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Single Edit One-on-one Service Supplemental Essays
Your success is our passion. (See just some of our 100's of testimonials and comments below). We are ready to help. Our current PA school essay editing service status (19th April 2024): Accepting New Submissions
(Photo: Me circa 1987, just thinking about my future PA School Essay)
- Are you struggling to write your physician assistant personal statement?
- Are you out of ideas, or just need a second opinion?
- Do you want an essay that expresses who you truly are and grabs the reader's attention in the required 5,000-character limit?
We are here to help perfect your PA school essay
I have written countless times on this blog about the importance of your personal statement in the PA school application process. Beyond the well-established metrics (GPA, HCE/PCE hours, requisite coursework, etc.), the personal statement is the most crucial aspect of your application.
This is your time to express yourself, show your creativity, skills, and background, and make a memorable impression in seconds. This will be your only chance, so you must get it right the first time.
For some time, I had been dreaming about starting a physician assistant personal statement collaborative.
A place where PA school applicants like yourself can post their PA school essays and receive honest, constructive feedback followed by an acceptance letter to the PA school of your choice!
I have been reviewing a ton of essays recently, so many in fact that I can no longer do this on my own.
To solve this problem, I have assembled a team of professional writers, editors, and PA school admissions specialists who worked to revise and perfect my PA school application essay.
Beth Eakman has taught college writing and worked as a professional writer and editor since the late 1990s. Her projects have involved a wide range of disciplines and media, from editing technical reports to scriptwriting for the PBS Kids show Super Why! Her writing has appeared in publications including Brain, Child Magazine, New York Family Magazine, and Austin Family Magazine. Beth lives with her family just outside Austin, Texas. She is driven to help each client tell the best version of their story and achieve their dream of becoming a physician assistant.
Deanna Matzen is an author with articles featured in Earth Letter, Health Beats, Northwest Science & Technology, and the Transactions of the American Fisheries Society. With an early career in environmental science, she developed a solid foundation in technical writing. Her communication skills were further honed by producing and editing content for a non-profit website, blog, and quarterly journal. Inspired to extend her craft, she obtained a certificate in literary fiction, which she draws on to build vibrant scenes that bring stories to life. Deanna loves working with pre-PAs who are on the cusp of new beginnings to find their unique story and tell it confidently.
Carly Hallman is a professional writer and editor with a B.A. in English Writing and Rhetoric (summa cum laude) from St. Edward's University in Austin, Texas. She has worked as a curriculum developer, English teacher, and study abroad coordinator in Beijing, China, where she moved in 2011. In college, she was a Gilman Scholar and worked as a staff editor for her university's academic journal. Her first novel, Year of the Goose, was published in 2015, and her first memoir is forthcoming from Little A Books. Her essays and creative writing have appeared in The L.A. Review of Books, The Guardian, LitHub, and Identity Theory, among other publications.
Read more client testimonials or purchase a revision
We Work as a Team
Our team of professional editors is wonderful at cutting out the "fluff" that makes an essay lose focus and sets people over the 5,000-character limit. Their advice is always spot-on.
Sue, Sarah, and Carly are amazingly creative writers who will take your "ordinary" and turn it into entirely extraordinary.
I mean it when I say this service is one-of-a-kind! We have spent countless hours interviewing PA School admissions directors and faculty from across the country to find out exactly what it is they are looking for in your personal statement.
We even wrote a book about it.
To collaborate, we use Google Drive. Google Drive is free, has an intuitive interface with integrated live comments in the sidebar, the ability to have a real-time chat, to collaborate effortlessly, and to compare, revise, or restore revisions on the fly. Google Drive also has an excellent mobile app that will allow you to make edits on the go!
Our team has worked with hundreds of PA school applicants within the Google Drive environment, and we have had enormous success.
The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
I have set up two options that I hope will offer everyone a chance to participate:
- One-of-a-kind, confidential, paid personal statement review service
- A collaborative, free one (in the comments section)
Private, One-On-One Personal Statement Review Service
If you are interested in the paid service, you may choose your plan below.
The Personal Statement Review Service is:
- Behind closed doors within a private, secure network using Google Drive.
- It is completely interactive, meaning we will be able to provide real-time comments and corrections using the Google Drive interface.
- Telephone consultations are included with all edits above the single edit level. It’s often hard to communicate exactly what you want hundreds of miles away; for this reason, we offer the option to edit right along with us over the telephone while sharing in real-time over Google Drive. This is an option available to all our paid clients who purchase above the single edit level.
- We provide both revision and editing of all essays. What’s the difference? See below
- We will provide feedback, advice, and help with brainstorming and topic creation if you would like.
- We will help with a “final touch-up” before the big day, just in case your essay needs a few minor changes.
Why Choose Our Service?
- It’s not our opinion that matters. We have gone the extra step and personally interviewed PA school administrators from across the US to find out exactly what they think makes a personal statement exceptional.
- We are a team of PAs and professional writers having worked over seven years with PA school applicants like yourself, providing countless hours of one-on-one editing and revision.
- Our clients receive interviews, and many go on to receive acceptance into their PA School of choice.
Because we always give 100%, we will open the essay collaborative for a limited number of applicants each month and then close this depending on the amount of editing that needs to be done and the time that is available.
Our goal is not quantity but quality. We want only serious applicants who are serious about getting into PA school.
Writing is not a tool like a piece of software but more like how a photograph can capture your mood. It’s more like art. The process of developing a unique, memorable personal statement is time-intensive, and it takes hours to compose, edit, finalize, and personalize an essay.
As Antoinette Bosco once said:
And this is why I am charging for this service. We love helping people find stories that define their lives, and we love helping individuals who have the passion to achieve their dreams. It’s hard to describe the feeling I get when an applicant writes back to tell me they were accepted into PA school.
There is no price tag I can place on this; it’s the feeling we get when we help another human being. It’s just like providing health care. But this takes time.
Interested? Choose your plan below.
Read more client testimonials.
Free Personal Statement Review
Post your essay in the comments section for a free critique
We want to make this opportunity available to everyone who would like help with their essay, and that is why we are offering free, limited feedback on the blog.
You post your essay in the comments section, and you will get our critique. It is that easy. We will try to give feedback to every single person who posts their COMPLETE essay here on this blog post in the comments section.
Also, by posting your comment, we reserve the right to use your essay.
We will provide feedback on essays that are complete and fit the CASPA requirements (View CASPA requirements here). We will not provide feedback on partial essays or review opening or closing statements. Your essay will be on a public platform, which has both its benefits and some obvious drawbacks. The feedback is limited, but we will try to help in any way we can.
Note: Comment Rules: Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re gonna be — cool. Critical is fine, but if you’re rude, I will delete your stuff. Otherwise, have fun, and thanks for adding to the conversation! And this should go without saying: if you feel the need to plagiarize someone else’s content, you do not deserve to go to PA school.
* Also, depending on the time of year, it may take me several weeks to reply!
We love working with PA school applicants, but don't just take our word for it!
How to submit your essay for the paid service
If you are serious and would like to have real, focused, and personalized help writing your personal statement, please choose your level of service and submit your payment below.
After you have submitted your payment, you will be redirected to the submissions page, where you can send us your essay as well as any special instructions. We will contact you immediately upon receipt of your payment and essay so we may begin work right away.
Pricing is as follows:
Choose your plan, then click "Buy Now" to submit your essay, and we will get started right away!
Every purchase includes a FREE digital copy of our new 100-page eBook, How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement, Our 101 PA School Admission Essays e-book, the expert panel audiobook, and companion workbook. This is a $65 value included for free with your purchase.
All credit card payments are processed via PayPal over a secure HTTPS server. Once your payment is processed, you will be immediately redirected back to the essay submission page. There, you will submit your essay along with some biographical info and all suggestions or comments you choose to provide. You will receive immediate confirmation that your essay has been securely transmitted as well as your personal copy of "How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement." Contact [email protected] if you have any questions, comments, or problems - I am available 24/7.
The hourly service includes your original edit and one-on-one time over Google Drive. It is simple to add more time if necessary, but you may be surprised at what a difference just a single edit can make. We find our four-hour service to be the most effective in terms of time for follow-up and full collaboration. We are open to reduced-rate add-ons to suit your individual needs.
Writing and Revision
All writing benefits from rewriting when done well.
When you are in the process of writing a draft of an essay, you should be thinking first about revision, not editing.
What’s the difference?
Revision refers to the substantial changing of text. For example, it may include re-organizing ideas and paragraphs, providing additional examples or information, and rewriting a conclusion for clarity.
Editing, on the other hand, refers to correcting mistakes in spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
On all submissions, we perform both revision and editing.
How to submit your PA school essay for the FREE editing service
Follow the rules above and get to work below in the comments section. I look forward to reading all your essay submissions.
- Stephen Pasquini PA-C
View all posts in this series
- How to Write the Perfect Physician Assistant School Application Essay
- The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative
- Do You Recognize These 7 Common Mistakes in Your Personal Statement?
- 7 Essays in 7 Days: PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 1, “A PA Changed My Life”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 2, “I Want to Move Towards the Forefront of Patient Care”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 3, “She Smiled, Said “Gracias!” and Gave me a Big Hug”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 4, “I Have Gained so Much Experience by Working With Patients”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 5, “Then Reach, my Son, and Lift Your People up With You”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 6, “That First Day in Surgery was the First Day of the Rest of my Life”
- PA Personal Statement Workshop: Essay 7, “I Want to Take People From Dying to Living, I Want to Get Them Down From the Cliff.”
- Physician Assistant Personal Statement Workshop: “To say I was an accident-prone child is an understatement”
- 9 Simple Steps to Avoid Silly Spelling and Grammar Goofs in Your PA School Personel Statement
- 5 Tips to Get you Started on Your Personal Essay (and why you should do it now)
- How to Write Your Physician Assistant Personal Statement The Book!
- How to Write “Physician Assistant” The Definitive PA Grammar Guide
- 101 PA School Admissions Essays: The Book!
- 5 Things I’ve Learned Going Into My Fourth Physician Assistant Application Cycle
- 7 Tips for Addressing Shortcomings in Your PA School Personal Statement
- The #1 Mistake PRE-PAs Make on Their Personal Statement
- The Ultimate PA School Personal Statement Starter Kit
- The Ultimate Guide to CASPA Character and Space Limits
- 10 Questions Every PA School Personal Statement Must Answer
- 5 PA School Essays That Got These Pre-PAs Accepted Into PA School
- 7 Questions to Ask Yourself While Writing Your PA School Personal Statement
- 101 PA School Applicants Answer: What’s Your Greatest Strength?
