Dr. Sarah Mae Foster ’03
When Adrienne M. Kelly, MD, FRCSC ’02, reflects on her time at Lake Superior State University, one friendship stands out above all others — Dr. Sarah Mae Foster.
“Sarah was one of those special people who, simply upon meeting them, you knew were going to go on to do exceptional things,” Kelly recalls. “She had a comforting confidence about her. You knew she could conquer the world — but without arrogance.”
The two met as members of LSSU’s women’s club hockey team, where a lifelong bond quickly formed. Though Kelly was new to the sport, Foster welcomed her without hesitation, even becoming her defense partner. “She never once judged me for being an awful hockey player,” Kelly laughs, “though she did judge me for my bird phobia — she loved all animals, especially guinea pigs and budgies.”
Beyond the ice, their connection deepened in the classroom. Both were pre-med students, sharing long hours of study and a mutual passion for science — especially parasitology. “As she used to say, ‘It is always a good day when you don’t have Loa loa (eye worm)!’” Kelly remembers.
Foster’s warmth, intelligence, and ambition made a lasting impression on everyone she met. “She was everyone’s friend,” Kelly says. “There was a sense of fun and ease just being around her—and a laugh no one will ever forget.”
Tragically, Foster’s promising future was cut short when she passed away from breast cancer in February 2014, just two weeks before her 34th birthday. She had been on a path to becoming a general surgeon, a career that perfectly matched her compassion and drive to help others.
In the wake of her passing, Kelly knew she wanted to honor her friend’s life in a meaningful way. That vision has now come to life through the Dr. Sarah Mae Foster Memorial Pre-Professional Scholarship.
“We both adored our time at Lake State,” Kelly says. “We were on full academic scholarships, and I know that played a huge role in shaping our careers.”
The scholarship is designed to support female hockey players at LSSU who are pursuing degrees in health sciences or pre-professional programs. For Kelly, the purpose is deeply personal.
“Medical school and other professional programs require many years of training, often without income,” she explains. “Scholarships can be the difference-maker in whether someone is able to pursue that path.”
Just as important, the scholarship helps student-athletes continue participating in the sport they love. “Having that financial support allows students to stay involved in athletics without the added pressure of needing to work to cover expenses,” Kelly says. “There’s also a clear link between sports participation and academic success.”
Dr. David Travis and Dr. Adrienne Kelly ’02
For Kelly, creating a scholarship specifically for female hockey players felt like the perfect tribute to Foster’s legacy — bringing together her passions for healthcare, learning, and athletics.
“Sarah was everyone’s cheerleader,” she says. “She would be so proud to know that her name is helping educate the next generation of caregivers while they continue to play the sport she loved so much.”
Through this scholarship, Foster’s spirit lives on — encouraging, supporting, and inspiring future Lakers to pursue their dreams with the same compassion, determination, and joy she embodied every day.
Featured photo at top: Front row (left to right): LSSU President Dr. David Travis; Adrienne M. Kelly, MD, FRCSC (’02), Orthopaedic Surgery. Back row (left to right): LSSU Senior Director of Advancement Andrew Rubinstein; ACHA Division I Women’s Hockey Head Coach Matt Parker; and LSSU Athletic Director Tory Lindley.
For those interested in creating a lasting impact like this, establishing a scholarship is a meaningful way to support future Lakers. To learn more about starting a scholarship at Lake Superior State University, please contact Erin Lake, Director of Donor and Scholarship Relations, at (906) 635-6210 or email [email protected].