Student Life: Isabelle Meehan

by Tara Crawford

“My interest in nursing stems from my personal experiences, particularly living with type 1 diabetes for nearly a decade,” says Isabelle Meehan (’23) who graduated with her BSN from the College of Nursing last year and is now in our graduate program in the Master of Science in Nursing – Family Nurse Practitioner track. 

“During my junior year of high school, I was involved in a near-fatal car accident. At the time of the accident, I experienced low blood sugar and received less-than-optimal care, with a nurse nearly administering the wrong type of insulin. I was lucky to have my mom and dad in the room with me most of the time. I want to be an advocate for people who may not have a family member or friend with them in the hospital, especially those with chronic conditions who have just gone through trauma like I did.”

She’s doing her part to help her college peers, too. Meehan founded the College Diabetes Network during her freshman year at Ohio State. “This provided a built-in support system for over 50 type 1 diabetic members, many of whom I’m still friends with today. My involvement with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) [now known as Breakthrough T1D] has been a cornerstone of both my personal and professional life.”  

Meehan, who comes from Cincinnati, has helped raise funds for the JDRF by participating in two 100-mile bike rides: one in La Crosse, Wisconsin, and the other in Grand Rapids, Michigan. These events, known as the JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes, are held in various locations to raise money for type 1 diabetes research. Meehan rode in the La Crosse event in 2020 and the Grand Rapids event in 2023, biking 100 miles at each alongside her father. Together, they raised over $10,000 to advance JDRF’s mission to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

Meehan, who expects to graduate in May, says she really enjoys her work as an intravenous nurse. She also finds her clinical rotation at Mount Carmel Health System rewarding, because in that setting, “I can develop unique relationships with my patients, many of whom have chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, just like me,” she said.

She’s thankful for the scholarship (from the Scholarship Fund for the College of Nursing) that helps her focus her time on her studies, and grateful for the College of Nursing, too. “My experience as a graduate of Ohio State’s BSN program in 2023 confirmed that I had chosen the right place to grow both as a student and as a future healthcare provider,” she says. “The support and encouragement I received here inspired me to continue my education and pursue a career as a family nurse practitioner.” 

Meehan dreams of working at Nationwide Children’s Hospital or Cincinnati Children’s in outpatient endocrinology after she graduates. “I envision creating a supportive environment for children with chronic illnesses, helping them navigate their challenges with empathy and understanding. Every challenge has made me stronger and more compassionate, and I am determined to ensure that my future patients receive the care and understanding they deserve.”

Scholarship giving

You can create a scholarship to honor someone in your family, to express your gratitude to the college or to help a student like Isabelle achieve her nursing dreams.

To learn more, contact:

Courtney Shaul
Executive Director of Development
shaul.8@osu.edu
614-688-1086

Or visit nursing.osu.edu/giving/ways-give.