How sociology gave this ASU grad a new perspective on patient care
A single elective changed the course of Brook Schumacher's journey at ASU. Photo courtesy of Brook Schumacher
When Brook Schumacher of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, started at ASU Online, her plan was clear: earn a biology degree and head to dental school. But this changed when a sociology elective unexpectedly became the highlight of her semester.
“I found myself looking forward to that sociology class rather than the science classes I was majoring in,” she says.
What began as a chance to explore something new quickly became a turning point. The class opened her eyes to the powerful ways social systems and individual behavior are interconnected, and she realized the social sciences held real-world applications that could inform her future career in health care.
So, in a bold move, she changed her major to sociology.
“I did some research and realized that I did not need a biology degree to apply to dental school, so I changed my major to something that truly interested me,” she says. “The more involved I became in sociology classes, the more I came to understand that sociology could help me understand how a patient’s background, race, gender and class affect their health beliefs, attitudes and lifestyle.”
Through her studies with the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics, Schumacher began to see how understanding social and cultural factors could improve patient care. For her, being a great dentist meant more than mastering the hard sciences — it required empathy and knowledge of human behavior.
“As a dentist, understanding that the patient I am working with is a person with a context and a history is essential to providing quality care,” she says.
Beyond expanding her perspective on health care, Schumacher’s journey also taught her the importance of balance. Managing school, family and personal passions helped her recognize the value of joy and pursuing topics she cared about. Now, with a sociology degree in hand, she’s excited to apply to dental school, bringing a perspective informed by her experiences in the social sciences.
We caught up with Schumacher to learn more about her journey, her most impactful professor and the advice she’d give to current students.
Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?
Answer: There are often multiple valid viewpoints that go beyond a simple “right” or “wrong” interpretation. I learned empathy for different perspectives others had.
Q: Which professor taught you the most important lesson while at ASU?
A: Dr. Jennifer Harrison. I missed an assignment deadline as my son had a baseball tournament over the weekend and it got behind schedule and we did not get home until after midnight. I emailed her the next morning when I realized that I had missed it and was just honest with her about what happened. She allowed me to turn in the assignment by the end of the day, with full credit, because I was honest with her. She reminded me that there was more to life than school and to make time to be present for my kids.
Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?
A: BALANCE! Do something each day for yourself that brings you joy. It’s easy to get caught up in work, life and school. Don’t forget that you’re human and need joy too.
Q: What was your favorite spot, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?
A: When visiting campus, my favorite spot was the Palm Walk. It reminded me of home but in the middle of the desert. As an online student, my favorite spot for power studying was my local Starbucks and Panera Bread!
Q: If someone gave you $40 million to solve one problem on our planet, what would you tackle?
A: I don’t think $40 million would be enough to solve any one large-scale problem on the planet, I would like to spend it on improving access to clean water and sanitation in developing countries. Lack of clean water and sanitation is a primary cause of preventable diseases, especially vulnerable populations in developing countries.
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