- 12 Secrets to Writing an Irresistible PA School Personal Statement
- 7 Rules You Must Follow While Writing Your PA School Essay
- You Have 625 Words and 2.5 Minutes to Get Into PA School: Use Them Wisely
- What’s Your #1 Personal Statement Struggle?
- 31 (NEW) CASPA PA School Personal Statement Examples
- How to Prepare for Your PA School Interview Day Essay
- Should You Write Physician Associate or Physician Assistant on Your PA School Essay?
- Meet the World’s Sexiest PA School Applicants
- PA School Reapplicants: How to Rewrite Your PA School Essay for Guaranteed Success
- How to Write a Personal Statement Intro that Readers Want to Read
- PA School Reapplicant Personal Statement Checklist
- How to Deal with Bad News in Your Personal Statement
- Inside Out: How to use Pixar’s Rules of Storytelling to Improve your PA Personal Statement
- Ratatouille: A Pixar Recipe for PA School Personal Statement Success
- Personal Statement Panel Review (Replay)
- Mind Mapping: A Tool for Personal Statements, Supplemental Essays, and Interviews
- Start at the End: Advice for your PA School Personal Statement
Mujan says
*Thank you for taking the time to read this, any tips and editing help is appreciated.
I didn’t always know I wanted to be in healthcare. All I knew from early on was that I loved to create, whether it was painting, sketching, decoupage, or creating crafts out of random bits and bobs around the house; I was always in a creative mode. It wasn’t until later on in my life that I was introduced to another subject that would capture my attention: science.
While science and art may seem as if they are on opposite spectrums, they share more in common than many think. Both artists and scientists have curious natures, and approach problems with a bold spirit. In both their processes, artists and scientists examine deeply and take risks to gain results. As an artist, I’m able to see the world in a different perspective. Art has the ability to calm me down, and allows me to look at a problem in a different light. When I create, my mind slows down, and I’m able to dissect and organize what is going on around me. My artwork is what is known as mixed media; I use a variety of methods and supplies that for me are like puzzle pieces. Though it may not appear so, each stroke of the brush and splatter of fluid acrylic is thought out and pieced perfectly on the canvas. In the same vein, science can also help a person see a problem in a different light; peering at lab specimens under a microscope can give us a deeper perspective of diseases. The visuals are what give the bacteria more than just a name; they go beyond and explain the process of disease and conditions.
It wasn’t until I was at the University of Houston, that I was able to combine my love of art and science. There I studied a variety of subjects such as microbiology, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and anatomy and physiology. Looking at bacteria in microbiology lab was like looking at colorful abstract pieces of art, and in biochemistry it was as if there was hundreds of puzzle pieces waiting for me to piece together into one large and beautiful artwork. These courses challenged me in ways that were similar to when I was creating. While I loved learning in these classes, I knew I was facing some challenges when I needed to study. Throughout my life, I have always been more of a visual learner. If I needed to learn a process in math or science, I would create a visual for myself in order to engrain the information in my mind. So everything that had a conventional way of being learned, I had to create a different way for myself to understand the material. I reattempted organic chemistry using my own learning methods, and succeeded. Many times I struggled and at times I would fail to grasp concepts, but I continued to move forward. I continued on this path until I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in food science and nutrition. Later I earned my Master of Science degree in nutrition and metabolism and became a registered dietitian (RD).
During my masters program, part of my coursework required me to complete a dietetic internship. My clinical rotations working at different hospitals introduced me to physician assistants in a variety of different settings. I became very interested in the work of physician assistants and began to research about the field. And while I loved the work I was able to do as a dietitian, I began to want to help my patients more, and in a more hands on way. I was fortunate enough to be able to shadow and work with a pediatric cardiovascular surgery physician assistant at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital. The many pediatric patients we treated daily, arrived to the hospital appearing as if they were faded and torn art masterpieces in need of care. Each morning began with rounds with the multidisciplinary team of surgeons and doctors, physician assistants, nurses, and technicians. It was during rounds that the many puzzle pieces of a patient’s disease or disorder, were pieced together by physician assistant team members to get to the “heart” of the problem. During observations, I learned skills not just about medicine, but also how to care for patients in an emotional and social way. A patient’s outcome could be just as easily effected by the warm personality and kind bedside manner of the physician assistant and I was able to see many of the patients successfully recover and be discharged home, leaving as vibrant masterpieces once more.
My journey thus far has taken me down many paths, but I feel that being exposed to scenarios and content that are different from what one typically experiences daily can help one to feel and to see things differently, allowing for appreciation of the human condition in a different light. Just as it is important for physician assistants to be able to use all their knowledge and skills from one specialty to another, I too have diverse skills, hobbies, interests, and knowledge I have acquired both in science, art, and other subjects to help my patients. Da Vinci summed it up perfectly when he said “art is the queen of all sciences, communicating knowledge to all the generations of the world”. It is my opinion that the best scientists are artists as well.
Kelli B says
I assisted my husband out of his hospital bed as his nurse walked in with discharge paperwork. After explaining the instructions she asked if I had any further questions. I instinctively knew what to ask. This instinct has been shaped by observing a physician assistant for the past ten years. Growing up, I was immersed in the medical field as my mother went from being a medical assistant to a physician assistant. I have experienced firsthand what it means to be a physician assistant; it is not a journey that ends with graduation, but a lifelong commitment to learning and to serving others.
With my destination clear, it was time for me to determine the best path to get there; I focused on my associates and pre-requisites while I explored avenues for my undergraduate. After developing a clear understanding of anatomy and physiology, I was encouraged by my professor to tutor in open lab. It was here that I had an epiphany: no matter how well I understood a concept, if I could not communicate it effectively I would fall short of helping patients. In order to develop this ability, I decided to pursue a bachelor’s in psychology. I felt that this would help me communicate and relate to patients by better understanding the dynamics of human behavior.
Unfortunately, college is not free; in order to obtain a college degree I needed a flow of income. I explored jobs that would increase my knowledge of the medical field. I initially worked at an urgent care as a receptionist which helped me get a position at an integrative health clinic as a patient care specialist. While working directly with patients and care providers I expanded my clinical experience. I have also been able to explore a new facet of healthcare which focuses on wellness and prevention by using chiropractic, diet and nutrition, and physical therapy treatments. This has given me an opportunity to explore and understand integrative medicine and how important it is in healthcare. Still, the most valuable experience has been developing relationship with patients.
In addition I worked in medical records at North Clinic abstracting paper charts to assist in their transition to electronic medical records. This relationship allowed me the opportunity to shadow one of their physician assistants. I was able to build on my perspective of what a physician assistant does on a daily basis. I viewed x-rays and EKGs while discussing tests results and diagnoses. I was able to observe examination techniques and watch procedures. As a healthcare provider I believe one must listen, understand, and guide patients to make the best decisions for their health; something demonstrated at each patient visit.
Being exposed since I was a child, I developed an aptitude for medicine. I pursued classes and experiences to enhance this understanding. I plan to combine these unique experiences with my passion for healthcare to become a physician assistant. While incorporating my knowledge of integrative and traditional medicine, I will work to become an advocate for my patients and provide quality care.
Ana M says
Thank you for taking the time to read my essay! I appreciate your help and criticism!
Medicine, healthcare, and the lack thereof, have been crucial factors that impacted my life as well as my decision to become a physician’s assistant. At the age of three, I lost my mother to an undiagnosed pneumonia that turned into pleural empyema and claimed her life in a matter of weeks. I was often told that my mother, Livia, was by all accounts, the best mother that a child could wish for. Naturally, my childhood years brought many questions, and corroborating familial anecdotes, in an attempt to discern the scenario that lead to my mother’s tragic death. I was fixated with the diagnosis that was sympathetically called “water on the lungs”. My frustration over what, based on my rudimentary knowledge, should have been a markedly distinguishable diagnosis in an otherwise healthy 38-year-old female, came in frequent bouts during times of affliction.
The most poignant detail that became more and more relevant as I matured, was the story of my aunt Rodica (who had later become my adoptive mother) frantically searching for morphine for her dying sister, Livia, appealing to doctors and pharmacies for the medication that was known to be in very short supply. This story sparked in me a fascination with medicines.
Growing up in Romania, a communist country at that time, also deeply influenced my life. The medical system in Romania was in shambles. Medications were scarce and there were few clinics available to provide medical care, especially in rural areas. The socio-political climate served as a painful reminder of how I lost my mother to a normally treatable disease. However, hardship was faced with dignity and I remember my Aunt Rodica relentlessly encouraging our spirits and saying “I’m glad circumstances are hard because it makes us stronger!” The notion of pushing through adversity was instilled in my character early on, and my determination to turn difficulties into a learning opportunity would only grow.
December of 1989 was a turning point for my family and for everybody else I knew. The frigid winter air brought along the anticipation of a major revolution. The unrest culminated with violent clashes between the Militia and ordinary citizens that were determined to regain their human dignity and their inherent rights. Major cities in Romania, including my own, actively participated in the revolution demonstrations. For the first time I recall experiencing a sense of opportunity. I was determined to come to the United States, improve my English and immerse myself in the medical field.
Learning English, supporting myself through school and transitioning to life in the United States is a topic that requires its own essay. But, in the summer of 2014, I was able to finally pursue my original passion for medicine. I was temporarily contracted as a medical assistant by a licensed nurse practitioner. This experience gave me the opportunity to learn about conducting health evaluations for patients in the privacy of their own home. This particular job became a fertile medium for my growth as a medical professional and I was able to help navigate and connect the needs of individual patients to that of insurance companies. Working with patients in their own homes was not always easy, however I choose to embrace difficulties with the expectation that success takes effort, still hearing the little voice in the back of my mind urging me to be celebrate hardships as a mere challenge supporting my future growth both personally and professionally.
The trial by fire that sealed my decision to become a physician assistant took place during the year of 2015 when I worked as a volunteer at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Here I had the privilege to work alongside physicians and physician assistants, carefully observe their interaction with patients. Though most of the patients I helped care for during that time were elderly and struggling with orthopedic-related complications, I realized I was able to relate to their struggle with loss and illness. The pleadings of family members to help address the pain of their loved ones was met with empathy and genuine concern as I connected their experience to that of Rodica’s beseech for morphine for my dying mother. One of the most exciting aspects of volunteering at Mount Sinai was feeling my fascination with medications reignite, and my enthusiasm of thriving under the pressure of finding the right treatment for various infections.
