1. Deana Michelle Newman
Cardiovascular Perfusionist
President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Chi Epsilon Omega Chapter East Lansing, Michigan
Deana Michelle Newman is a native of Chicago, Illinois and an advocate of community service and serves as a health information freelance writer and Senior Health Correspondent for the New Citizens Press.
A product of a single-parent household and an immediate family little in size, her mother religiously instilled the importance of education, values, and the courage to succeed from day one. Her mother’s caring spirit, patience, and love for life was admired by Deana. However, fourteen years ago, at the age of sixteen, she was faced with a life changing event…making the final decision to remove her mother from life-support after losing a seven year battle as a recipient of two liver transplants. Her mother’s physical departure became the focal point of her identity and spiritual paradigm to utilize her nourishment throughout her lifetime. Within the first twenty-three years of her life, additional family members were lost due to cancer, stroke, and heart disease.
A few of her personal missions have included tutoring, volunteering for a homeless shelter, organizing blood drives, spending time with patients at a hometown hospital, and mentoring youth.
She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Kentucky State University (Magna Cum Laude), Frankfort, Kentucky, where she was inducted into Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society and later presided. In 2000, she graduated from Rush University’s School of Allied Health, Chicago, Illinois, with a degree in Perfusion Technology and is currently completing coursework towards a Master of Arts in Health Communications at Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan. Currently she is employed at Sparrow Health Center, Lansing, Michigan where she practices as a Cardiovascular Perfusionist and serves on the Board of Directors for the Michigan Perfusion Society.
Deana was inducted into Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, Chi Epsilon Omega Chapter East Lansing, Michigan, in 2004 and currently serves as the chapter’s President. She is also a member of the Greater Lansing Area CHUMS, Incorporated, the Lansing Silhouettes of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Incorporated and was highlighted on WILX’s “Tuesday’s Child” segment, as a mentor for the Lansing Area Big Brothers and Big Sisters organization.
Six months after her arrival in Lansing, Deana was introduced to the man who would later become her husband and guide her into the next chapter of her life, David L. Newman, the Legislative Liaison for the Michigan Department of Information Technology. Today the couple resides in Delta Township with their two Bichon Frises: Ivy and Morpheus.
