The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

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1. shawn mccart says

   May 16, 2018 at 9:12 am

   It was hot. In fact, it was over 100 degrees. I was on a convoy in Afghanistan and my unit stopped in a small village. The last thing any of us wanted
   to do was get out of the air conditioned vehicle. A group of children heading toward our vehicles helped make our decision. We witnessed many
   difficult things throughout our time there, but this was not one of them. Seeing the children was always our favorite part of missions. They came to
   us because they knew they would get food (albeit military meals in a pouch), candy, and fresh water. For me it wasn’t about sharing food and
   supplies with the people, my enjoyment came from providing vital medical care for the children and their parents. As Navy Corpsman we are
   trained in combat medicine and advanced life support techniques, but we are also trained in routine family practice medicine as well. In one
   instance, I got to use my training to treat a little girl with blisters all over her feet. For another person, I removed an ingrown toe nail. I also tested
   their water in the village and provided other routine care that these people would never normally see. These simple acts made a world of difference
   for them and helped me find my purpose. This became my driving force behind achieving an advanced medical degree. I want to help patients that
   would not normally have access to the care I could provide. I have treated too many of the traumatic injuries that come with life in a combat zone
   but the most personally rewarding feeling comes from the simple acts of holding a child’s hand while providing comfort and aid to those that are in
   less fortunate areas. The diversity of patients I have seen and treated has boiled down to one thing, simply being there for someone in need; being
   the person willing to listen to the patient or the family members.
   This story is just a small description of the type of medicine I have learned during my 15 years as a Navy Corpsman. Over time, as a Navy Hospital
   Corpsman I have seen thousands of patients. Everything from combat injures from gunshot wounds to simple cough and colds. I have been an
   invaluable member of the health care team. I have practiced medicine in austere and remote conditions. I have had to learn to have “MacGuyver”
   like skills while treating these patients, using only what is on hand sometimes. As the years went by I started to realize that I crave a wider scope of
   practice; I want to be involved in the treatment plans of the patients I see, rather than merely following orders. I want to sit and talk with my
   patients in order to obtain an accurate history and build a connection with them. I want to have a wide foundation of knowledge and be able to have
   evidence-based approaches to caring for my patients. Last year I was assigned to a position where I learned Lean Six Sigma and process
   improvement. Lean Six Sigma has allowed me to see medicine from a different perspective. It has given me an opportunity to see how to improve
   patient care and how simple steps can go a long way in ensuring patients get the best care possible. I have worked on projects to help reduce wrong
   site surgeries and projects to improve BCA 1 testing. Working these projects has allowed me to see the importance of the Physician Assistant in the
   grand scheme of patient care. PAs are the ones that get to spend time with patients, they are able to learn about the patients’ health behavior, they
   learn vital information relating to their patients care; for instance why someone fails to test their blood sugar regularly. In many cases that we
   studied as part of our projects, older patients had many health challenges simply because of a lack of understanding. It required the team to ensure
   patients were fully educated on the processes of their healthcare. This is where a PA is a fundamental part of a health care team. The PA is able to
   listen, teach, and assist the patient. As a PA in the military I will be able to continue to build on the education I receive, while having continued
   access to first rate medical education, training, and experience. All of this combined will provide me with the diversity of experience I crave and will
   allow me to continue serving the medically under-served whether in a distant foreign land, or here at home.

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2. Danielle says

   May 16, 2018 at 8:41 am

   My love for the medical field began as a freshman in high school. After taking a sports medicine class, I fell in love with the workings of the human body and wanted to know more. As a high school athlete, I spend numerous hours in the athletic training room being treated for various injuries, but mainly to observe the work of the athletic trainers. I helped where I could, was able to watch the work they performed and even shadowed one in a physical therapy clinic. My senior year of high school I was able to participate in a health science class, learning more about anatomy and physiology, disease process, medical ethics, patient rights, medical terminology, advancement and trends in health care, and career exploration all while attending to different placements such as the emergency room or operating room to view the work of health care providers. The worked I viewed as a high school student confirmed my decision to pursue a career in the healthcare field, especially one in surgery.

   As a college student, I spent my time taking required classes for my athletic training major as well as medical school requirements. I also completed 20 hours a week in clinical rotations at various sports, both at the collegiate and high school level, tending to athletes injuries and illnesses. I had the opportunity to study abroad for two weeks learning Chinese medicine techniques and understanding the differences between their medical ways and ours. I was able to shadow a physician as well a viewing surgery and complete an internship at a physical therapy clinic.

   As my collegiate career came to an end, although the desire to become a physician and a surgeon was still present, I realized more school was not an option for me. So I continued with my career of athletic training and became the athletic trainer at a high level volleyball club caring for athletes of all ages working to play at the collegiate level. I spent time in the office as well performing clerical work with a physician, viewing various office visits related to musculoskeletal injuries, which allowed me to sharpen my skills as an athletic trainer. At the volleyball club, I saw injuries and illnesses ranging from a cut and a cold to ACL tears and a brain aneurysm. Seeing these injuries occur and having to pass them on to another health care provider for care sparked my interest again in continuing a path of school to become a physician assistant.

   Why PA and not physician? I realized I could perform essentially the same duties as a PA that a physician would but be able to start my career much sooner. I want to be able to care for injuries and illnesses that an athletic trainer wouldn’t be able to and do it as soon as possible. My desire to learn more about the body and health continues to increase as both my career and education continues. Although my GRE scores may not be the best, I believe all of my experiences and education so far have provided me with ample learning opportunities as well as the qualifications to attend PA school and become a physician assistant.

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3. Christina Workman says

   May 15, 2018 at 11:31 am

   As a first grader, it was difficult to walk into class with stitches surrounding my eye. I could not blame my classmates for their shocked expressions. It looked horrific. A dog attacked me a few days before, leaving me crippled with fear at the sight of even the smallest dog. The whole affair would have been far worse had I not received excellent care from the healthcare team at Egleston Hospital. Little-by-little my fears were eased as the surgeon explained to me in detail how he would aid in my recovery. This positive encounter with medicine at a young age encouraged me to enroll in the healthcare science pathway in high school and ultimately led me on a path to becoming a physician assistant.

   While the scars have faded over the years, the impact has not. I took the next steps toward a career in the healthcare field by attending the University of Georgia (UGA). My studies as an undergraduate amplified my interest in human anatomy and physiology, prompting me to take courses pertaining to microbiology, organic chemistry, nutrition, and even yoga. To my surprise, I enjoyed case study assignments that challenged me to think critically and devise a solution. Occasionally, these assignments required a group to complete, expanding my ability and interest to work as a team with a variety of people to accomplish the task. My education at UGA taught me how to adapt to a variety of work environments, communicate effectively, and solve complex problems. These tools will be essential for my success as a physician assistant and working as part of an interdisciplinary team to provide a patient with the best care.