I became increasingly committed to becoming the type of professional that I had long envisioned: one who is driven to save the lives of patients like my mother through early recognition and treatment. I have come across the world—breaking through personal, economic and linguistic barriers—to pursue my earliest passion. Continually motivated by my history and my Aunt Rodica’s exhortations, I fully intend to persevere.
Monica says
Any critique and/or advice is GREATLY appreciated.
It was a rainy Friday when I met Esther, a 19-year-old girl who presented with chronic sinus pain and pressure. Various specialists evaluated her allergies and headaches but had not reached any conclusion to solve her problems. So the natural thing to do was look more closely with a nasal endoscopy. I watched on the screen as the doctor fed the scope through Esther’s nose looking for a source that could be causing her symptoms. Lo and behold much like other specialists we found nothing. He decided to look more closely and ordered a CT scan.
I looked over my shoulder and saw Esther, who was looking pale and disoriented. Just as I was about to ask her if she was feeling ok she began to fall to the ground. I laid her down in the exam chair, raised her legs and called for the physician. I began to explain to her mother that this is temporary and would pass just as quickly as it came on and not to be alarmed. As I placed a cool rag on her forehead I began to explain that Esther had experienced an episode of vasovagal, meaning her body overreacted during the endoscopy causing her heart rate to drop, which in turn made her faint. I took her blood pressure, which was normal and reassured her that her color was back. Esther was able to tell us where she was and her name confirming that she was okay, just as the doctor walked into the room. Esther’s mom turned to me and said “Thank you for talking to us and making us comfortable, I could tell she was in good hands,” to which I responded, “It was my pleasure!”
And that’s nothing but the truth, it truly is my pleasure to take care of my patients and make them feel comfortable during every step of their exam. My work as a lead medical assistant for the past two years has fueled my passion and desire to have an influential career as a PA. I naturally fell into the role and excelled quickly. I had always possessed strong interpersonal skills and working closely with a physician and our patients has enabled me to tap into my ability to confidently answer patient questions with empathy and compassion. I am meticulous and thorough with every aspect of my job, which makes my patients feel like they are seen as a person and not just a chart with a chief complaint. I always make myself approachable and I am not too proud to admit when I need help, whether it be from the physician or colleague. However, I’ve found myself at a standstill desiring to learn more and obtain a more active role in healthcare. Naturally, a career as a PA will allow me to excel and fulfill that desire.
My shadowing experiences have instilled confidence in me that I will succeed as a PA by utilizing my attention to detail and empathy. PAs as a whole spend more time with their patients and therefore are able to build trusting relationships. This was first brought to my attention when I met, Chrissy, a PA working in a GI specialty. She knew every one of her patient’s histories, concerns, comorbidities and future goals. Each meeting had a purpose and her patients never felt rushed or unheard. She spoke to them in a way that made them feel incredibly comfortable with their pathology results or upcoming surgeries. She has qualities that I admire and also posses and will utilize in my career as a PA.
Maira, is the PA that works for the same ENT practice as myself. She is the first person our patients see in the hospital. I admire her for her ability to always stand her ground. As the main healthcare provider for our practice in the hospital she sets the tone for what people can expect. She is a straightforward, clear and concise which makes her approachable and efficient. She exudes confidence in her ability to treat and diagnose, which makes patients feel safe under her care. When I spend time with her in the hospital or the OR I see my future self. She has been a mentor to me and instilled confidence in me that I will succeed as a PA. As a former member of a PA advisory committee, she has confirmed that I am a qualified and strong candidate for an academic program, despite any setbacks in my past.
During college, I was unsure of my future and myself but I knew I wanted to be in healthcare with the ability to improve the lives of others. I struggled with finding my fit and was discouraged, which reflected on my academics. It was not until the end of my college career that I fell in love with the PA profession and decided that’s where I would excel. Being immersed in the healthcare field everyday for the past two years has given me the confidence in myself that I am pursuing the right path. I have experiences under my belt that many applicants do not have which I will be able to utilize in my academic and clinical experiences. That being said I know that if given the opportunity I would be successful throughout my graduate studies and my career. I am dedicated and motivated to continue to grow and learn and becoming a PA will allow me to facilitate those goals throughout my life.
Miguel Lomeli says
Thank you Stephen for taking the time to read all of our essays.
Growing up in an underrepresented area of Las Vegas Nevada, graduating from high school was a challenge to many and attending college immediately after high school was uncommon. My parents were Mexican immigrants who came to the United States for a better life. With only an elementary level education, they worked in the cleaning department namely housekeeping in the strip hotels. With minimal paying jobs, my family succumbed to living in an underserved neighborhood. The trend in my community was to finish high school and get a modest paying job in a casino. And that is exactly what I did. Ten years later, I felt an ardor to break the mold, attend college and walk across the stage to receive my degree in Kinesiology.
As a low income first generation college student, receiving my bachelor’s degree has taught me discipline and prepared me for further challenges. I first became interested in Health Sciences when I began taking organic chemistry and biology in college. I owe my intellectual influences to Dr. Berg at UNLV who taught chemistry and was a challenging professor. Not only did I learn to convert grams into moles, but I also learned the value of repetition and hard work. Additionally, Dr. Harbour who teaches biology at the College of Southern Nevada developed my interest in the microbiology world. I learned about the hidden and diverse world of superbugs and how much of today’s world misuses antibiotics. With persistence and long nights of studying I was able to pass these classes with good grades. As a result, I grew to appreciate the sciences, especially chemistry, and subsequently became a member of the College of Southern Nevada Chemistry Club. Through this experience, I gained valuable study habits and the ability to work hard and not quit which is a useful skill in Physician’s Assistant school.
Furthermore, I learned more about myself and the community when I began working at Nevada Behavioral Solutions. As a Basic Skills Trainer I teach basic living skills to psychiatric patients who may be afflicted from behavioral health conditions such as anxiety, depression, aggression and impulsive behavior. Additionally, I learned to develop my communication skills with uninsured and underserved patient populations, many of whom only speak Spanish. These families rely on me as a segue to deliver vital information back to the clinic regarding behavioral regression or progress. Similarly, during my childhood my family received help in the form of bilingual interpreters who were able to help fill out important forms such as medical, government and bank documents. Now I am the interpreter who is helping families by communicating in English and in Spanish. I get satisfaction when I am able to help others who may not be able to represent themselves. With the opportunity and privilege to apply to P.A. school, working with under privileged families in these communities gives me more motivation to become a Physician’s Assistant and help those in need.
Many citizens that come from “at risk” communities may not have access to affordable health care. That is why I chose to volunteer at the Ruffin Family Clinic through an organization called Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada. The majority of the clinics staff are volunteers including doctors, nurses, surgeons, Physician’s Assistant’s and prospective medical students. Patients who are in need receive treatment absolutely free. I feel proud to serve my community by volunteering my time and helping families who share similarities to the families in the community I grew up in.
I hope to one-day work as a Physician’s Assistant in a similar environment as those that may not have access to proper health care. Everyone has a purpose in life whether they know it or not. It took over a decade to find my purpose and that is to help the families that do not have a voice. Helping in my definition is much more than providing health care services. To me helping means the opportunity to make an impression in someone’s life by either interpreting through language or encouraging “at risk” youth to bifurcate from the common molds of most urban communities to continue they’re educational goals.
Russell Ridulfo says
**No matter how harsh, any critique is warmly welcomed** Thank you
Accidentally skipping a step on his way outside, Joseph, my grandfather, fell down the stairs and the following morning his vital signs ceased after a subdural hematoma reduced him to a terminal coma. A shorter man of 96 years and a resting smile, Joseph spent his latter years maintaining his garden, dancing with his wife, and entertaining us for traditional Italian dinners. I have a feeling I absorbed his humor while growing up. Walking into the house he would often look at me, ostensibly bemused, “What’s your name again?” with a mischievous grin flickering on his face. Unfortunately this Sunday, my siblings and I persuaded our parents to skip this week so we could spend the day outside. The following day on the ride home, my dad answered a call from my mom. Sitting in the front seat, I noticed before my twin that my dad’s voice had an unusual waver to it just before he was reduced to tears.
Consistent with most grieving tendencies after a tragedy, I felt guilty for his death. Feeling of guilt fleetingly subsided, however, knowing that his life was not cut short by me. Besides for comically poor hearing, Joseph made it to 96 without suffering from the common elder ailments but instead was good friends with his 25 pound dumbbells and lived on a diet from his garden that would make others envious. However upset I was, I was mostly enveloped in a sense of reflection; trying to take everything I learned from him and find a way to eternalize his legacy.
Years later, after obtaining a bachelor’s degree in biology, inspiration dawned on me after some trial and error; I realized that healthcare is the obvious way of perpetuating my grandfather’s life in everyday practice. Working in a toxicology lab for a year had cemented my passion for science but also refocused how I wanted to express that passion. Being in a lab breeds silence, silence that allowed me to realize healthcare would be a better way to serve my community. Once I was introduced to the PA track by a friend, I found it to be the ideal combination of all things that comprise my passion: biology, interpersonal relations and public empowerment. My first exposure in healthcare as a medical scribe was a stark insight into how much I needed to learn. However — inadequacies on medical vernacular and formalities aside — interacting with patients and taking their histories came to me naturally. Speaking to patients as they were friends seemed to assuage any perceived tensions and this success solidified my motivation to pursue the PA path.
Over the past year working as both a scribe and MA in geriatrics, I have had the opportunity to work with many patients who largely suffer from sequelae of the sedentary lifestyle. I occasionally have to brush away a wave of helplessness knowing that I am not able to advocate for better lifestyles. As a PA I will consistently have the opportunity to encourage preventive measures and coach on seemingly trivial ways to fulfill a healthier life as I have witnessed on multiple occasions while shadowing fellow PA colleagues. An air of lucidity came this summer as an international health fellow with FIMRC in La Merced, a critically underserved city in Peru. There I was able to assist with health campaigns and health empowerment through education. Not there to merely deliver supplies, we instead attempted to provide care for generations through community enlightenment on practical methods to improve overall health. Working with the Belen community, we presented an alternative to their current bathroom involving a permanent structure that incorporates compost. Working with a grade school, we developed an ongoing “Mini-First Aiders” program on how to take vitals, treat wounds and identify fractures. Even a lesson as simple as how to wash your hands gives the information necessary to have a choice. Through education you are afforded a choice and I am eager to be a facilitator of that choice.
