Finishing strong

In December 2024, while a junior at the University of Delaware, Maizie Mensah began experiencing tingling and numbness in both hands.

"It would come and go; I thought I was dehydrated or slept on them funny," she said.

A week later, the then-junior medical diagnostics major with a pre-physician assistant concentration (MDD-PPA) began stumbling in her dorm and went to the hospital, where doctors initially couldn't find anything wrong.

The next day, Mensah's symptoms intensified; she felt a burning sensation throughout her entire body and couldn't walk. She returned to the hospital, where her symptoms continued to puzzle doctors.

Soon after, Mensah couldn't swallow food, and her speech was slurred. She later woke up in the neuro critical care unit after an emergency intubation.

"I couldn't move at all; I couldn't even close my eyes," Mensah said.

Physicians diagnosed her with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), a rare autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks the nerves, causing weakness, numbness or paralysis.

After two months in the hospital, Mensah continued her recovery at an inpatient rehabilitation center with ChristianaCare, where she had to relearn how to eat, talk and walk. As the youngest person at the rehab, Mensah was determined to return to UD to finish her senior year and apply to physician assistant (PA) schools.

"That motivated me and overtook the fear I was feeling," Mensah said.

Mensah said the experience also strengthened her goal of becoming a physician assistant.

"I will be more attentive to what patients say," Mensah said. "I went to the hospital multiple times because I knew something was wrong, and everyone said I was fine. I wasn't fine. My experience will give me the strength to advocate for people who feel like they're not being heard."

Returning to UD

While recovering, Mensah, a first-generation college student from Ghana, took a medical leave of absence from UD and missed the spring 2025 semester. That's when academic advisor Susan Coffing stepped in and urged Mensah to switch her major to interdisciplinary studies in medical and molecular sciences, with a minor in forensic science.

The restricted pathway is designed for MDD-PPA students who need to adjust coursework to stay on track for graduation.

Coffing also helped Mensah select classes that worked for her circumstances.

"She had made a lot of progress, but still wasn't terribly mobile at first," Coffing said. "So, we chose asynchronous and online classes that kept her as a full-time student."

Mensah also took advantage of UD's Winter Session to fulfill the requirements for her new forensic science minor.

Each semester, Coffing, who advises hundreds of students in medical and molecular sciences majors, says some students need a little extra attention.

"Our students deal with real issues and challenges, and it's my job to advocate for them," Coffing said. "I'm really proud of Maizie. It's a privilege to help students - even in the smallest way - get through their struggles."

Since returning to campus, Mensah has advocated for people with disabilities through her role as an international liaison for the GBS/CIDP Foundation; she also worked in UD's Physical Therapy Clinic as an aide, while taking classes, and received the 2026 Resilience Award from the Department of Medical and Molecular Sciences (MMSC).

"This award is for students, like Maizie, who overcome obstacles while maintaining strong academic standards," said Esther Biswas-Fiss, professor and chair of the MMSC Department. "Maizie balanced a challenging recovery with her academic responsibilities, which reflects her perseverance and drive."

Now, Mensah will not only graduate from UD's College of Health Sciences on schedule but also remains on track to apply to PA school.

"It will feel so good to walk across the Convocation stage," Mensah said. "It will be a full-circle moment. All I ever wanted was to walk again."