Dr. Nagel Gets Inducted into her High School's Hall of Fame

As Bloom Trail alumni filed into the school's library you can hear laughter coming from the room. Going in, hugs are all around. Dr. Maria Acena Nagel, from the class of 1987 has come home.

It's been several years since the Doctor has returned to her roots. Something special brought her back to her school located in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She has been chosen as a 2018 Bloom Trail High School Hall of Fame Inductee.

The current principal, Dr. Deb Graham welcomes Dr. Acena Nagel back home by giving her a school ID. Pictured on the ID, is a photo of her when she was a senior.

Dr. Lenell Navarre, Superintendent at Bloom Township High School District 206 comes up and congratulates Dr. Maria Acena Nagel for being inducted into Bloom Trail High School Hall of Fame. Photos are taken and friends are reconnected. Later that evening, a dinner is held for her and two other inductees.

Dr. Maria Acena Nagel is associate professor of a research laboratory at the University of Colorado School of Medicine. Her responsibilities include managing multiple grants researching how the virus that causes chickenpox and shingles also may cause strokes. The university named Nagel an associate professor of neurology in 2015 and associate professor of ophthalmology this year. Her bachelor’s degree is from the University of Chicago; she received her medical degree in 2002 from the University of Illinois.

During her speech at the Induction Ceremony, Nagel thanked her freshman high school teacher, who gave her an assignment of medical research. Her dream to become a doctor was due to that one assignment.

Nagel has been recognized for her professional achievements and during her career, she has traveled to other countries, participating in medical conferences and events. She has also authored 87 professional publications. Dr. Nagel has two children and resides in Denver.