For the former portion of my academic career, I proceeded extemporaneously. I did not strive for better grades, hit in volleyball better or tackle more solos in jazz band. Instilled in me was the notion that I could not improve since I was the inferior twin brother. Over time I attracted others with similar mentalities but once I chose Biology as my major, I broke away from my unprincipled group of friends and proudly assimilated with students who cared. This sense of inclusion led me to no longer be inured by a perceived lack of worth. I was motivated to strive to be better in all facets of my life and found myself believing that no challenge is unattainable with some mental stamina and perseverance. I finally strived not just to pass my classes, but to have the best grade in the class. Although on paper I may not have been able to fully vindicate my efforts, I have tried my best to make considerable strides so I can teach what it takes to make the most of your life.
Samantha says
**Thank you for reviewing my personal statement. I feel like I’ve hit a dead-end and really struggle with writing, so again thank you.
I can still remember my mother’s grief stricken voice. “Samantha, your father and uncle have been shot.” “What happened? Are you okay?” I asked. “Your uncle is not moving, your father was taken to the ER, and the police won’t let me leave.”
On the night of February 18, 2010 at approximately 10 PM at the Garden Apartments, my father and uncle were victims of a violent robbery. A mixture of disbelief and heartache filled my body as I felt the air leave my lungs. As I raced to the ER, I continuously told myself that he was the strongest man I know; my dad can survive this. The look on the doctor’s face confirmed my greatest fear that I had bargained with since receiving the call. “I’m sorry, he did not make it.” As I stood there attempting to comprehend what I just heard, I realized my mother was not there; she did not know. At the age of 16, the burden was placed on my shoulders to tell my mother that her husband was murdered. While this event was not the defining moment that began my quest to become a healthcare professional, it ignited a passion to change my life’s direction.
Growing up, school became a refuge from the harsh realities of life. When it came to learning and education, there was potential for equality. It did not matter if you had basic utilities such as electricity and water or even permanent shelter, everyone had an equal opportunity to thrive. I became fascinated with and immersed in science; however, after my father’s death I pushed myself to achieve goals that those in my community perceived to be impossible. At the age of 16, I found myself working full-time to substitute my father’s income, while simultaneously completing high school and an Associate’s degree.
Fours years after my Father’s death, I graduated from Baylor and chose to take the time to explore the health care profession. Coming from a poor socioeconomic community with little access to medical care, scribing is where I was first introduced to the PA profession. A particular case stands out to me during my time in the Emergency room. A young man was seen in the minor care by a PA due to mild chest pain which the triage nurse suspected to be a simple case of costochondritis. Upon exam, the PA suspected a different cause and consulted with the attending physician. They decided upon running an EKG and cardiac enzymes which came back abnormal. Upon further studies, the patient was found to have a serious blockage and was sent to the OR. Witnessing the teamwork displayed between the PA, physician, and nursing staff was simply amazing, and solidified my desire to be a part of that team.
While scribing I have come in contact with PA’s in many specialties including: hospitalist, family practice, emergency care, and urgent care, and this is what draws me to the PA profession the most. I have always been the happiest and most successful when I am learning and challenging myself; therefore, I know that sticking to one specialty my entire career would not satisfy me for the rest of my life. While at the same time being able to be apart of a team whose sole goal is to save and change patient’s lives–that is what I have been training my whole life for, with every road block and hardship I have endured and overcome.
Jamie says
By: Jamie
I remember being young when everything was so simple. I walked to school each morning in the same direction as I always had. Out the door, around the corner and through the shortcut. I never thought of going any other way; there just was not one that made any sense. When I got older the direction to take became much harder to determine. Choose your classes, pick your major and solidify your life plan. The path I remember being obvious became an endless web with no indication of which way was best.
I remember the frantic reports from the ED nurses: the aggressive 15-year-old female who spent the better part of the last four hours in and out of mechanical restraints. As her family’s last resort, Abby was delivered to the ED in a state of sheer panic after being told that a visit to her psychiatrist would be a three week wait. By the time Abby was escorted through our doors on a 72-hour hold, she was high and disoriented from the emergency medications. The intake counselor helped her walk; she was stumbling and lost. As soon as the medications wore off, it became apparent that the reports had not been exaggerated. That evening is still vivid in my mind as she scratched and tore at her own skin, unable to hear my words over her own sobbing. Abby was again restrained, a necessary but traumatizing intervention.
Following her restraints, I was assigned to just sit with her to monitor her safety. Nurses, doctors and social workers buzzed about trying to stabilize her medications and coordinate out patient care. During that time, she begged me for the answers, a direction toward freedom from her crippling depression and anxiety. I walked with her, that was all that I could do. For days we paced up and down the hallways of the hospital going in no particular direction at all. I felt limited by my inability to guide her or help stabilize her medically, but I was pleased that during this time, she learned that walking relieved her anxiety significantly.
Through a joint effort from the entire treatment team, Abby was able to discharge home with plans for prompt out patient care. I remember the proud smile on her face as she hugged me and promised she would never come back. Her mother thanked me with tears in her eyes not for fixing her or even for helping her but just for walking with her. “No one has ever taken the time to do that” she said. I could not shake a haunting feeling that day knowing that if she had been able to reach a provider sooner, stabilized on her medications more quickly, maybe she never would have faced the trauma of the mechanical restraints.
I never gave Abby any direction, I knew she had to do that for herself. What I could not find the words to say that day, and always wished I had, was that Abby gave me direction. In that moment I knew that a relationship I had fallen into by chance would change my life forever. I had to find a way to continue to walk with people like Abby, not through the halls of a hospital but instead through their journey to recovery in a less acute environment. Suddenly no other path made any sense and I knew that becoming a PA was like walking to school: it was just something I needed to do. I wish I could say that Abby’s story was unique, but over that next two years I began to see that it was not. Out patient psychiatry is an extremely under-served population with wait times exceeding two months for evaluations. I believe in the importance of inpatient facilities but have confidence that more providers would decrease the need for expensive and potentially traumatizing care.
I never saw Abby again and I do not know what path life has taken her on but what I do know is that I will never forget the steps we took together.
Katie Ackerman says
I have always been drawn to the medical field. My mom has been a Registered Nurse since 1991 and she is inspirational! From working in the neonatal unit at two hospitals to now working at an infertility clinic, she has always carried herself with a delightful attitude and a bright smile, providing the best care and getting to know her patients. Building relationships with patients is one of the features of being a Physician Assistant (PA) that excites me. One reason why physicians are hiring more PAs is so that their practice or their unit can care for more patients and allow for more patient interaction with the medical team. The PA profession stands out because of the PA-physician relationship that I have witnessed in shadowing. The providers develop an effective system with delegated roles that require trust and reliability. Based on this relationship, some PAs have more roles than others but there is typically an independence and autonomy that develops. It has been an ongoing complaint that patients don’t spend enough time with their physician or are too intimidated to ask questions. PAs can bridge that gap between patient and provider, building relationships and optimizing patient care by allowing for ample time in visits while ensuring that the patient is comfortable.
As someone who values family life and plans to raise a family of my own, the PA seems to be the perfect path. It is a great balance of being an autonomous healthcare provider while also having the ability to be a wife, mother and whatever else I’m called to be. In speaking to the PAs who I have shadowed, they have still been able to pursue interests outside of their work. Most have families and one pursues group fitness instruction. The PA has the opportunity to pursue a variety of passions, from healthcare to family life to personal interests.
I think the variety of specialties available to PAs is its best aspect. I find myself interested in different fields as my life moves in different directions. I have worked with children since youth and I love their spirit and energy. Pediatrics always seemed like the perfect fit for me. Then, I was introduced to women’s health in a new way during my Medical Spanish class at DePaul. I began to see my own fascination with pregnancy and got more involved at the infertility clinic. Perhaps I could pursue women’s health. In December of 2015, my grandfather underwent a triple bypass surgery with great success! I accompanied him to his appointments and became fascinated with the heart and the ways that it can impact every body system. Closely observing the work in the Cardiac ICU and the excellent care that they provided made me realize that cardiology could be the perfect place for me. However, on July 1 of this year, my boyfriend of three years, Brad, was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. In staying with him in the hospital for ten days, I was amazed by the care that he received. Although not seen by a PA, his nurse practitioner Nora helped me see what a similar role could be in this area of care. We were amazed by the nursing staff who spent time getting to know us while administering chemotherapy and the related treatments. I was mostly inspired by the way that all of the providers took the initiative to check on Brad beyond his physical needs. They helped us process what was a total shock to our system and made us both feel at ease. Every provider practiced holistic care for Brad, which is something I look forward to practicing in my own career. And thus, oncology made its way to my areas of interest. I love to learn and be challenged, so I look forward to exploring all of the possible specialties for a PA!
Holistic care has taken on a new meaning after my time at DePaul. From a liberal studies curriculum, I have learned about new ways to think about the world and the different ways that people experience it. I know this will help me in my career as a PA by being able to better relate to my patients and their families with unique backgrounds. From being at DePaul, I have also been greatly influenced by St. Vincent DePaul and St. Louise de Marillac who dedicated their lives to serving others, particularly the poor and marginalized. St. Louise, a nurse, said that “health is the most precious treasure of life” and encouraged St. Vincent to “do all he could to regain his health and take good care of it so that he can serve God and the poor for a longer time.” She provided healthcare that was spiritually rooted, holistic, collaborative and focused. I think her model is one that is relevant and necessary today, and it is one that I hope to strive for as a PA, perhaps to the extent of serving an underprivileged population and utilizing my Spanish minor if the opportunity presented itself.
There are many reasons why I am exhilarated to begin the journey of becoming a PA. Through my work I hope to always stay inspired by my family and the model of St. Louise in order to provide optimal patient care to as many people as possible. Thank you.
Slav says
John Bunyan, an English writer from the 17th century, once said ““You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” This quote exemplifies the true meaning of why I want to pursue a career in the medical profession. Working as a Relationship Banker, I help people deal with their everyday banking needs, along with planning for their financial future. However, as time passed by, I realized that I want to be more hands-on and engaged with helping people at a different level. I chose healthcare because of my professionalism towards people and love for science. I find science to be fascinating and a field of endless discoveries. My passion for science and healthcare grew even stronger after the birth of my daughter, Emma.