   My undergraduate years were challenged by rigorous coursework and the need to financial support myself. To overcome this problem I found a job as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and medication aide that supported both my interest in healthcare and the need to pay my rent. The hours were long and I was unable to spend as much time on my studies as I would have liked, but by working this job I solidified my passion for patient care. I learned skills such as taking vitals, wound care, and passing medications. Beyond the basic skills, I learned how to calm an anxious patient, encourage independence, and provide emotional support. This position taught me the groundwork that will be vital when I am a physician assistant. I will incorporate these skills when evaluating and creating a plan of care for patients to ensure successful outcomes.

   To explore an alternate side of medicine I decided to attend graduate school to research and develop implantable biomedical devices that prevent infection. My colleagues and I worked together to publish translational research to improve catheters, grafts, and wound dressing designs. From bench top to bedside, I have witnessed the significance of our lab’s area of work as I watched a silver-incorporated dressing being applied over a newly sutured chest wound. It was inspiring to see the impact our research has on medicine. My time in graduate school also provided me with opportunities to mentor and teach. I welcomed questions from my undergraduate students and enjoyed demonstrating the knowledge that I had learned throughout my time at the university. I expect to continue a similar mentoring style with my patients as a physician assistant. Overall, my research experience has given me a deeper appreciation for the vast body of people that are behind the knowledge and technology that make up the healthcare field.

   Although I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to contribute to academia, I found myself missing the days that were filled with patient interactions. I began to seek shadowing hours with nurse practitioners, physician assistants and doctors to grow my understanding of the healthcare profession. I was afforded the pleasure of shadowing a physician assistant that was highly respected by the entire hospital community. Unlike others that I have shadowed, she truly mentored me. Rather than having me watch from afar she allowed me to examine patients alongside her. When she palpated an abdomen, I palpated an abdomen. When she auscultated a heart, I auscultated a heart. She perfectly explained the reason behind every action to her patients and myself. Her peers noted that what makes her outstanding at her job is that she works for the success of the entire cardiac surgery team, rather than her individual success. She is a shining example of what a physician assistant should be and the lessons she taught me I hope to one day embody in my own practice.

   My motivation for becoming a physician assistant has been fueled by my passion for people, wellbeing, science, and teaching. My goal in life is to do meaningful work, serve others, and always continue to learn. A career as a physician assistant will meet my desire to work autonomously and as a team to bring healing to others. I fully commit to achieving my goal and I am confident I will be an asset to your program.

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4. Emerson Lau says

   May 14, 2018 at 11:02 pm

   I got my first job at the Medical Corner, an urgent care clinic. I advanced from being a janitor to working in the back office and now working directly with Dr. Sussman. Dr. Sussman trained me to prepare the patient prior to his exam, check A1C, drug testing and conduct EKG testing. One evening, my training was put to the test. A female patient arrived at the clinic complaining of chest pain. Dr. Sussman began his examination and instructed me to obtain an EKG reading. The results of the EKG indicated that the patient needed to be admitted to the emergency room. I tried to stay calm, although I was having an adrenalin rush. This was my first emergency. I was instructed to call 911 and return to the patient until the paramedics arrived. My job was to keep her calm at the same time my mind was racing. What do I say? What do I do? Will I need to do two-man CPR? Fortunately, the ambulance arrived shortly. It was exhilarating to be an active part of the medical team.

   I had an accident in 2017 that was a blessing in disguise. During a basketball game last February, I collided full force with another player and sustained a pain wrenching ankle injury. As I tried to walk, I would feel an explosion of pain in my ankle. My friends drove to an urgent care where I was diagnosed as having a severe sprained ankle. They gave me a pair of crutches, ibuprofen and told to come back in a week if it doesn’t get better. I was referred to Reno Orthopedics and diagnosed with a bruised bone. I was given a calif high walking boot and referred to physical therapy and a MRI. My apartment is on the third floor and no elevator. I had to climb those stairs two times a day and walked to school every day. I was in excruciating throbbing pain at the end of the day I wanted so badly be able to walk again! My ordeal now became a game of mental toughness.

   I decided to return to Hawaii for a third opinion. I arrived in Honolulu and went directly to All Access Ortho an urgent care staffed with physician assistants.
   Adam spent over 30 minutes explain the cause of my condition, how to correct and prevent any further damage. He explained that the pain was caused by wearing an improper walking boot for an extended period. He switched me to an ankle boot, took my crutches away and said I would be back to normal in two weeks. After what I had gone through in the last three months it was hard to believe I would walk in two weeks. Yet, I was determined and believed in Adam. During my visit Adam he asked me what I was studying in college and I said I wanted to be a physician assistant and he extended an offer to have me shadow him for the summer. I jumped at the offer. Adam has over 20 years of experience in orthopedics with a specialty in orthopedic surgery. I was impressed with Adam’s depth of knowledge, professionalism and willingness to teach. My interaction with Adam comfirmed my decision to become a physician assistant. Through Adam’s mentoring, I experienced the respect physician assistance have in the medical profession and the potential of what I can be. I am ready to start my training as a physician assistant.

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5. Carla says

   May 14, 2018 at 2:14 pm

   Sliding down the tube slide in the local McDonalds playground, I felt free with no weight on my shoulders. As a child I had no idea the situation my family and I were actually in. My dad moved to Canada from Lebanon all alone at the age of 26 with no education and no more than twenty dollars in his pocket. The American dream was something he always dreamt of having for himself and his family and this was the first stepping-stone to his dream. He worked multiple jobs to try to provide for our family and yet we still ended up moving around and often staying in hotel rooms just to get by. My mom would take my sisters and I to the neighborhood McDonalds so that we could play because the area we lived in was not safe. It wasn’t until I was much older that I began to realize all the sacrifices my parents had made so that I could have the future they never thought was possible.

   My upbringing significantly influences my personal characteristics. Growing up in a first generation American household, I am forever grateful for all the sacrifices made so that I could have an education. Every day, my parents inspire me to work hard towards my goals while stressing the importance of always showing gratitude along the way. If my parents were able to come here and build a life out of nothing, then I feel like there isn’t anything I’m not capable of accomplishing. This serves as the moral foundation of my character and work ethic.

   When I was 17 years old I began having excruciating pelvic and back pain that seemed to never go away. This pain followed me into my first 3 years of college, causing me to miss classes and underperform. I spent 3 years in doctor’s offices trying to advocate for myself and constantly being told that I was fine and the pain was all in my head. I felt defeated and helpless until I met Michelle, who finally diagnosed me with endometriosis. I discovered that she was a physician assistant and became captivated by her sincere and comforting attitude —personality traits I both admired and to which I could relate. Though I was not fully aware of the role and responsibilities of a physician assistant, I was fascinated by the connection we formed throughout my treatment. I began doing research and was drawn to the versatility and cooperative role in the medical field that physician assistants play. My last 2 years of college became devoted to gaining experience and knowledge of the PA profession through education, research, work, and volunteering.

   My desire to become a physician assistant became was further fueled when I started working as a medical assistant at an urgent care. In my two years working as an MA, I learned many important clinical skills but I also learned the importance of being able to work as a team and communicate proficiently. Despite the amount of responsibility I had in my role as an MA, I was not able to ignore the limitations of the role. My desire in becoming a PA is to expand my field of medical knowledge in order to diagnose and create a course of treatment for patients.

