encouraged him to share his ideas and compete in the PioBiz competition sponsored by the Entrepreneurship program.

"After engaging in the process and having a host of meetings with local entrepreneurs who wish to support his idea, he has now developed a business model to provide mobile care to remote areas of rural communities," she said. "This combination of using his skills and knowledge in science, communication, and business is exactly what the liberal arts can do for our students. I cannot wait to watch Jared's success unfold. He is a genuinely remarkable student in his eagerness to learn and his servant leadership. Our campus is better because of him."

Farnsworth is auditing an Advanced Anatomy course to better prepare himself for the challenging PA Program.

"I don't feel a lot of anxiety about it, but I thought I'd be terrified," he said. "I feel like this was what I was made to do, and I am confident about doing the hard work. I'm most excited about the clinical year because that's your time to work with patients and learn from providers. But I'm also looking forward to getting started because I can't wait to learn more."

Haney-Cech met Farnsworth the summer before he arrived on campus and was impressed to learn about his future goals.

"Jared Farnsworth truly embodies what it means to be a Pioneer," Haney-Cech said. "As a transfer student, he came in with solid academic goals that he wished to achieve. His desire to complete his degree with a focus on admission to our Physician Assistant Program drove his success."

Farnsworth said he is leaning toward a career in cardiology but could also be persuaded to do pediatrics. And, of course, he wants to provide a mobile health option.

"As of right now, I want to stay around here. I have a connection to the people around here. It makes it more personal. There is such a great need. I'd hate to take off when I know no one is doing that here," he said. "Marietta has provided me with the resources and the vision to see that it can work."

Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy, founded in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today, Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students. The College offers over 40 majors and is consistently ranked among the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Marietta was selected seventh in the nation according to the Brookings Institution's rankings of colleges by their highest value added, regardless of major.

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