Emma was born happy and healthy, but when she turned three months old, my wife and I started to notice some irregular spots on her skin. The pediatrician assured us that it was nothing more than baby eczema and to treat it with creams and topical steroids. At first the creams helped, but eventually they stopped being effective and her eczema would flare up even more. We tried natural creams, stronger topical steroids, and various baby lotions, but nothing seemed to help her skin. Emma’s skin went from being baby soft to red raw skin that was in constant stage of itchiness, bleeding, oozing and flaking. We encountered countless physicians and dermatologists and every single one of them was sympathetic and helpful. I was amazed by the service that the medical community provided to us. After some great recommendations and advice, Emma’s skin was gradually improving and her eczema slowly disappeared. This is when I became more inclined to explore the medical field. I saw the improvement Emma went through and how it changed our lives for the better. I wanted to do the same for people and this is when my journey began.
I began volunteering at clinics and private offices where I had the opportunity to observe various medical professions. I didn’t know what field I wanted to pursue yet but I knew that I was in the right place to figure it out. After Emma’s illness, I took initiative to shadow a Physician Assistant who specializes in the dermatology field. I was intrigued at how he explained the procedures in detail to patients when the physician was not available. He was making conversations with patients and got to know them on a personal level. He made them feel comfortable and worry free. I also shadowed another Physician Assistant who specialized in allergy. I observed her assisting her supervising physician with small procedures and examinations. I was impressed at how she made sure every patient understood what she was prescribing to them before they left the office. Through my experience shadowing I was fortunate to learn the ethical concepts surrounding patient care. I learned that medicine can be challenging and exciting at the same time. There are many complications in healthcare, and sometimes it comes down to trial and error to figure out the cause. While working at a Urology office, a patient’s blood results showed high prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. This means that the patient may have prostate cancer or can be false positive. To ensure for this, the doctor took two more blood tests to see the comparisons. Results came back at high risk levels again. The doctor recommended performing a biopsy to diagnose prostate cancer. Luckily for the patient, prostate cancer was detected early and he was able to be treated successfully with an oncologist.
What attracted me the most to PA field was the diversity it has; the fact that a PA can specialize in various areas of medicine. This opportunity of flexibility and lateral mobility attracted me more to the unique role of PA versus other similar medical professions. Along with a full time job, I began taking pre-requisite courses that are needed for medical programs. It was cumbersome, but along with the support from my wife, I dedicated myself every step of the way. There is no doubt that health is the most important thing in life, and it will be a privilege to contribute to good health. I am eager to learn as much as I can about medicine and healthcare. Dedication, responsibility and reliability are keys to a successful PA and I have all of these traits. This makes me confident that the intensive PA program at your institution would be a good fit for me!
AD says
My motivation and passion for working in healthcare peaked while assisting a young cancer patient. At 14 years old, she had undergone a right arm amputation and later a scapulectomy for an aggressive osteosarcoma. Upon meeting the patient, I was overwhelmed with empathy and couldn’t help but imagine the grief she was going through. As I brought the patient and her mother to the exam room I could sense how nervous and scared they were to review the pathology report and have the bandages removed for the first time. After the physician’s evaluation, I removed the sutures and replaced the bandage. It was difficult to witness such emotion but overall it was an enlightening experience and I felt serenity in comforting her during her visit. Upon leaving, the patient and her mother were thankful for the level of care they received and I felt privileged to have participated in the effort. Through this experience and many others like it, I have learned that medicine can be a difficult and emotional profession. However, through life and work experiences such as these, I have developed the commitment, empathy, altruism, and motivation it takes to be a successful Physician Assistant.
Leading up to this eye opening experience, my internship at Hoag Memorial Hospital’s Mary and Dick Allen Diabetes Center further accelerated my desire to work in healthcare. The center focuses on providing underserved individuals in the surrounding community with educational and support services for those with or at risk for diabetes. As a student intern, I worked closely with a variety of healthcare professionals to prepare education material and organize free seminars on diabetes management and prevention. Working with an organization committed to improving the health of it’s surrounding community was inspiring and motivates me to continue their dedication to promoting health to others in need.
As I continued to purse a career in healthcare, I became more familiar with the role of a Physician Assistant. My exposure to the profession grew as I spent many hours shadowing an orthopedic Physician Assistant specializing in spinal disorders. It was intriguing to watch how well she worked autonomously both in clinic and in the operating room but also collaboratively with her supervising Physician. I admired how she treated her patients as individuals, rather than a symptom, while providing quality of care possible. Through my shadowing experience, I gained full time employment as a Medical Assistant at the orthopedic office providing hands on patient care. Working in a large orthopedic practice, with 20 Physicians and 7 Physician Assistants, I experienced first hand how a healthcare team works together to provide better and more efficient patient care. Treating a high volume and wide variety of patients has validated my confidence to adapt to a variety of circumstances and my passion for medicine has grown.
Medicine is a dynamic field with unlimited potential and exponential growth. I want to be an integral part of this growing field as a Physician Assistant to contribute towards advancements and availability of healthcare to those less fortunate. My goal in continuing a career as a Physician Assistant is to utilize the skills I have developed towards helping a diverse patient population. My personal, educational, and work experiences have shaped me to be an ideal candidate for your Physician Assistant program. I am passionate about medicine and compassionate towards others. Successful healthcare professionals exhibit empathy, possess integrity and are motivated towards achieving optimal patient care. I accept challenges with an eager attitude and am excited for the next chapter in my life as a Physician Assistant student.
Irene Opoku-Acheampong says
Hi Stephen! I really appreciate the time you’re taking out to read all of our essays.
Stepping back onto campus for my last year of my undergraduate career was a thrilling feeling! The rigor of the pre-med track, volunteer work at a public health center, and continuing my responsibilities as an International Ambassador made for a very challenging year. Additionally, I accepted the Student Ambassador job and would be giving tours to potential students and their families. Although I felt a bit overwhelmed by all these commitments, I knew this would be one of my most enriching years.
In August 2014 the death of the young and intelligent Michael Brown in Ferguson, only twenty minutes outside the comforts of campus, became a pivotal moment in my life. Chaotic dialogue and anonymous social media threats against the black students shook the campus. This polarizing event destroyed friendships and students lost faith in the faculty. My academics became secondary in order to create positive healing on campus; therefore, my Genetics grade was extremely below par. Even as I was extremely devastated by my poor performance in Genetics, I rejoiced in my newly found desire, demanding social justice for the underserved.
Our President, Dr. Fred Pestello, struggled in keeping the calm on campus. Dialogues and organized protests, such as sit-ins, demanded the nation’s undivided attention. My emotional connection and the strong eagerness to bring about healing to the community led me to joining hands with our President. We became known as the “bridge builders”: student activists who demanded that diversity be intentional. I vehemently agreed to a press interview with the St. Louis Dispatch in order to support the actions of our President because of his noticeable interest in making our campus inclusive. I then knew my profession had to involve working with underserved communities like the one Mike Brown lived where they are often forgotten.
I volunteered as a liaison at the free Saint Louis University Health Resource Center that provided services for mostly minorities but never truly took the time to critically analyze the plight of the community. They were the citizens that could not afford healthcare. My new-found understanding of marginalization drove me to ask myself how and where could I make a difference in such a short time? The opportunity presented itself in our monthly brainstorming sessions with fellow liaisons whose purpose was to improve the clinic’s efficacy. I emphasized the fact that people of the community we served needed a voice in these sessions and there appeared to be a need to widen the marketing of services offered. The head liaison felt this was worth exploring and presented my ideas to the lead medical student. Pleased with the acknowledgment of the clinic’s weaknesses, I opened my mind to other ways I could contribute.
I was fortunate enough to shadow a PA my last year of high school when Dr. Jesse Dadson, a family friend and pediatric anesthesiologist, offered me this experience. Intrigued by her wealth of knowledge and responsibilities, I admitted my new interest to Dr. Dadson. However, when he encouraged me to pursue medical school instead, I quickly pushed the idea of PA studies aside. Why then four years later did a strong sense of relief surge with each medical school rejection letter? Even reaching the second round in the application process did not bring me the joy I expected. These unorthodox reactions were due to the fact that I was pursuing something I did not want. I realized this upon graduating and decided to hit the ground running in pursuit of a career as a PA.
Post-graduation, I sought out multiple shadowing opportunities with PAs. Etheleen, a cheerful PA at Dallas Nephrology Associates showed me the ropes of pre-op. A typical day with Etheleen started with me arriving, scrubs on and ready to see her next patient. With my borrowed stethoscope in hand, Etheleen instructed me to first observe the patient’s alertness, color, and overall appearance. Most patients looked relatively healthy and alert, however, one patient stood out. The patient was a pleasant, quiet elderly woman. After observing her, I began to auscultate her heart, lungs, and abdomen. Heart, fine. Lungs, fine. Abdomen, normal. Etheleen then proceeded to undress the bandages over her fistula. Etheleen and I smelled the unmistakable odor of infection. The fistula was oozing and I knew she was inoperable. Etheleen called the physician over and knowing that I reached the same sound medical conclusion through mere observation made me feel confident and encouraged.
My experiences in the last couple of years have define my purpose in life. I spent most of my life preparing for a career as a physician, however, a series of seemingly disconnected events somehow connected and brought me to a different path. Adversity, failure, self-discovery and enthusiasm led me to this moment. Best of all shadowing Ethleen left no doubt that I made the right decision.
philip says
Thank you Stephen for paying it forward and offering this service to aspiring PA’s. This truly shows your passion for the profession. This is my first shot at applying and any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
It was Christmas Eve. My room was dark and humid. Other than the occasional lizard that would dart across the ceiling, I was alone. The walls were thin enough to let the sounds of cries bleed through from the maternity ward next door. I woke up in a panicked sweat thinking it was a bad dream until I realized it was all real. I was in a small local village hospital on the outskirts of Manila over 8,000 miles from home, did not speak the local language, and was fighting a severe pain in my stomach. During my stay my mind was filled with questions, none of which were answered by the hospital staff. My health was left to fate. A week later, I was on a flight back to the states. The only reminders were marks on my arms from misplaced I.V.s and unanswered questions about my first extended hospital stay. I had never felt so powerless.
