Flathead grad holds onto dream of becoming doctor

Editor’s note: The Daily Inter Lake is following up with six young adults who were profiled as high school seniors in a series recognizing noteworthy graduates from the Class of 2016 that highlighted students who turned challenges into personal triumphs.

Chloe Marum, 19, learned independence at an early age to support herself as she took on a rigorous path in her education.

The Flathead High School graduate challenged herself both in her personal and school life to graduate with an International Baccalaureate diploma — wanting to distinguish herself as she pursues a college degree in medicine and get a head start.

By high school graduation, she had earned 36 college credits and stepped right into high-level courses at Montana State University where she is majoring in psychology on a pre-med track.

“Despite some of those challenges I had to go through in high school, I’m in a really, really good place academically — and with whatever life can throw at me,” Marum said.

Some of those challenges she persevered through included making the decision to move from her mother’s house to live with her dad in Kalispell in order to go into the International Baccalaureate program. After the move her home life spiraled downward where economic hardship and substance abuse were present. She got an after-school job to contribute to the household.

By her sophomore year, her job was critical to keep the utilities on. At one point it was not enough. For a couple of months there wasn’t electricity or hot water, according to Marum. She kept the dismal details to herself and did what she could to keep the household together, wanting to complete her schooling at Flathead.

It was after she witnessed domestic violence that she moved out. Her mother was ready to make the long drive that night to pick her up. Marum ultimately chose to move in with relatives determined to accomplish what she had set her mind on. After finishing her sophomore year she moved again to her grandfather’s.

Through it all, she held onto the dream of becoming a pediatric surgeon. Marum was inspired to go into medicine at a young age because of her mother.

“It’s something that’s always been very interesting to me. My mom is a radiology technician,” she said, and talked about tagging along with her mother at the hospital watching her and her colleagues work. “The bones and joints that made up her world were always so fascinating to me.”

Today, she is looking toward specializing as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon — focusing on the bones and joints of children and teens.

The oldest of five siblings, attending Montana State University has brought her closer to her family.

“Now I go home every weekend or every other weekend,” Marum said. “It’s awesome to be home and have a closer support system. I also have a lot of friends who go to MSU that were fellow IB students.”

Majoring in psychology as an undergrad, Marum said will help her develop more skills in being a well-rounded doctor.

“A lot of what being a good doctor is, is bedside manner. If you really understand a patient, their fears, and communicate efficiently you put their mind at ease,” she said. “I find I’m vulnerable when I go to a doctor I want to feel safe and comfortable and that they really are understanding from where I’m coming from. I want the same feeling for my patients.”

Reporter Hilary Matheson may be reached at 758-4431 or hmatheson@dailyinterlake.com.