   Medical research was unfamiliar to me until a year ago when I was approved at Wayne State University’s Medical School Anatomy and Cell Biology Research Lab as a student research assistant. My time in the lab reinforced my current belief that science and medicine are not constrained to classroom learning; they involve hands-on learning and constant challenging of traditions in order to make advancements. My experiences gave me a newfound appreciation for science while further developing my analytical and problem-solving skills. These skills can be applied in the PA profession because it focuses on evidence-based practice; by applying my acquired knowledge to analyze data and draw conclusions, I am able to provide the highest standard of care for future patients.

   My life experiences, education, and research and have prepared me for a path where I can combine my love for medicine and passion for helping others. Becoming a physician assistant, however, is so much more than the white coat and the title. It’s having the opportunity to explore all the different specialties and choices available in the palm of my hand. I have the freedom to choose and to further my education at any point in my career. I also want to be an advocate for those patients, like myself, who may not have anyone to advocate for them. I believe my diverse background, compassion, and clinical experiences will make me a successful physician assistant in underserved communities. Becoming a physician assistant will be turning my passion into my career and I don’t think there is anything more amazing than that.

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6. Caylynn says

   May 13, 2018 at 6:56 pm

   I remember the children’s blank but, seemingly frightened stares. I could hear their loud gossiping and see them point at me when I walked by. Unfortunately, this was a regular occurrence. I uneasily walked to the nurse’s office with blood pouring out of my nose. I sat down on the bed, closed my eyes, and the room went black. I was diagnosed, at birth, with Von Willebrand’s Disease. A blood disorder that effects my ability to coagulate. I recall spending a substantial amount of time with doctors or in a hospital during my childhood. Various health professionals always made me feel safe and would take the extra time to make sure I was truly cared for. It was during these visits that I vowed I would do the same for someone else one day.
   Up until my sophomore year of college, my doctors were able to keep my disease somewhat under control with medication. I soon began to feel very fatigued, my body was aching, and I could not focus on my studies. On top of my own medical problems, my father was diagnosed with cancer and my mother with two brain tumors. All the physical and mental stress subsequently led to substandard grades. I fought everyday to get out of bed and the stress of helping my family was overwhelming. I searched out help from various medical professionals about the way I was feeling but, there was only one that helped put my life back together.
   My hematologist finally solved my complex situation. I had iron deficiency anemia. But, I was fatally allergic to iron supplementation. Months and months of research and collaborations with an allergist, I was finally able to receive an iron infusion without having a reaction. Right away I felt like a new person. Although it was my final semester as an undergraduate, I persevered and was able to show an upward trend in my gpa. Throughout this medical hardship my hematologist was always there for me. He called me with weekly updates on any new research and to encourage me that we would find answers. Dr. H is the reason why I have not given up on my dream to become a physician assistant. He pushed me to do what I could to stay active and to be positive during my battle.
   I tried my hardest to focus on my studies and stay involved for my own escape. I joined the future health professionals club on campus which met monthly. There I was able to network with multiple graduate schools and many medical professionals. I eventually worked my way up to become vice president of the club. In that time, I was able to encourage the members to be more involved in the community. We held blood drives at our school, participated in the breast cancer walk on campus, and volunteered for Be Jersey Strong. As volunteers of Be Jersey Strong we educated uninsured individuals on health insurance.
   I also decided to join my university’s equestrian team for exercise, therapy, and support. I began volunteering for a horseback riding therapy program for children and adults with various disabilities. Through this program I was able to offer the same compassion and support my hematologist had offered me during my own health battle. I watched the families come in looking defeated, hoping this program would be able to give some relief to their loved ones. I saw the changes in each person young and old that this program had changed and their families now glowing with happiness.
   In the past year, I focused on bettering my health, education, and my medical experiences. I have begun a master’s program at John’s Hopkins University to prove I can excel in my science prerequisites. I had the opportunity of working as an emergency medical scribe and as a medical assistant in a neurological and neurodevelopmental office. As a medical scribe I was able to observe various physicians and physician assistants in an emergency room. During the patients visit I documented pertinent health information and observed various procedures such as suturing, foreign body removal, dislocation reduction, incision and drainage, central line placement, multiple codes, and conscious sedations. As a medical assistant I am responsible for taking the patients vitals prior to the start of their exam, reviewing the pertinent history with the physician, and writing an official report of the patient encounter that includes neuro-diagnostic testing to be completed and recommendations for counseling.
   By working in a medical setting, I have learned that I enjoy the atmosphere of interprofessionalism. I have personally experienced how a team of professionals can accomplish what seems impossible. From these experiences I have also expanded my knowledge of medical terminology, I learned the process of performing a physical exam including a full neurological exam, and I learned various steps to a differential diagnosis.
   From my life experience with medicine, I know that this is the place I belong. Since returning to school, I hope to put my mediocre gpa behind me and continue to excel. I will persist to demonstrate that I can handle the academic rigors of PA school despite my previous record. As a physician assistant I will practice with the same compassion and dedication to my patients that was once bestowed upon me.