My experience in the Philippines was humbling, the years went on and I packed away my memories of that hospital stay. After college, I began working as a nurse’s assistant. One night I was placed on call and was sound asleep at 4 o’clock in the morning. I woke to my cell phone ringing. I was to report to the intensive care unit to assist with a patient that had just gotten out of surgery. I arrived to see a man restrained by his wrists with tubes coming out of every opening in his body. I was informed by the charge nurse that his name was Todd. Todd had just had a Whipple procedure done and was hallucinating wildly. Todd’s family had also been notified about how complicated his procedure was and to make the proper arrangements. My job for the next twelve hours was to make sure all the tubes remained in place and to make sure he was as comfortable as possible. Throughout the night, I could see Todd ride the wave of his pain medications wearing off. He would writhe, let out a muffled scream and grab at the drain tubes leading to his abdomen. The medications the nurse gave him would abate the pain for a little while. We had a ritual. As Todd grasped for his tubes, I would hold out my hand for him to hold. I told him to squeeze hard until the nurse arrived. This complex dance continued with an increasing frequency throughout the night. I didn’t see Todd until a week later. I walked into Todd’s room as he opened his eyes and said in slurred-broken speech that he was glad to see me. I was surprised that he knew who I was. Unbeknownst to me Todd had been lucid the whole night we spent together. He wrote on a piece of paper that he was thankful for my patience.
For the next month, I would go and visit Todd on breaks. Todd informed me of his roller coaster ride of bouncing between the intensive care and oncology floor. I also heard stories of his family and army career. During his stay, Todd had been given the nickname “the sickest man in the hospital” by the staff of doctors caring for him. Todd had been sent back down to intensive care due to sepsis caused by gauze left in his abdomen after one of his follow-up surgeries. Todd was stable now and had escaped death yet again. At times, in Todd I saw an enduring resolve.
He joked, “I’ve beat cancer twice before and walked away from a plane crash. Now is not the time for me to go. I am like a cat. I have nine lives and there are a few of them left in me.”
Other times found to be me more difficult for Todd as I caught him staring out of the window quietly sobbing. As time went on I saw the number of tubes connected to Todd’s body decrease, he began eating solid food, and started regaining his use of words. On July 4th, the doctor came in and informed Todd that he was ready to leave the hospital. We’ve done all we could to get him to the point of leaving and now it was Todd’s job to take back his life and get it back on track. Fireworks from his seventh story window signaled Todd’s departure from the hospital. Todd took my hand, slowly shook it and thanked me. It was the last time I saw Todd.
For the past two years, I have worked in healthcare and have found my experiences to be incredibly rewarding. As a healthcare provider I have often cared for individuals at some of the most devastating periods of their lives. I have been honored to care for individuals like Todd and be a guide through a dark time in their lives. I often think back to my hospital stay in the Philippines, when I was alone and burdened with the dread of the unknown. Whether it is a warm hand to hold, soothing words to calm, or a medical plan of action to get some one’s life back on track, I believe there is no nobler profession than the healthcare field to positively impact someone else’s life.
Ben says
“There! I see the car.” I told my partner. We pulled up to the scene of the traffic incident and parked in front of the vehicle; the firefighters pulled up from the rear with their apparatus to provide a barrier from the oncoming traffic. Michael and I leapt out of the ambulance with our trauma bags and ran towards our patient. I quickly caught a glimpse of the vehicle as we reached the injured man. The mustang’s front end was still wrapped around the light pole, and the windshield was shattered. In our line of work, a shattered windshield is never a good sign. To our surprise, he was alive, but bloodied and bent over as he gasped for air. I immediately notice the laceration on his head. We both knew that he does not have much time, so we stabilized his injuries as quickly as possible before we took him to the hospital.
I developed an affinity to medicine while sitting in an urgent care with my parents as a child. I thought it was simply amazing how people were walking through the door looking atrociously ill only to come back out feeling better. Although I was unsure what role I wanted to be, I knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field when I am older. While becoming a physician or a nurse seemed to be the most obvious of the options available, I was first aware of the physician assistant (PA) profession when I was in the military. I have had physicians go through my medical evaluations in the past, but this was the first time I had a PA perform it. The length of time and attentiveness that the PA spent during the evaluation was appreciated; I felt like I was the only patient she had that day. The physicians who performed medical evaluations on me in the past did not dedicate as much of their time compared to the PA, and I felt that it was a noticeable difference between the two healthcare providers. As I continue to explore the different types of careers in medicine, that instance with the PA remained in the back of my brain. I realized that I want to be able to develop a rapport with patients and not feel constrained by the amount of patients that still needs to be seen.
I was able to find more opportunities to explore the profession further. I had an internship at UC Irvine Medical Center where I shadowed physicians and PAs as they do their patient rounds and record feedback from the patients afterwards. Although the physicians and PAs work jointly as a team to provide care for the patient, I was able to decipher subtle differences between the two types of healthcare professionals and further establish the road that I want to follow along.
Working as an emergency medical technician (EMT) has provided me with an indescribable number of experiences. It has exposed me to certain realities about life. From traumatic full arrests and mental illness to drug addiction and even death, I have noticed how these incidents affect our community and alter the lives of many. I have learned how vital the role of the emergency medical services play in pre-hospital care and how much we are needed in the community. Although I have enjoyed serving my community and providing care for citizens in a pre-hospital setting, I often yearn for the ability to do more for them in these situations. There have been instances where I find myself staying behind and listening in on the physician and nurses consulting with each other and giving treatment for the patient.
Although I have had gained a tremendous amount of experience in regards to my clinical skills and knowledge, I have not always had the same success. After I came back from my tour of duty in Iraq, I was not able to assimilate myself immediately into being a civilian and college student. However, I continued on and utilized my resources in order to improve my grades. I became a member of the veterans student organization and a community service club and sought counseling services at school. I sincerely believed that the series of events played immense roles in helping me overcome my hardships.
I know that the obstacles I have overcome during my undergraduate and military careers have shaped me into the man I am today and the compassionate, confident PA I hope to become in the future. The times I have spend in school, volunteering in the community and hospitals and overseas with the military have taught me to push through adversity and persevere during life’s ups and downs. Similarly to how I leapt out of the ambulance to treat the victim of the vehicle accident, I plan to leap into the PA profession, knowing that this is my calling.
Marie says
Thank you so much for offering this service, this is for my first time around applying.
It’s a late rainy night, we all hustle into the house laughing as we kick off our shoes and plop down onto the couch. My Godmother, Maggie and best friend, Annie find is hysterical my butt is soaked from forgetting to roll up the car window and having to endure the ride home from the restaurant on the damp drivers seat. We finally settle down and my godmother gets this odd expression on her face, she looks at her daughter Annie, then back to me. Maggie starts with the words no one ever wants to hear, I have something I need to tell you two. Annie and I exchange glances, Maggie continues on telling us her sister Maureen has been diagnosed with breast cancer. We are all devastated, not only because her sisters life has been forever changed but also because, her other sister Kate is in hospice dying of complications due to throat cancer, with only a few weeks, maybe days left to live.
Now I am one of the first to tell you life is not perfect or easy, if it was, how would we grow as person, decide what we really want in life and thus work hard to achieve this. But it is moments like this that make you really question can you handle all that life is throwing at you. While the answer is not a simple yes or no, it is these moments that affirm why I want to be a physician assistant. I have never had that life-altering event that instance when I knew I was destined to be a physician assistant. Instead it is the small occurrences happening around me in all different aspects of my life that confirm over and over that I will be a physician assistant. Hearing this news is one of those moments. I want to be the physician assistant that is there for Maureen and her family throughout her experience, to let her know that the person taking care of her is looking out for her best interest. I believe my ability to relate to others and be compassionate in the midst’s of the most unfortunate moments is one of my greatest qualities that I can carry over to being a physician assistant.
The healthcare seed was planted early on by my mother, an occupational therapist. I will never forget watching how incredibly devoted my mother was to her patients and in return how grateful her patients were back. The fulfillment my mother received for all her hard work is something I always admired and decided I wanted in my life at a young age. This feeling led me to volunteer at the Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp as a camp counselor. It was there, I got to play a positive role in the lives of children affected by various forms of neuromuscular diseases. I better understand what they go through each day and learn how to best help them, whether that be transferring them from their bed to wheelchair, assisting with ADL’s or just simply being a friend. This experience has taught me to be a better person and has enhanced my desire to pay it forward through medicine. The satisfaction I get from their smiles everyday at camp is an incomparable feeling. Moments at camp further remind me that I am ready for the next step in my career, where I can play a larger role in patient’s lives.
As I have grown as a person, so have my goals, expectations and understanding of others; this is reflective in my undergraduate GPA. While I struggled in earlier semesters, as my drive to become a physician assistant grew, so did my grades in prerequisite classes. My experience as a college student athlete hindered my schoolwork time allotment, but taught me much about who I am and how to truly be a team player. This was further solidified by my senior year internship at a cardiac rehabilitation center as an exercise physiologist. There, I was able to interact with patients each day and track their progress to a healthier lifestyle through increasing their workout regiment while tracking their vital signs each session. The fulfillment I witnessed when patients reached their goals set at the beginning of the program for a healthier lifestyle, made me realize I made the correct decision to pursue medicine.
My experiences have given me a solid foundation and strong desire to make a difference in the healthcare environment. My approach toward healthcare is more then just a good job, but a way of life that leaves a positive impact on a patient and their family. I have been lucky enough to be surround by positive influences including the physician assistant I shadowed, she made a field I had no previous interest in something I became passionate about in just the first day of shadowing. Watching her interact with her patients in the urology practice, relieving their worries with compassionate solutions while making it a practical learning environment for myself, just increased my interest in being apart of the healthcare team. I plan to give hundred percent of my drive, knowledge and compassion to being a physician assistant and further closing the gap between patient and doctor.
k says
Hi, I would appreciate any feedback on the essay. I struggled a bit with the conclusion specifically and was wondering if you might have any suggestions? Thank you so much for your help.
From a young age, I was running around hospitals following my mom, the doctor. She would walk quickly around what felt like an endless hallway until we were finally at her desk. On those weekends when she forced us to go into work with her, she would bring out the teaching microscope and show us what she was looking at. Explaining pathology to a kindergartener was always a lost cause, but I loved watching her solve the problem. After a while, those weekend’s didn’t feel like a chore anymore but instead a fun lesson. Even though I grew up in a medical setting, there was minimal patient contact in my mom’s job. It was not until I saw my grandmother in the hospital that I realized how impactful the medical field was and it was not until recently that I found my place in it, a PA.
