June Bear of the Month - Dr. Danielle Strawn - Class of 2010
Dr. Strawn with husband Cameron, and pup Avery.
From the Classroom to the Operating Room - Dr. Danielle Strawn
This June, the Noble Public Schools Foundation is honored to recognize Dr. Danielle Strawn, Noble High School Class of 2010, as our Bear of the Month. A lifelong Bear and a shining example of academic excellence and professional dedication, Dr. Strawn’s journey from the classrooms of Noble to the operating rooms of Indiana is both inspiring and deeply rooted in the values she gained growing up in this community.
Danielle attended Noble Public Schools from kindergarten through graduation, earning the title of valedictorian and receiving multiple scholarships from the district that helped launch her future in medicine. With a strong academic foundation, she went on to attend the University of Oklahoma, majoring in Biology with minors in Spanish and Sociology as a pre-med student.
Thanks to her commitment in high school — including AP classes, concurrent enrollment, and CLEP tests — Danielle began college with several semesters of credit. This academic head start allowed her to broaden her educational experience, study abroad in Spain, and work part-time at Kendall’s Restaurant, all while staying active and engaged on campus. She graduated with honors and was inducted into the prestigious Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society.
Following her undergraduate success, Danielle pursued her dream of becoming a physician at Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she discovered her passion for general surgery. In addition to excelling in her coursework and clinical rotations, she joined Pros for Africa, helping raise tuition for a Ugandan medical student and traveling to Uganda to provide hands-on care. She graduated in the top 10 of her class, excelling on her board exams and earning a highly competitive spot in the General Surgery Residency at Henry Ford Hospital in Jackson, Michigan — her top choice.
Residency was no easy feat. Danielle spent five intense years working 80-hour weeks, covering holidays, and pushing through 28-hour shifts. Amid the demanding schedule, she met her husband, Cameron, who became her greatest support system. The couple married in 2022 and have since built a life together — along with their dog, Avery — in Northwest Indiana.
Today, Dr. Strawn works as a General Surgeon at Franciscan Health in Munster, Indiana, where she treats a wide range of conditions including breast cancer, hernia repair, gallbladder disease, colon disease and cancer, and skin procedures. While her work remains demanding, she has found a better work-life balance and is honored to walk alongside her patients during some of their most vulnerable moments.
Outside of the hospital, Danielle enjoys reading, hiking, lake trips with Cameron and Avery, and exploring new places. She’s recently taken up pilates, and she and Cameron love to travel — with their most recent adventure taking them to Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany.
Dr. Danielle Strawn is a remarkable example of what it means to be a Noble Bear — driven, compassionate, and committed to serving others. Her story serves as an inspiration to current students and alumni alike, proving that a small-town beginning can lead to a big impact on the world.
Congratulations to Dr. Danielle Strawn, our June Bear of the Month!
How did your years spent in Noble contribute to shaping who you are today?
I had so many great teachers and mentors who inspired my passion for learning and encouraged me that I could do anything I set my mind to. They helped set me up for success in the long run and went above and beyond to help me achieve my goals. I learned leadership skills through my years on the cheerleading squad. I was prepared to juggle work and activities through my membership and leadership in campus clubs as well as working at Kendall’s from the age of 16 on. It’s great to be a part of a true community, where you know the people are always rooting for your success and will do whatever they can to help you. It helps to improve your confidence which is so important as you grow in to yourself.
What are your favorite memories about growing up in Noble?
I always loved spirit week and homecoming. The activities, parades, rallies and the atmosphere of excitement.
Who were your most impactful teachers and why?
This is a hard one because I could name so many. Mrs. Russell and Mrs. Nash helped set the foundation early on. Mr. Creila and Mr. Conley pushed me to always do more and be the best I could be. Mrs. Mojica, Mrs. Rice, and Mr. Caddell inspired a lifelong interest in history and government. Mr. Allen and Mr. Russell made math fun. Mrs. Caddell, Ms. Fields, and Mrs. Stejskal encouraged my love for literature and grammar. Mr. Wells, Mrs. Ford, and Mr. Peck inspired and shaped my lifelong love of science that set the trajectory of my life. And lastly, Mrs. Rey who helped me fall in love with Spanish and made sure I knew the world was a huge place worth exploring and learning about people different than me.
What advice do you have for the current students of Noble?
I think being from a small town you can sometimes feel like others may know more than you or are better prepared, but that’s not true at all. I went into OU with this chip on my shoulder, and it took me a few semesters to realize I was as prepared or more so than my classmates. I also think it’s important to keep an open mind. The things you want at 18 may or may not be the things you want at 22, 32, etc and that’s okay. You don’t have to have it all figured out when you graduate, you just need a general idea. If you want to go to college- great, take some classes in what you think you want to do and go from there. If you want to enter a trade- talk to people, find a mentor, and make yourself invaluable. There is not a set path you have to follow, especially as a young woman.
What is your personal definition of success?
I think success looks different for everyone, and that’s the beauty of it. For me- it’s always challenging myself and doing the right thing even when it’s hard.