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7. Julia says

   May 12, 2018 at 10:04 pm

   In the middle of a busy clinic day, a patient approached me and pulled out his license card out of his wallet. “Sir, I will call you in when it is your turn,” I replied. “Look,” he said, again pointing to his license, “I passed the test.” The patient had a big smile on his face and started to thank me for helping him. Within moments I knew exactly why the patient was showing off his license. This middle-aged man came to our clinic a few months ago for a complete eye exam and signature for his Department of Motor Vehicle paperwork. I was the medical assistant that performed all of his testing. He was an immigrant from Ukraine and spoke absolutely no English. With a corneal transplant in one eye and corneal edema in the fellow eye, his visual acuity was not good enough to pass the DMV eye exam. After using some eye drops for two weeks, the patient returned for another exam. His visual acuity improved but he struggled with the peripheral vision test. With his results, we would still be unable to sign his papers. The patient did not like my answer and pleaded for us to sign the papers regardless. He continued to explain that he has a wife and five children and is the only one in the household who can drive. Everyone is dependent on him. I knew exactly how he felt. My family too was entirely dependent on my father when we first came to the United States, and I know he would have wanted to do everything in his power to take care of his family. Feeling sympathetic and wanting to help as much as I could, I offered to re-do all of his tests and try to explain them again, hoping his performance will improve with another attempt. He did improve and we signed his DMV paperwork that day. That is why the patient was showing off his license card, proof that he passed his exam. Although he had a few driving restrictions, the patient was grateful for my patient and kindness. I felt accomplished that day; my actions brought so much joy into his life. Such feelings of profound satisfaction are the reason I want to become a physician assistant.
   As the first person in my entire family to attend a university, my first year at the University of California, Davis was not easy. In addition to learning how to study for rigorous college courses, I started volunteering at the pediatrics floor at the Sutter General Hospital. I spent most of my time interacting with children and occasionally helping the nurses. I began to notice that although nurses play a big role in patient care, they do not diagnose their patients. I wanted more, especially to be a part of the diagnostic side of patient care. Not having found what I was looking for during volunteering, I decided to explore the field of research. I secured a position as a student assistant at the Center of Comparative Medicine. Working alongside scientists to find the cure for HIV, I felt closer to where I wanted to be. I was doing hands on work in biological safety cabinets isolating peripheral blood mononuclear cells from simian tissue. I learned to manage my time in order to keep up with my classes and continue learning the challenging protocols for cell isolation. In addition, I enjoyed being a part of a collaborative work environment. Once a week we would have a meeting to discuss project details and I got an opportunity to be a part of that. We all worked together towards the same goal. But I also missed working with patients. I want a career where I will be immersed in a collaborative environment of healthcare professionals, meanwhile diagnosing and treating my patients. Even though this goal can be achieved working as a physician, as a first time mother I do not have the luxury to spend the next ten years of my life at medical school and residency. A career as a PA will allow me to fulfill my goal, meanwhile be there for my daughter as she is growing up.
   To further my understanding of a PA, I started shadowing Robert, an emergency medicine PA at Kaiser Permanente Hospital. I was impressed by his medical knowledge and expertise at diagnosing and treating patients. He was kind and patient with all of his patients, always listening to everything they have to say. In addition to asking them questions about their symptoms, he would inquire about their line of work and hobby’s. I learned that this makes patients feel more comfortable and safe, even when they are being seen for uncomfortable things such as pilonidal cysts. In addition to listening to the patients, he would allow the patient to have a say in their treatment plan. Instead of subjecting someone to a can scan, he would present all of the options to the patient and help them decide what is the best course of treatment. I too want to make my patients feel like they are part of the treatment. Furthermore, I learned that PAs are not alone. They can easily involve a physician’s voice for a second opinion. For instance, we saw a 5-year-old patient complaining of ongoing diarrhea for 7 days. Her x-ray showed an extended stomach full of air, unusually large for a 5-year-old. That is when the PA decided to get a second opinion from the physician. Together they decided that instead of subjecting a 5-year-old to a CT scan, they would order an ultrasound of her stomach and then decide on the course of treatment.
   As a team, both the PA and physician worked together to come up with a treatment plan that would be most beneficial to the patient. I want the challenge of diagnosing and treating patients, meanwhile giving my patients a say in their treatment.
   I think that I am well fitted for the role of a PA. From being the first graduate from a university, to working full time as a first time mother, I am more than capable of completing the challenging coursework to become a PA. I have learned to manage my time accordingly and will continue to do so if accepted into your program. I am interested in diagnostics and want to reap the rewards that come from successfully treating patients. Given the opportunity, I am confident I will be an asset to the profession.

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8. Steven Kurtz says

   May 11, 2018 at 12:55 pm

   When I was young, I would wake in the middle of the night and sneak into the living room to listen to my older brother and sister fantasize about running away and seeking out danger and excitement. My brother would construct elaborate tales of adventure and I would fidget with anticipation at what my eight-year-old mind thought was in the realm of possibility. To prepare for the journey, he had us grab one item we believed we could not live without. I would immediately rush to the medicine cabinet where I would retrieve a little green bottle of antiseptic. I knew from experience this bottle had the ability to provide instant relief and alleviate pain. The journey sounded dangerous and I wanted to be prepared to provide life-saving measures. The illogical reasoning may have escaped my inexperienced mind, but the importance of medicine and the ability to mitigate another person’s suffering was not lost upon me. I was a healer.
   My youthful naivety has disappeared, yet I continue down the path that will bring me closer to a life of alleviating suffering. With every new patient connection and experience, I gain a deeper appreciation and a renewed commitment toward a career as a physician assistant.
   It was in my third year as a therapy aide when I would meet a patient who would have a profound effect on my understanding of what it means to be an empathetic provider. I stopped by her room to introduce myself as a member of her rehabilitation team. She was confined to her wheelchair-restrained by an unforgiving limitation-yet she had an exuberant personality that transcended her physical impairments. She gave me a vibrant smile and immediately pulled me in for a hug as if we had known each other for years. Her smile remained, even as we discussed the terminal brain cancer that had brought her to me. She was participating in therapy to become strong enough to take one final cruise with her husband. With determination on her face, she grabbed my hand, looked me in the eyes, and promised she would work as hard as she could to make it a reality.
   The patient and I had been working together for three weeks. In one particular session, she was hard at work on strengthening exercises. It had been a trying day for her and I could see a small disruption in her unyielding resolve. She was attempting a straight leg raise when she cried out and dropped her leg back to the mat. “I don’t think I can do this!” she exclaimed. Tears were streaming down and I could see the first sign of defeat flash across her face. She was mere days from discharge and each day would be crucial if she was to be strong enough to travel. It was in that moment I climbed onto the mat, laid down beside her, and grabbed her hand. I reminded her of the promise she had made on her first day and of the goal she has been working so diligently toward. Then I simply let her know I believed in her. She smiled, wiped her tears away, and side-by-side we finished the exercises together.
   This patient gave me an incredible gift. She showed me what is means to be strong in the face of adversity and now I have seen the power of empathy in practice. She would unknowingly send me down a path to discover a medical specialty that would allow me to take an empathetic and holistic approach to healthcare.
   It would be through managing a free medical clinic that I would find the holistic approach to medicine I had been searching for. I began serving with a physician assistant. Despite not specializing in rural health, Rick demonstrated dedication to serving underprivileged and uninsured individuals within the community. Patients presented to the clinic at their most vulnerable and Rick gained their trust by always kneeling, actively listening, and never interrupting as they told their complete story. He would often ask his patients, “What else is on your mind?” This question would cause a moment of surprise as the patient had never been asked this before. In order to provide exceptional care, patients needed to know they were being heard and understood. Rick sought to positively impact his patients and was an advocate for providing them with access to community resources. His altruistic perspective on medicine resonated with me and I knew I had discovered the specialty that would allow me to live every day cultivating meaningful patient connections.
   The journey to PA school has truly been the adventure I desired as a child. Experience has been my greatest teacher and has taught me how essential it is to foster genuine relationships and to approach patient care holistically. It is because of these past experiences that I hold strongly to the ideals of an eight-year-old boy whose only goal was to alleviate pain and suffering. They serve as the continuous driving force behind my motivation to become a physician assistant. It is as a PA that I can hope to continue developing unique patient relationships and stay true to my commitment of becoming a humanistic clinician.

   This is an amazing service and thank you for providing it!

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9. Tyler says

   May 7, 2018 at 1:17 pm

   A cringe-evoking shatter. A brief silence. Then chaos breaks out. I turn to see my sister, her face an ashen mosaic of shock and fear. One of her legs straddles the sill of the window framing our doorway, the grocery bag she was carrying no longer clutched in her hands as her leg begins to bleed. Seconds later, we’re swept into the car and driving to the hospital. I compress my sister’s gashes, only wishing I could do more. When we pull up, we’re immediately whisked away from the waiting room and an emergency room physician assistant takes control. He assures my mother and sister that everything is going to be okay. You have to understand, in my household, where Greeks and Italians vie for loudest voice, when someone can command a room without raising a decibel you take notice. He didn’t know who we were, and it didn’t matter to him, his main goal was to help my hysterical sister. This was the moment I knew. I wanted to be in healthcare.