As a result of my grandmother’s neurodegenerative disease, I developed an interest in the brain and I choose to study MY COLLEGE MAJOR AT SCHOOL. For a while, I thought I wanted to be on the research end of medicine. At SCHOOL, I was given a research grant to study everything from eco-friendly fuel sources to drug delivery vectors. After graduation, I focused on pursuing research jobs, like the laboratory technician position I held at COMPANY. After making soap, I thought a masters in biomedical engineering would help me make advances in the medical field.
Throughout this rigorous master’s program I have maintained a 4.0 GPA as well as two jobs, one of those being a graduate assistant, the other a physical therapy technician. While working at NAME OF CLINIC Physical Therapy, I realized that I would not want to be in a laboratory all day but instead helping patients. I loved watching NAME OF THERAPIST RPT treat and while physical therapy tempted me, ultimately I wanted a job that would allow me to make the diagnosis instead of just treating the problem. Knowing that I did not want to do physical therapy, I choose to shadow a variety of health care professions to find a better fit. Luckily, I figured it out quickly after shadowing a physician assistant.
From a concussion care specialist to an OBGYN I loved the fast pace working environment and variety of the PAs I shadowed. At one place, I met a PA that had switched from an infectious disease specialist to a concussion care specialist. She talked about the flexibility of being a PA and how PA’s could change fields with ease and I realized I wanted that. Having the ability to change fields as I personally adapted is incredibly appealing to me because choosing a career was hard enough. I also shadowed at an OBGYN, a rare place to find a PA. NAME OF PA-C discussed how much she loved being a PA. While she got to treat completely independently whenever she had a question, she could quickly ask one of the doctors she was working with. She also joked that while doctors understand the why and how, PA’s understand how to treat it. Besides taking time out of her busy day to explain things simply to me, she did an amazing job of explaining it to her patients. She made them all feel calm and relaxed, and even spent her lunch break calling even more patients.
To gain more and a variety of clinical experience, I have decided to enhance my knowledge by completing an intraoperative neuromonitoring certificate. This certificate will allow me to work directly in an operating room, see patients, and give valuable input to the surgeons on hand regarding patient’s wellbeing while under general anesthesia. While it is a good start, to breaking into the medical field, I ultimately want to be a PA so that instead of just watching the action from the sidelines, I want to be part of the action.
n says
I was wondering if including specific conversations was a good idea in PA school essays or if it is better to be vague.
Caitlyn Horgan says
I’ve tried working this essay to get it down to the 5,000 character count but I am still 450 characters over! If anyone can deliver me any advice in where I can cut some of my essay I would be so appreciative!
I stand at the top of the mountain and outstretch my arms, allowing my lungs to fill and burn with the icy Vermont air and then let gravity take me forward, carving my skis across the mountain face. This feeling of exhilaration is one that is hardly replicated; except for in the OR. The first time I followed a surgical PA into OR 1, I had this same exciting butterfly feeling in my stomach. I didn’t shudder as the surgeon made that first cut; I moved closer and observed every delicate movement, asking questions of him and the PA while they effortlessly played off one another in helping to set the broken wrist and place the pins, finally closing the incision. The addictive energy I received in watching the OR staff ensured me that this was something I was ready to pursue.
From early on in childhood I knew I would play a part in medicine. After having my oldest cousin live with my family while completing his internship at Hackensack University Hospital and helping him study for the boards at just 10 years old, the family was convinced I would be an anesthesiologist like him. Years passed without much thought given to my future, only to find myself rudely awakened to my undeniable entrance into medicine. As I entered my junior year of high school one of my best friends, Mike, had a relapse in the Leukemia he had beaten years prior. Not one to stand on the sidelines, I fought with Mike through it all. I organized fundraisers for treatments, and collected donations. I smiled through prayer services I organized with the local church and hot glued orange ribbons for his massive amounts of supporters. But two weeks after Christmas, when Mike succumbed to his disease, I could no longer muster the energy or will to smile. I was mad at the doctors for not saving him. I was mad at the donor marrow which his body rejected. I was mad at myself for not being able to do more. It wasn’t until months later, sitting in my AP Biology class that I listened to a lecture on the human body and modern medicine and let myself smile again at the prospect of entering the medical world myself, with the determination to reverse the death sentence cancer and disease placed on the lives of innocents.
Throughout my time as an undergrad I had various experiences that helped to solidify my anticipated future. Interning at Gentiva Hospice allowed me to see death as inevitable but also the importance of palliative care. Participating in a Mission trip to the Dominican Republic highlighted the need for global public health and aide for those stuck in poverty and unable to access healthcare, inspiring me to take part in this movement. Volunteering at the local Ronald McDonald House twice a month, I learned from all of the fun we had with children who were sick beyond what we could imagine: they are resilient. No matter how ill these children were, a smile could be found on their faces. But aside from these Friday night visits, international excursions, and filing DNRs, I had the most unique opportunity to work as a medical scribe for a Cardiologist and Breast Specialty Care office. Working primarily in an office that dealt with breast cancer detection and treatment provided me with an invaluable experience in patient bedside manner, women’s health, surgical and sterilization techniques, and how to deliver a diagnosis with grace and empathy while simultaneously bringing peace of mind to a patient with a confident and concise treatment plan. However, the most rewarding part of this year long venture was seeing one of my first patients through her whole treatment. Throughout her disease I watched her talk options with the surgeon, break down and find solace with our PA, and I happily reported in her chart that after a mastectomy, one round of Herceptin treatment, four rounds of chemotherapy and three months of radiation, Diane was NED (no evidence of disease). As a scribe I saw the difference between surgeon and PA. While I did seriously consider pursuing a surgical career, I could not ignore the relationships the PA had with each patient she came into contact with.
Not many people enter college knowing what they want to do with the rest of their life, but ever since that pivotal moment in AP Biology, and all of my subsequent experiences, I knew I wanted to be a physician assistant. Why not go the extra mile and become a doctor? I was constantly questioned about my desired career choice by family and friends, and I often stopped and wondered myself if I should pursue medical school instead. But time and time again I was reminded why I always smiled when talking about my future as a PA. I want to be autonomous in my career—to diagnose and treat patients on my own without staff management taking away from patient care. I want the fluidity to move around different specialties because I was provided with the knowledge and skill set for so many. I crave that personal bond between provider and patient that I saw present when shadowing a PA. I thrive on the team mentality I learned from being a three sport athlete my whole life, to work hard with my fellow physicians, nurses and technicians. I want to come home from work smiling, without even feeling as if its work. I want to enter the exam room, the surgical suite, or the trauma wing as if I was on the precipice of the mountain. I want to expertly navigate my career with that familiar exhilaration every single day. As a PA, this is all possible for me.
Marlene Keymolen says
Hello and thank you for taking the time to review my essay. I interviewed at 2 programs last year using this statement and was waitlisted on a “low wait list” in one of those programs. I’m hoping to strengthen my essay. I have a 3.0 which may not be too competitive considering all of the strong candidates. I do have over 9000 hours as a medical assistant and now as a clinical research coordinator working in neurology, I do not have much experience with volunteer work. I am an older applicant (31) and have been working all of my life so volunteering many hours is sometimes very difficult as I have a full time job. Hoping I can at least get some feedback and improve my application via my personal statement. Thank you.
Being different, speaking differently and having parents with an accent have strengthened me to overcome other obstacles. The chances of me being a physician assistant (PA) I thought were minimal because I am different from most applicants. However, after overcoming language barriers, cultural boundaries and statistics I know I am well prepared for the field of medicine. My life experiences have developed strong interpersonal skills that will be a substantial asset to me as a PA working with diversity.
I have always thought of my life as being normal and average. It was not until I looked back at my childhood that I recalled my life being quite the opposite. My home life was unique in the sense that my parents and I are immigrants of Mexico. I was born in Mexico City and attended school there until age seven. As a result I am able to read, write, and speak Spanish fluently. My mother remarried and we immigrated to the United States. She was a nurse in Mexico and my new father only reached the ninth grade. Thus, education is something they always strive to inculcate. I learned English quickly and continued to speak Spanish at home in an effort to retain my first language and to make my mother feel among family. She left her career, language and life to provide a better future. Once I learned English, the memories of the difficult journey and struggles faded.
There were many turning points that strengthened my interest to become a PA. As the odds of getting pregnant or dropping out of school grew greater with age based on the common belief; life became more difficult for me. I was reminded of the humble upbringing that made me responsible enough to excel in my education and career choice. My father said he had no inheritance to leave me if he passed away, all he could give me was an education. He gave me motivation to reach my goals. My mind was set on the college path to medicine and I became a realtor as a means of paying for my education. In 2009 I was unhappy and began to question my life choices. My father became ill with a severe case of diverticulitis. During surgery his bladder was pierced and the physicians were unaware. He was hospitalized longer than expected. His loss of income required I work overtime. Finally on the day my father returned home I fell asleep at the wheel and crashed. The next day I woke up to a message on my phone that I had been laid off my job. I was submerged in this overwhelming feeling of failure and defeat.
After reassessing my life, making a change was necessary. I began medical assistant (MA) certification classes in preparation for the medical field. In school I could not seem to get a break. As a classmate practices glucose testing my glucometer read 436. The first thing I said was, mine is broken. I finally begin to see my future within reach and I get diagnosed with diabetes. Being blindsided by my new illness, I am clueless as to how I acquired it or how to treat it. As a minority I am a product of the ignorance of my culture. I grew up believing that diabetes developed after experiencing a shock. My grandmother said I acquired it after my car accident and my father’s close call with death. I realized that I needed to continue my education so that I could better educate myself, my family and my community.
As a PA I can have a close relationship with my patients and directly educate and influence people because I am culturally diverse. There is a feeling of compassion that I share with people because perhaps we are more similar than they imagine. An effective PA excels in creating rapport with patients in collaboration with technical ability and medical knowledge. I want the opportunity to create rapport with the Spanish speaking community and other diverse groups. People that have an unorthodox etiology of disease instilled throughout their lives by the culture they were born into. People like me.
