Lending Her Light on Mission | Cailey Rooker’s ’24 Journey of Faith
Many students are drawn to Valpo for the academic programs offered. Others for the opportunity to compete in NCAA Division 1 athletics. Yet others are drawn to the community found in our faith and student life. For Cailey Rooker ’24, it was all of the above and so much more — “Valpo was an answered prayer,” she says. Drawn by the physician assistant (PA) program, a spot on the golf team, the community aspect, and her family’s legacy at the University, Cailey discovered the perfect environment to grow academically, spiritually, and personally.
While balancing academics and athletics was no small feat, Cailey found it a rewarding challenge. “Golf has always been one of my favorite things, and I wanted to compete, not just participate,” she explains. Through time management, prioritization, and a supportive community, she excelled in both pursuits. “My faith was a huge part of it,” she says. “I trusted that God’s plan would enable me to achieve everything I hoped for, even when it felt overwhelming.”
Raised in a Christian home, Cailey received seeds of faith that truly took root during her time at Valpo. “I realized I needed to seek God for myself,” she shares. This search led her to a local church, Calvary Church of Valparaiso, where she found a second family and a renewed connection to Christ. “The community there completely changed my life, helping me grow closer to Jesus while also serving middle school girls alongside my friend, Rachel,” she says.
Rachel Yeager ’24, a fellow physician assistant student, became a kindred spirit in faith and purpose. “We weren’t close until PA school, but it was like God placed us together at just the right time,” Cailey reflects. Their friendship and shared calling inspired them to serve internationally after graduation. Partnering with Samaritan’s Purse, the two provided medical care at Kapsowar Mission Hospital in Kenya, where resources were limited and patients’ needs were critical. “We treated hospitalized patients in critical need, prayed with them, and witnessed their joy even in hardship,” Rachel shares. “It was a blessing beyond measure.”
For Cailey, the experience was transformative. “The power of prayer and the strength of faith in such vulnerable situations were incredible,” she recalls. “Seeing entire communities come together to pray over patients, families, and even strangers reminded me of the peace and hope that only God can provide.” She also marveled at the slow, intentional pace of life in Kapsowar, where relationships and community were prioritized. “They taught me the value of time — slowing down, being present, and truly appreciating the people around you,” she says.
Cailey credits her professors at Valpo for preparing her to serve with confidence and compassion. Faculty members in the physician assistant program offered not only academic rigor but also mentorship and encouragement. “They genuinely cared about my growth and believed in my ability to make a difference,” she reflects. Their guidance strengthened her foundation, allowing her to thrive in challenging environments, whether in classrooms, hospitals, or remote mission fields.
As she looks to the future, Cailey is committed to using her education to serve others, balancing her work in dermatology with opportunities to bring healing and hope wherever it’s needed. “I want to continue following God’s calling, whether that’s in my practice or on mission trips,” she says.
Cailey’s story embodies what it means to be a Beacon — grounded in faith and radiating hope and compassion wherever her calling leads. With a heart full of gratitude and a purpose illuminated by her experiences at Valpo, she’s ready to light the way for others.
If you are inspired by Cailey’s story and ready to lend your light, explore all the ways you can radiate compassionate care through Valpo’s College of Nursing and Health Professions.
