Andrea Rose Burdette
2023 Sandra Sagear Wall of Courage Honoree
Author: Andrea Rose, The Great Journey. A Kingdom Divided
I nominate Dr. Andrea Rose Burdette to be added to the Sandra Sagear Wall of Courage.
Andrea was born on March 13, 1989 with “Tricuspid Atresia”, a rare heart defect where only 3 chambers are present. When Andrea was a day old, she had a “Blalock-Toussig” shunt performed to create a pathway for blood to go from the arterial circulation to the lungs so she could live and grow enough to have open heart surgery. At the age of two she was ready for her “Modified Fontan” open heart surgery. Andrea’s health has always been guarded. Fortunately, what she lacks in health she makes up for with an abundance of perseverance, tenacity, creativity, kindness, and compassion. She has always had to overcome obstacles of frequent illness, hospital visits and constant medical procedures.
In middle school Andrea’s passion for helping others flourished. She would always want to cheer people up. An example of this was making valentine cards for all the residents at the Villa Marie Senior Citizen’s Home. Andrea received the “Principal’s Award” at the end of her 8th grade school year. This was only given to one student for their contributions and accomplishments made to West Middle School. She also received President’s Award of Academic Excellence. She received a proclamation from the Plymouth Township for being a contributing member of the Plymouth Youth Advisory Committee. Andrea received the “Stars” award from the Plymouth Canton Community Schools for her achievements in “Destination Imagination”.
In high school Andrea continued being a contributing member of the Plymouth Youth Advisory Committee. She had poetry published in The International Library of Poetry. She continued being a success with “Destination Imagination”. She qualified and participated in Global competition for DI. She was in Student Government. She participated in Science Olympiad. Since Andrea was unable to participate in sports in high school, she was a football team manager for 4 years. She was also a contributing member of the Junior Rotary and was Vice President and President. Andrea was a member of National Honor Society and received special congressional recognition for her academic excellence. Andrea received the 2007 Student Citizenship Award. Andrea was also the Sagear- Rotary Scholarship recipient in 2007. Andrea graduated from Canton High School in June 2007.
For Andrea’s Sandra Sagear Rotary Scholarship letter of recommendation, Cindy Barlett wrote, “I have watched Andrea blossom into an imaginative and innovative leader in her community, despite her physical health limitations…Instead of dwelling on limitations, Andrea chose a more productive route, that of community service…Her indomitable spirit and humor help her to make even the toughest of days possible.
Andrea received many scholarships as she pursued her undergraduate degree at Madonna University. Andrea continually made the Dean’s list. In 2008 she was inducted into the Sigma Zeta Beta Omicron Chapter, A national science and math honor society at Madonna University. Andrea continued to be an actively contributing member of the Plymouth AM Rotary. At Madonna, through the Office of Disabilities, Andrea made copies of her notes for students who needed them. For Andrea’s Senior project in Forensic Science, she worked on a “bloody fingerprint” agent that would pick up fingerprints at crime scenes. Her research project contributed to getting Madonna University federal grant funding. Andrea Graduated in 2012 with high honors with a Forensic Science Degree and was DNA certified.
While Andrea worked as a Pharmacy technician, she discovered her love for this field, and realized that she wanted to use her knowledge and pursue a Doctoral degree in Pharmacy. Andrea was accepted into the Ferris State University School of Pharmacy. She received scholarships for her academic achievements. She became a Lambda Kappa Sigma member where she focused much of her energy to the Hope project, a renowned global health and humanitarian relief organization. Her Doctoral project was on Digoxin, a medication Andrea has taken nearly her entire life. Andrea graduated with her Doctor of Pharmacy degree in 2017. Immediately following graduation, she studied for, and passed all the requirements to become a fully licensed Pharmacist.
Andrea moved out to the West side of the state. She works as a Pharmacy Manager at Rite Aid in Coloma. Every year she writes out hundreds of Christmas cards to people that don’t have anyone. Not many people can understand how life has been for Andrea. Andrea married the love of her life in summer of 2022. Matthew is a compassionate understanding husband that loves Andrea even with her health issues. Andrea and Matthew love attending their Bible Church in Byron Center. Life has been even more difficult and challenging for Andrea these last couple of years. She is in heart failure. She lives every day to the fullest! She exemplifies courage everyday of her life! She is the most amazing human that I have had the privilege and honor of knowing. She is my hero! She is my daughter.
I hope that you consider Andrea to be a worthy candidate for the Sandra Sagear Memorial Wall of Courage.
Sincerely,
Roberta Burdette, Andrea’s mother