I have two jobs; I am a scribe and medical assistant. One of the most valuable aspects of my life experiences is the opportunity to work for outstanding providers. They are accurate with medical information and sympathetic in dealing with others. Two such individuals include my mentor Dr. Gaskins and the other, a PA with whom I currently work. She is energetic, personable but above all, professional. She treats me, gives me the tools to improve my health, and the opportunity to learn from her.
Sometimes a person experiences one significant event which changes her outlook and life. For me there were many. The possibility of losing my father, my vehicle accident, and my diabetes all left me with a greater appreciation of life but most importantly encouragement. Encouragement to help and inspire others like I am inspired. Accomplishing this justifies that all of the hard work, struggle and sacrifice are not in vain. This is my calling and I am passionate about achieving my goal. I not only want this, I need this, and I am confident I will transcend adversity.
Emily H says
I remember this memory vividly. It was a normal, cold November night back in 2012. My sister and I were watching TV in our living room, when my mom came home very upset. After my mother gathered her thoughts, she told my sister and I that my grandmother was taken to the hospital. She was diagnosed with pneumonia at the time. Her body was fighting a massive infection that was losing. After just a short few hours, my grandmother’s organs were shutting down and she needed a breathing machine to keep her alive. The doctors taking care of her informed my family that she had less than a 10% chance of surviving. Numerous IV medications were administered to save her, but nothing was working. She continued to get worse. My family was distraught, but we never lost hope. In a final attempt and last resort, a Physician Assistant, who happened to be my aunt, brought up the suggestion of trying a drug called vancomycin. This drug is not often used early in treatment due to the aftermath of symptoms it can cause, but it was my grandmother’s last chance. Her body was failing her. After 15 days on life support, trying many medications, and so close to death, her body was finally getting better and recovering. If my aunt had not suggested the use of vancomycin, my grandmother would not be alive today. This event in my life honestly opened my eyes. It was relieving to see my grandmother survive, but staggering to see that a PA, nonetheless my aunt, was the one who suggested this life saving drug. Ultimately, from that day on, I became more and more interested in the Physician Assistant career. I want nothing else more in life than to have the potential to become a medical professional that could provide hope and have the ability to save lives.
I began asking my aunt many questions regarding her career choice and how I could become a PA. I have learned that Physician Assistants must excel in rigorous and challenging training therefore acquiring an extensive skill set during their education. They have a great deal of responsibility and make vital decisions in patient care. My greatest draw to this profession is that it is an extremely versatile career path to take. Physician Assistants are able to specialize and work in many different areas of medicine. They have the ability to perform a wide variety of skills and can work in a multitude of atmospheres from delivering babies, or performing cardiothoracic surgery, to working in family/general practice. But most of all, Physician Assistant’s are just people who use their knowledge to help other people improve the quality of their lives.
I am qualified to pursue the Physician Assistant professional degree at this college for a multitude of reasons. One of these qualifications is that I am hard working and display strong empathy. My aunt is a D’Youville graduate from the Physician Assistant program. I watched her go through the rigorous training that the program requires of you, and I know the amount of dedication and passion that it takes to excel. I have it. Not only did I see the hard work and sacrifices she made, but I saw the benefits from her choice in becoming a medical professional not only to her, but also her patients, in addition to saving my grandmother’s life. I listen to her experiences and can see the pride she takes away from the job that she performs. Patients often thank her for educating them about their health problems and would also note how often Physicians could not always take the time to explain thoroughly what they were going through, since they did not have the time allotted per patient. Maya Angelou once said, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” I want to be that person for my patients and want to give them their quality time that a Physician Assistant has the power to do.
While in clinical settings, I have spoken and have shadowed several Physician Assistants about why they chose this career over becoming a physician. Several answered how nice it was to have a physician above them to turn to in case they had questions. They also talked about how enjoyable it was to work with all ages. As a mid level provider, you have the opportunity to work and build close bonds with many families. I possess strong leadership, sound communication skills, patience, determination, and the ability to absorb the never ending cycle of constant learning. I am also certified in CPR/First Aid/AED and Narcan currently. I have the ability to excel academically whereas I work extremely hard in all I do. My grades do not define me as I have the motivation and drive it takes to accomplish the rigorous training that becoming a Physician Assistant takes. Giving up is not an option in my book. I display a strong work ethic, and always try to be the best I can be.
I used many resources when researching what it means to be a Physician Assistant. My most valuable resource was my aunt who recently became a PA in 2013. In addition, I have referenced the internet for information and have joined the D’Youville College Physician Assistant club. Throughout my research, I came across the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The website noted that in March of 2010, President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law, and health reform was passed. As health care was expanded, millions of Americans have become, and will continue to become insured as time goes on, and the need for mid-level health care providers, such as Physician Assistants, are in an all-time demand. PA’s are an essential part of the solution to the shortage of primary health care provider. My goal is to become part of the solution; to make a difference. Through these many resources, I found the Physician Assistant profession to be unique from other healthcare professions. The Physician and the Physician Assistant have a unique relationship that is not found elsewhere in medicine.
By becoming a PA, you are signing up for a career that will not only teach you life lessons, new experiences, and unending knowledge, but it will teach you the precious gift of life. Being a Physician Assistant is a lifelong learning career. It gives you the opportunity to work with different types of people throughout your journey in the medical field. This is the career I know I can thrive at, the career I want to pursue.
Have you ever wanted something so badly that your entire body, soul, and mind ache and long for this desire? To want something so strongly that it’s all you think about day in and day out because you have a goal to achieve. I have a goal to achieve. This gets me up in the morning! I won’t stop until I make it! The long, late nights staying up studying because you know this will allow you to stand out and will show in your grades. These long days and nights will give you the knowledge to succeed. The driving force behind missing out on social gatherings, family events, and even weekend getaways so you have more time to study and learn so you are prepared for your future. In 2015, I received the fateful letter that I did not make it into the Physician Assistant program class of 2020. Feeling your heart sink into your chest as you slip into a reflective state, trying to figure out why you didn’t make it. Feeling so very close to accomplishing your goal of making it into the PA program as if you could taste and touch it, but having it slip through your fingers is devastating. Wanting something so badly that when you talk about it you can’t help but radiate a smile and even get choked up because this is your dream, this is all you want. I realized that I needed to do more and see more if I was going to make it into this competitive program. The intense program that challenges everyone.
Over the past year, I have been volunteering at Autumn View Nursing Home and Hospice. I have experienced things some people don’t get to experience in their lifetime. I have many older patients that I provide care for, and also have a young girl who is a patient of mine at Hospice. Through conversing with her and seeing her daily struggles, she confided in me that I was helping her live a better life in ways I didn’t even know I was doing. There is a sense of pride and gratification knowing that what you’re doing is affecting other individuals in a positive way. I have seen pain and sorrow but I have also seen happiness, repentance, and peace. I have watched someone take their last breath. I realized that every thought that person ever had, every emotion they have ever felt, and every memory ever recorded and lived throughout their entire life was slowly slipping away from them as they just laid there in comfort, and peacefully left this earth. In that moment, I realized the importance of life; that life is short and when I go to take my last breath, I want to be at peace with the fulfilled life that I lived. It is humbling to be able to be in the presence of someone who’s time has come to an end and to say farewell. This is something you don’t forget. A memory stored and a new experience cherished.
Becoming a PA is my goal. It is the driving force behind everything I do. The reason I work so hard and sacrifice so much. I know what it’s going to take. I already have taken steps in preparing myself. I will face any challenge that comes my way and will do everything I can to become the best PA I can be; to never stop learning and to always keep an open mind. As Marguerite D’Youville always said, “We never refuse to serve”.
Looking back and thinking about my grandmother, my patients that I am fortunately able to care for, and constantly aiming to reach new heights reinforces my goal in life in becoming a Physician Assistant. As my grandfather says, “You’ve always been a PA…(pardon my language) but, a Pain in the Ass. Comedy is frequent in medicine, but I’d love to take on my own definition of being a PA. Everyone has a lifelong dream. Well, becoming a PA is mine.
Mark Twain once said, “The two most important days in your life are the day you’re born and the day you find out why”. I have finally found out why I am on this earth. I am ready for the next step in my life. I am ready to give the best care I know I can and am capable of. I am ready to give some grandchild their grandparent back.
I hope that you will grant me the opportunity to strive in the Physician Assistant Class of 2021. Thank you for your time, I sincerely appreciate it.
Kevin Nguyen says
I woke up one morning in my apartment to a call from my uncle, informing me that my mother was in Stanford Hospital. At that moment, I felt my heart sink. After years of treatments and multitudes of prescribed medications, I thought my mother was finally showing signs of recovery from her schizophrenia, but hearing this news was like moving back to square one. I drove to the hospital expecting the worst. When I arrived at my mother’s room, she wasn’t talking to herself or vacantly staring at the ceiling, she was sitting upright in her bed, talking to her doctor with a big smile on her face. I was elated. I approached the doctor and thanked him profusely for giving my mother another chance at a more normal life. This is why I want to be a physician assistant; I want to provide relief and to heal those who are suffering so that I can give hope to patients and their loved ones.
This memory continued to make a strong impression as I became more involved in healthcare. When I was working as a medical scribe at Pacific Alliance Medical Center, a patient was admitted, complaining of a fever and chronic, generalized pain. I followed the physician to the patient’s room and documented his findings as he was examining her. During the examination, I saw the patient wince and cringe as she sat up to let the doctor auscultate her breathing. She was incredibly uncomfortable and was in a lot of pain. I asked her for her history and she told me her long struggle with her disease, Familial Mediterranean Fever, which has also resulted in her depression. My heart reached out to her since not only was she suffering physically but mentally as well. As a scribe, I felt like I had very little power to help her. Despite that, I wanted to do whatever I could to make her stay even the slightest more comfortable. I asked her if there was anything else I could do for her and she requested for some water and medications for her insomnia. I immediately went to the physician and asked if he could order Ambien for her, and made sure if it was alright for her to drink fluids. I gave the patient her cup of water and when she took her first sip, she let out a cathartic sigh, as if all of her pain was simply relieved with this water.
Out of all the patients I have seen, I remember her the most because she made me feel like my actions made a difference. From this experience, I felt like I had something to offer to society. Listening to the patient’s story, diagnosing their problems, and formulating a plan to aid the patient’s recovery are all things I have seen during my time as a scribe as well as skills I look forward to acquiring as a physician assistant. In the end, I want to do all of these things for the sole purpose of sharing that feeling I felt at my mother’s bedside to all of my future patients.