   Beep. Beep. Beep. Sitting in my father’s room as he rests, all I hear is the sound of the monitors tracking his vitals. He has finally returned from surgery and we have just learned minutes earlier that he was almost lost on the table. He flat-lined during what was supposed to be a routine procedure due to a misdiagnosis. As I wait for him to wake, I reflect on how differently this day could have been had someone caught his diagnosis sooner. I’m feeling frustrated and desolate but most of all helpless. My thoughts wander to the other hospital rooms, how many other desperate faces stare pleadingly at their loved ones. Wondering what they can do, will they wake up, and knowing nothing other than what they’ve been told. Not knowing is what’s killing me, and even more so not being able to reassure my sister with even a semblance of knowledge to back it up. I promise myself at this point to make sure I never feel this way again; for the second time I feel I’ve let my sister down, but for the first time I feel like I’ve let myself down. This was the moment I knew, when I became a PA, I would work so that no one else need endure this feeling.

   The PA profession was created to help those in the direst of needs, those with more battles than most. Working in a PT clinic as an aide alongside PTs, PAs and doctors I see the importance of quality care from all sides- patients whose insurances are running out and need to make the most of the limited care they’re afforded. This is outlined by the nebulous future of healthcare coverage in our nation, an issue I deal with firsthand every day as some patients decide to discontinue therapy to save for the future. I want to be able to help these same communities, people who may come from a lower socioeconomic environment. As a PA, I would have the capability to choose from a number of specialties in order to optimize my caregiving. After shadowing a PA, Dr. Van Nguyen, for some time, my experience solidified my resolve to become a PA. The combination of flexibility, required personal skills, and an extensive knowledge of the sciences, a subject I’ve always found intriguing, is why the PA profession is so alluring. The profession, I witnessed, is unique in that aside from a dedication to healthcare, a provider needs compassion and interpersonal skills, an inherent need to keep those you care after safe and comfortable. Many of the patients I sat in on were first time injuries and had no idea how to help themselves. In one such encounter, Dr. Nguyen walked a fresh ACL patient, Erica, through all the steps of her recovery plan with a patience and practiced knowledge to ensure that even though this may have been the lowest point in her life so far, it wasn’t time to despair. Erica went on to compete in collegiate soccer after her completed plan of care. I was amazed that Dr. Nguyen was able to navigate and motivate his patient throughout her recovery, making sure she fulfilled her future goals.

   Around the time I was set to begin college, my parents filed for divorce in a long and trying process that lasted the proceeding eight years. I lacked foresight as a teenager and allowed the situation to affect my grades and myself. My most recent studies are a reflection of the type of academic I am and continue to aspire to be: a focused student with a realized purpose and a thirst for more. In the last couple of years I have dedicated both my time and resources to taking classes, while working full-time at a physical therapy clinic as a PT aide, to reach my goal of becoming a physician assistant. My time as a PT aide has helped me hone my bedside manner and interpersonal skills, my recent studies have sharpened my knowledge base of the sciences, and juggling the two has helped me appreciate the art of time management. I think the PA profession will help me combine all of these skills I’ve obtained. To reassure a sister everything is going to be fine, help a father continue raising his family, or ensure an underserved community gets the treatment they deserve.

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10. Beth Appiah says

    May 7, 2018 at 10:09 am

    The sun has just begun to peak through the window and yet it’s warm rays could not thaw the chill of this hospital waiting room. In the distant hallway I heard people rushing and speaking in hushed tones and over the public address system I heard the numbing words that still repeat in my head today, “STAT to the Cath Lab”. My mother and siblings were sitting next to me, clutching each other and silently crying. A man in a white jacket and disheveled scrubs walked into the room. His head was bowed and he paused in the doorway for what seemed like an eternity. At last he lifted his head, and his blood shot eyes and wrinkled brow confirmed the unimaginable. Slowly he began to shake his head, and said, “I am so sorry. We tried everything we could.” My mother broke down in tears, and I felt a shock resonate through my entire body. At the young age of 14, I had lost my father, suddenly and un-expectantly. It would be months later before I would reflect on the events surrounding my father’s death. An undiagnosed cardiac condition, a small town with only an on-call cardiology team, these are just a few of the factors that may or may not have played a role in what happened that fateful day. Location, and lack of resources may not have affected the outcome, but the what ifs still haunt me today. To find answers, I read and researched extensively on the cause of my father’s death, and became passionate about health education. One college degree and years of research later, the pieces began to fall into place, and I knew I wanted to pursue a role in rural healthcare. I felt in some way it would also be honoring my father’s memory. It would be many years, and a few career changes later before I would discover my specific role in medicine.

    In my effort to find a way to serve my community, I started volunteering at a local food shelter, homeless shelter and Boys and Girls club. I discovered that my fulfillment was intertwined with public service, and yet I longed for something more. My insatiable desire to serve needed to be bridled to my personal mission. To discover my role in medicine, I began to volunteer at local nursing homes and attained my license as a CNA. With compassion and care, I held the hands of those dying and provided care for the sick and suffering. Still today, I spend countless hours bathing, grooming, and providing incontinence care to residents. Some would call my tasks menial, but I by no means underestimate the value of my role and I consider this as the beginning of my passion to provide healthcare services in the capacity as a PA.

    As a CNA I continue to shadow my supervisors, PAs, and doctors to broaden my knowledge of a field in medicine. Every opportunity that I am allowed, I am making rounds with my supervising RN and learning how to perform tracheotomy suctioning, ensure proper ostomy bag placement, start IV bags, flush picc lines and many more procedures. Through time spent shadowing PAs, I have learned first-hand the vital role clinical experience plays in the role of a PA. During one shadowing experience, a patient came into the clinic with undiagnosed symptoms. The patient had severe muscle weakness and aches, high fever, rapid heart rate, shortness of breath and abnormally dark urine. After the PA performed the initial exam and recorded the patient’s health history we briefly stepped out. He asked me, based on the symptoms the patient was presenting what I would do next. I said, if the patient were mine, I would check his urine for the muscle protein, myoglobin. If it had not been for my clinical experience and direct care of an individual with Rhabdomyolysis I would not have known the symptoms this patient was presenting were indicative of this condition. I am extremely grateful for the vast experience I have had as a CNA, as I know it will positively impact my role as a PA.

    It has been my privilege to live and work as a CNA in mostly rural areas. Being a military wife and a mother, I have traveled and seen the differences your location can make on your quality of care due to lack of resources. By becoming a PA and serving in these rural communities, I want to unite with other providers to promote access to quality healthcare in underserved regions. I am married to an American Ghanaian, who grew up without running water and electricity, with access to medicine being a privilege not a right. During my service to our under- served rural population, I would like to travel with missionary organizations to his home town of Kumasi and provide medical assistance to clinics in these rural villages. I truly believe my service in healthcare should not be limited to my local community, but that I should make an effort to also leave a global footprint.
    Through my years of clinical experience, hours spent shadowing doctors and PAs, I know I will be able to continue to honor my father’s memory and have the greatest impact on my rural community through fulfilling my desire to become a PA.

