Tom Strandwitz III ’25 will soon embark on a new career — quite literally. This summer, the nursing graduate will spend two weeks aboard the
Africa Mercy Ship, participating in the inaugural Student Nursing Program. While on
board the Madagascar destination for nearly two weeks, he’ll have the opportunity
to shadow surgical care and explore strategies for outreach and health education in
communities with limited access.
“A year ago, I thought I would be headed to a nursing residency in Austin,” Strandwitz
said. “But in conversations with my advisor, Dr. (Suzy) Lockwood, who knew I was struggling
with my decision, she suggested Mercy Ships would be a good opportunity for me.” 
Launched in 1978, Mercy Ships provides safe, free surgical care, as well as surgical
education for medical professionals in African nations. The hospital ships are staffed
by volunteers, from surgeons, nurses and therapists to crew, teachers and mechanics.
“I knew of Tom’s passion for the underserved and strong commitment to population health,”
said Lockwood, professor and associate dean for nursing and nurse anesthesia in the
Harris College of Nursing & Health Sciences. “We had many conversations over the years
about his connections and discussions with his church family in Austin and with nursing
faculty mentors about the need for innovation in how health care is delivered and
accessed by those with limited resources and understanding.”
While in high school in the spring of 2020, Strandwitz visited TCU, his mom’s alma
mater. He was impressed by the nursing college and its direct admissions program,
applied and was accepted. Then came the pandemic.
“When COVID hit, I realized I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines — I wanted to be
where the need was, doing the work firsthand,” he said. “Nursing became the most direct
and meaningful way I could show up and make a real difference.”
Originally, he thought he’d make that difference in the ER, where the work is fast-paced
with life-saving moments. But after he took a public health course, his perspective
changed.
“I started to see that most patients coming through the doors were underinsured and
dealing with issues that could’ve been prevented with better access to primary care,”
he said. “That shifted my focus — I want to be part of the solution before it becomes
an emergency.”
Traveling (although never on a cruise ship) is not new to him, and he credits study
abroad trips in London and Ireland with shaping him.
“It was eye-opening to see how other countries’ health systems are designed,” he said.
“In the UK, care is free for everyone at the point of access.”
After learning more about the new internship program named “the mercyship,” Strandwitz was eager to start the application process, but first discussed the program
with his parents.
“It was a departure from my plan, but they understand how important this is to me,”
he said. “It’s my fundamental belief that health care is a human right, and Mercy
Ships delivers that human right to those who have the least access to it.”
After being accepted into the program, he was required to get vaccinations against
typhoid, yellow fever and others. As a Mercy Ship volunteer, Strandwitz is also expected
to raise or provide funds to cover costs. He hopes to raise money to cover fees through
a GoFundMe drive.
Once on board the ship, he and the other nurses will assist patients of all ages with
pre- and post-op care, including rehab.
“They recreate the hospital environment as best as they can,” said Strandwitz.
Kerry Peterson, senior vice president of advancement for Mercy Ships, said Strandwitz
was a great fit.
“We are thrilled to welcome Tom to our summer mercyship and to witness the passion he brings for hands-on service and global health,” Peterson
said. “Tom’s journey, from volunteering in underserved communities in Texas to pursuing
a career in public health, reflects exactly the kind of heart and purpose this program
was created to cultivate. We believe his time aboard the Africa Mercy in Madagascar
will not only deepen his impact as a future nurse but also inspire others to serve
with compassion and courage.”
After the experience, when he returns to the U.S., Strandwitz will come to TCU to
speak to those in Harris nursing about his experience. Lockwood is excited about others
getting involved.
“We already have two students who are hopeful that they can do this next summer,”
she said. “Mercy Ships has not historically taken nursing students, so the unique
opportunity to be part of this pilot and have a role in exploring ways that will support
student nurses is incredible. We believe that this will be an opportunity that many
of our students will be interested in — and look forward to Tom sharing how this impacted him and his career as a TCU Horned
Frog nursing alumnus.”
She also recognizes how valuable the program could be to the university.
“Not only does the mission of TCU talk about global citizenship and ethical leaders,
but Harris College’s vision is to impact global health,” she added. “TCU Nursing seeks
to prepare our students to be culturally competent and inclusive and to engage in
the delivery of holistic patient-centered care in ways that are meaningful. The opportunity
for our students to be in a setting that will offer them hands-on experiences to underserved
populations in a clinical setting that also recognizes the complementary impact of
spiritual care on physical healing is priceless.”
Reflecting on his time in nursing school and what’s next, he recognizes that TCU has
helped deepen his focus on global health and public health justice. When he returns
to Austin, he hopes to pursue a degree in epidemiology and work in disease surveillance
and community health planning.
“TCU Nursing has encouraged me to pursue what I’m passionate about, connecting me
and giving me opportunities to explore new avenues,” he said. “I just want to be part
of the public health solution.”