    Reply

11. Katie M. says

    May 3, 2018 at 6:56 pm

    The day that I knew with 100% confidence that I wanted to be a PA was oddly one of the most challenging days I have faced in my entire life. I was working as a Patient Care Technician at a hospital in Dayton, Ohio. On this day, I was floated to another unit in the hospital that I had worked a few times, but was far more comfortable working on my home unit of orthopedics.
    When I went into a patient’s room, he said he needed to use the restroom. I went through the process I normally go through on the orthopedics unit: I retrieved his walker, helped him sit up in bed, and removed his nasal cannula from his nostrils. He got into the bathroom fine, but when we were walking back to bed, he seemed unsteady and was having difficulty staying in his walker. At that moment, the nurse walked in, and we realized that his oxygen saturations were dropping. She called a staff emergency, and others raced into the room to help the patient.
    I felt horrible, and was so mad at myself for not thinking more before taking the patient off his oxygen. It was something I was so accustomed to doing on my normal unit that I made the mistake of not even thinking twice. Because of me, the patient suffered, and to make things worse, his wife was in the room to see the whole thing, questioning if he was going to pull through.
    Getting the patient back to an ideal oxygen saturation took much longer than expected. He did not have any known pre-existing respiratory issues that would cause these complications, so the doctors suspected something may be wrong and sent him to the lab for some tests. A CT scan revealed that the patient had advanced stage lung cancer that had metastasized. The outlook was bleak. However, the nurse for that patient explained to me that the events that transpired earlier that day turned out to be somewhat of a blessing in disguise. Had the patient’s saturation levels not dropped like they did, those tests would not have been run, and they may have never caught his cancer.
    I went back into the patient’s room shortly thereafter to find that several family members had come to visit. I knew they heard the news I just did. I still felt horrible about what happened earlier that day, when his wife asked, “Were you the one that was in here earlier when he fell?” I sheepishly answered with a simple, “Yes,” terrified that she was mad at me for what happened. To my surprise, she turned to her family members and said, “This girl walked in here with the brightest smile on her face this morning. You could just tell she really loves medicine.” She went on to express how thankful she was for the care the whole team had provided to her husband that day, and thanked me personally for the compassion and enthusiasm I showed. I was stunned. I blamed myself for what this family went through, and yet here they were thanking me.
    Seeing the massive impact my actions as a healthcare professional had on not just the life of the patient, but on the lives of his loved ones, was something that was initially very difficult for me to wrap my mind around. I realized that even working as a nurse’s aide, I have peoples’ lives in my hands. And as I work my way up the ladder to become a PA, I will only gain more and more responsibility. I expected this to be something that would scare me away from the profession after witnessing all that can go wrong first hand. Yet, it only made me want to keep going.
    My mistake taught me a lot. It changed the way I approach new patients, but more importantly, it made me realize how important it is to show genuine care for people. Doing so gave this family comfort in an extremely difficult time. Seeing the good that I was able to do in this situation despite all the bad things that were going on meant a lot to me, and made me realize this is something I want to be able to do for the rest of my life.
    Incidentally, I found myself shadowing a PA just days after this incident. Her name was Tracy, and she worked in a general surgery operating room. I was able to see everything that I want to do as a PA through her. She comforted patients while in pre-op, was an integral member of the surgery, and eased everyone’s worries the moment she walked into the OR. Other members of the surgical team often said things similar to, “Oh perfect, Tracy’s here! We know we will have a great surgery now.” Watching her not only make a great impact on patients, but on her coworkers was something that really inspired me. She taught me so much that week, both about the surgeries themselves and also about what it takes to not only be a good PA, but a great one.
    I know that becoming a PA is not an easy road to travel down. I will be tested mentally, emotionally, and even perhaps physically in ways I would have never imagined. But I am extremely confident that my previous experiences have prepared me to handle whatever this career may throw at me. Juggling being a full time honors student while volunteering within my community and working to obtain patient care hours was certainly not easy. Every element of my preparation for PA school has challenged me, but I have learned to embrace those challenges, and tackle them head-on. While working towards my dream of being a PA has tested my limits, I have never once considered giving up. The reward felt from making a true difference in someone’s life, even in the slightest sense, is something that I have found to be worth any challenge I may face.

    Reply

12. Nicole says

    May 3, 2018 at 5:53 pm

    The first time I realized I was interested in science was my junior year of high school. My entire life, I had planned on working in journalism or as an editor because reading had always been a passion of mine. Science had never captured my interest but my junior year biology teacher changed my entire outlook on the subject. Where other teachers had always taught the subject in a dull and tedious manner, he was able to make it fun and exciting. Whether it was with field trips, dissections, entertaining experiments like making your own ice cream or just putting scientific concepts into real world terms that mattered to us as high school students, he roused my curiosity and turned my interests toward a more scientific career. I remember when I was presented with my first dissection in high school and how dismayed I was at the thought of dissecting an animal. However, finding out about the body and how it worked made me want to learn more about it. During my first attempt at graduating college, I did not have my priorities straight and was more concerned with socializing and working than I was with school. My socioeconomic status forced me to keep a full time job while trying to obtain an education. I lived in a household with a single mother and younger sister. My mother never attended college and always worked menial jobs to take care of us. The only way for us to keep up with finances was for me to contribute so I started working as soon as I was sixteen years old. During these years, my grades and classes were desultory as I changed majors and focused on things less important than academia. I lost sight of my goals and took a large break from 2010 to 2012. During this time, I had some minor health issues and was seeing a doctor somewhat regularly. One day as I was waiting in the lobby, the receptionist called me to the front to inform me that the doctor was unable to see me but her physician assistant was available. This was the first time I had ever heard of the occupation and as such I was nervous walking into the exam room. However, I was so impressed with PA Jennifer that I started looking into the profession. The first thing I noticed was how much more time she was able to spend with me and also how compassionate she was to my situation. I had been struggling with some physical health problems as well as depression and over the next few months she went above and beyond what I had expected from her. She always put me at ease, was honest about the situation while still being kind, and had genuine concern for her patients. One time when I was sick, she even reached out personally over the phone to check on me. I had thought about a career in medicine before this and my experiences with her sparked an interest in healthcare. I immediately went home and began researching what exactly it meant to be a physician assistant. There were several things I found out that I loved about the profession, from the extra time they are able to spend with patients to the flexibility of their specialties. I thought about my experiences in high school and decided that if I wanted to get my life together and work towards a career in healthcare, I needed to go back to school and speak with an advisor. I spoke to the pre-health advisor at the university who informed me I had a long road ahead of me if I wanted to work in healthcare and that road started with me raising my GPA. Starting in fall of 2014, I really started trying to turn my grades around. At this point, I wanted to retake as many classes as I could so I had a solid foundation for my academic career and a GPA high enough to try and reach my goal. Returning to school was not easy and I still struggled, especially with courses that involved a lot of mathematics. However, I knew that if I wanted to succeed on my chosen path I had to challenge myself and be capable of doing well in multiple courses simultaneously. I took advantage of every tutoring opportunity offered at school and paid a private tutor to help me with my classes involving math. My grades drastically improved during the years of 2014-2016 and since 2016 I have attended full time and not received any grade lower than an A. I hope that someone will look past the years that I fumbled through my classes and focus on the time and effort I put into raising my GPA. I have the work ethic, intelligence, and discipline to challenge myself academically and succeed. My grades in the last two years are a reflection of the motivated and capable student I truly am. Over the years, my advisor has suggested going to medical school, but I have never wanted to be a physician. I want to be able to spend time with my patients and actually get to know them, as PA Jennifer did for me. I also want to be able to work in different areas and not be fixed in a certain specialty. During this time, I also started volunteering in any free time I had and looking for a job in healthcare. I attended the Certified Nursing Assistant program at CSN over the summer and started working at a nursing and rehabilitation center in North Las Vegas. In order to get my healthcare hours, I had to again work while attending school but by this time I had learned enough life lessons to be able to handle the workload. I believe that starting late and being older than most was beneficial as I was more focused and able to prioritize. My time at the nursing home was probably one of the most memorable experiences I have had. Most of the residents were underprivileged which made the work that much more valuable to me since I have experienced what it is like to not be financially stable. I was able to work with physicians, a physician assistant, nurses, and other people in healthcare. Seeing the day to day workings of different healthcare professionals really shined a light on how it actually is to work with patients. Working as a CNA involved several different types of duties because I was handling the daily activities of residents but most importantly that position proved that I was capable of handling the difficult parts of working with patients. I saw many people pass away and worked with people who had a variety of behavioral and physical issues. I worked with a lot of hostile residents and had to learn how to develop a thicker skin around them. There was a large dementia unit at my facility and working with these residents was emotionally difficult but extremely rewarding. However, when I think back on my experiences working as a CNA these are not the highlights I remember. I experienced so many good times especially because I was able to assist with the activities department, helping the residents have fun by doing things like playing bingo or singing karaoke. I fondly remember dancing with one of the residents to her favorite Frank Sinatra songs. In my free time I did arts and crafts with residents who were unable to leave their rooms, making them jewelry or paintings to cheer them up. There were quite a few residents who could not read but one specifically always wanted to pray and read the bible. I would go to her room and read as much of it to her as I could. I don’t discount any of the experiences I had there but these are the ones that I will remember when I look back on what this position meant to me. There is so much more to working in healthcare than being knowledgeable or skilled in medicine and science. Many of the elderly in the facility had lived hard lives as most were impoverished and some were homeless. Being able to make them smile and laugh in a place that didn’t always feel like a home was very important to me. There were bad days and good days but I fell in love with many of the residents and leaving this position for school will break my heart a little. Although I worked with many healthcare professionals there was only one physician assistant working at the facility and she was not there very often. In order to see more of the day to day life of a physician assistant I started shadowing one working in primary care. Actually working in healthcare solidified my decision to work in the field but shadowing is what fortified my decision to work as a physician assistant. I was able to not only shadow PA Julio but the supervising physician as well. I sat in on appointments with both of them and again noted the differences in their care practices, especially how overloaded the doctor was with appointments while the physician assistant was able to spend more time with patients and build lasting relationships with them. Every time a patient came in, it was obvious that the physician assistant had these relationships by the way he knew details about their lives and inquired about their families. I look forward to providing this kind of care to my patients. He also seemed to be happier in his position and the profession of a PA seemed to be more fulfilling for him. I have specialties I am interested in but I look forward to being able to experience different areas of healthcare. I know that I have what it takes to succeed at being a PA and that this position will allow me to take pride and joy in my work while utilizing my skills and knowledge to enrich the lives of others. It has been a long journey to get to this point and it has not always been easy but despite the hurdles I have overcome, I am eager for the new challenges I will face on the road to become a PA.

    Reply

13. McKenna Foote says

    May 1, 2018 at 8:39 pm

    Hi just hoping to receive feedback on my personal statement draft! Any advice is appreciated!

    Throughout all my experiences in the health care setting I’ve always wished I were able to be of more help to those in need. Whether it was listening to a Toledo local’s plea to her oncologist for reconstructive surgery after a double mastectomy from breast cancer or being able to do nothing more than hold a crying baby withdrawing from opioids, I hated feeling helpless. This desire to serve others has driven my passion to continue my education in medicine. Out of all the career options that exist in health care, I have never questioned my decision to become a physician assistant (PA).

    My mother works in the health care industry and initially introduced me to the PA profession during my first year of college. I was intrigued by a PA’s ability to transfer specialties, unlike any other health care profession. Being able to work as a team with fellow PAs and physicians is something I highly value, as I grew up playing competitive team sports. As a PA I would have the ability to truly get to know my patients, their backgrounds, and their families to properly access and diagnosis the problem.

    Choosing a major in public health has given me a unique perspective on health care as a provider. I am not only able to see the immediate illness of the individual, but the social determinants of health in one’s given population that may result is said illness. Through public health I was able to intern at a hospital in the clinical informatics department exposing me to the administrative side of health care. I gained confidence interacting with new patients each day and recognize cultural competence and how to meet specialized needs. After speaking with countless patients I have heard many first hand accounts of health disparities that lead to health inequalities that are completely out of their control. Many patients were at the hospital seeking treatment for preventable illnesses simply because they lived too far from a hospital and could not receive medical attention soon enough. A career as a PA would offer me the abilities to further assist those rural patients in need. As my excitement for this career path has grown my dedication to my education has created an upward trending GPA as well.

    During my time shadowing Laurie Peterson PA-C, I was inspired by the way she developed relationships with her patients. The compassion and attention to detail she showed with each and every patient is something I hope to portray to my future patients. One patient in particular was an Ethiopian woman who was very confused about her diagnosis. Laurie took the time to pull up images and diagrams to better explain her illness in terms that the woman could fully comprehend. I witnessed collaboration with her physician colleagues that always resulted in a positive outcome. Her patients appreciated her so much that it wasn’t uncommon they would arrive with gifts of gratitude.

    I had the opportunity to study abroad with the Atlantis Project is Toledo, Spain volunteering in underserved communities while shadowing physicians at the local hospital in over seven different departments, including surgical. This experience exposed me to the realities of those with inadequate health care and further sparked my interest in being able to do more for my community.

    I have volunteered at a children’s hospital weekly throughout college while obtaining my degree taking over 30 units each year. Volunteering in pediatrics has given me a background in how to manage not only the patient but their families as well. I have been able to show compassion to worried mothers who simply want someone to vent to or provide assistance to nurses who need a hand restraining a scared little boy during an IV insertion. Although my experiences have not involved me treating patients personally, I have witnessed what it takes to be a successful health care professional.

    I am confident in my abilities to succeed in PA school. My undergrad degree in public health with a minor in psychology offers a proactive and insightful perspective on health care that will prove to be beneficial to patients. I am currently working as an emergency room technician to gain more hands-on patient care and will continue to do so until I have reached my dream of attending a PA program.
    I look forward to the day where I am given the opportunity to start feeling more impactful and less helpless.

    Reply

14. Esha says

    April 30, 2018 at 5:51 pm

    Each night after dinner was made, my grandma would begin cleaning the kitchen. As we did the dishes, she would ask me about my grades and how school was going; this was the time we would share our day with each other. She always wanted me to be successful and would tell me to become a doctor. Each day, as I rinsed off the last dish, she would turn off the faucet and say to me in her sweet broken English, “Thank you baby” as she gave a beaming smile. This smile always stuck with me even after she had passed away. I could tell she appreciated the time I took to help her and even though it was a quick task for me, to her it meant having company and someone to talk to.

    As my grandma had hoped for me, I went on to college with a goal of becoming a physician. I always had this goal in mind since I thought it was the only way I could combine my love for science and my passion for helping others. I began taking the prerequisites and involving in extracurriculars. It was during my research position at Stanford that I re-evaluated the my dream of becoming a physician. During the position, I had the opportunity to shadow a physician assistant (PA), Ovet, in the Bariatrics Department. He entered the patient’s room with a warm smile. He talked to the patient about her children and even noticed subtle differences about her, such as changes in her hair color since she was last there six months ago. Following the appointment, Ovet met with his supervising physician to discuss the treatment plan. Unfortunately, the physician did not know the patient as well as Ovet did, but rather only knew her as another medical record number.

    This conversation did not particularly stand out to me at the moment, however, as I begin to think about it more, it made me curious about the PA profession. The more I researched what it meant to become a PA, the more I found myself reconsidering if becoming a physician was right for me. After much consideration, I decided becoming a PA would be the best fit for me for several reasons. I was captivated by the dynamic collaboration between PAs and their supervising physician. Since physicians are unable to understand the full scope of their patients, being a PA would allow me to work autonomously and think critically, while also having the ability to think collectively with my supervising physician in order to provide the highest level of care for our patients. Additionally, I was appealed by the ability to change between specialities with much more ease than physicians could. This flexibility would allow me the opportunity to improve my patients’ mobility in orthopedics or their overall health in cardiology (OR This flexibility would allow me the opportunity to see a patient’s mobility progress after a knee surgery in orthopedics or see my patient return to active and healthier lifestyle after a heart surgery in cardiology). Ultimately, the main reason that drew me towards becoming a PA was because of the lasting relationships I would be able to form with my patients.

    The following summer, I got my Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) license and began working. The same appreciation and gratefulness my grandma showed me, was shown to me again by my patients. Mr. Buck had just been admitted the day before and I did not know him that well. The next day, his daughter and wife came in to visit him and tell him that his other daughter had passed away. After his daughter and wife left home, I went into his room to check on him. Mr. Buck said he was doing okay, but I could tell he was not. Even though I had only known him for less than a day, I could tell he felt alone. I got Mr. Buck up in his wheelchair and took him for a stroll around the facility. He told me about his daughter and how she had been struggling with cancer for several years. I took him to a less crowded part of the facility, stopped the wheelchair and knelt beside him. I had no idea of what he was going through- what it felt like to be alone, without family, and most of all, having your own child pass away. I had no words that could make the situation better, so I just knelt beside him, holding his hand. He looked at me and smiled with the same warm smile of my grandma and said “Thank you”. It almost felt as if my grandma was right there with me.

    Small moments such as holding someone’s hand without saying a word in a time of need or helping with dishes can be so trivial to us, but can make a lasting impact on those around us. I want to get to know my patients and create meaningful relationships that influence their lives long after they leave the medical office. I want to give my patients the same beaming smile my grandma and Mr. Buck gave me and let my patients know I appreciate them and they too impact my life.

    Reply

15. farya says

    April 30, 2018 at 2:19 pm

    Strolling across crowded hallways inside a public hospital in Pakistan, I witnessed several disease-stricken people of all ages waiting for a physician to hand them a prescription for a medicine that they can never afford. I came across several destitute mothers who were clutching their infants tightly whilst praying for their pain to miraculously disappear. It was during this time that I firsthand experienced the cruelty of class differences and healthcare based on affordability. The rooms at this hospital were available only for those who had money. Those who did not appear wealthy were simply asked to leave if they could not afford treatment. It appeared as if those who could not afford to live were left to die. During summer of the year 2013, I had the privilege to volunteer in one of the public hospitals in Karachi. This experience opened my eyes to much that is wrong and little that is right about the state of healthcare in Pakistan. I also witnessed some great work being done by altruistic individuals and groups, which gave me hope for the future and sparked an initial interest in me to want to do the same. Upon returning from my home country, I researched several careers in healthcare including the Physician Assistant (P.A.) profession. The idea that P.A.’s can work in a variety of specialties, practice independently while being part of a team, and develop personal relationships with patients appealed to my interests. I began shadowing at an urgent care facility to gain more insight about the P.A. profession.
    Fortunately, I was fated to meet several P.A.’s in varying specialties that reinforced my desire to pursue this profession. While shadowing at a family practice, I attended nursing home rounds with the P.A., an experience which allowed to build a stronger relationship with the P.A. During these rounds, I noticed how ecstatic those elderly group home patients would become when the P.A. visited them. They trusted her and shared their most personal stories with her as she performed examination and consoled them with hugs and presents. It was as though she was the main highlight of their day. Seeing how the P.A. interacted with elderly patients was one of the many experiences that strengthened my desire to pursue this profession. I was further motivated to choose this career after shadowing a P.A. in Cardiology. I admired her patient-centered and holistic lifestyle improving approach toward patient care which is why I decided to pursue teaching science as a minor in college. While training as a medical assistant, I gained hands on experiences and was able to to better gauge my confidence and abilities as I provided services. These experiences were remarkable, but I craved an even wider scope of practice; I wanted to be more involved in formulating treatment plans for the patients, rather than simply following orders.
    Several volunteering experiences during college solidified my desire and what I wanted to accomplish as a P.A. I volunteered at a no-cost health clinic for those who do not have health insurance. Here I interacted with physicians and P.A.s who offered free of cost services to the uninsured. I was able to act as a liasion between physicians and patients. Seeing practicing P.A.s providing free of cost services on the weekends to the working poor whose only option to seek medical serivces was this clinic solidified my desire to pursue this career as I would like to offer support for patients who cannot afford medicine or other medical devices.
    Nearly everyone who embarks into a medical profession carries the same compassion to help those in need. As I look to the future of this career, the ultimate rewarding experience will be to provide medical services to clinics that have limited resources and finances. I am eager to use the knowledge and skills obtained from P.A. school to take steps to improve preventative health measures, such as vaccinations, prenatal care, and health education in medically underserved areas. With healthcare costs rising at an exponential rate, I believe that this profession will be the intermediary source that patients will rely on to meet their most demanding medical needs. I am prepared to put forth the immense effort required to achieve this purpose. I am fully aware that matriculation and advancement through P.A. school is not an easy endeavor. Therefore, I do not plan to take this massive responsibility lightly. I perceive this profession as a direct extension of my own character, one of patience and dedication. I believe that this profession is the right choice for me as it describes my character and ambition in its entirety, and I whole-heartedly believe that one day I will make an exemplary healthcare provider.

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