The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

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1. Dominic Rubino says

   September 7, 2019 at 3:37 pm

   A single mother sits in her hectic work office and itches her left breast. She discovers a hard mass. Although she is scared, her first thought is her son’s well being. I remember sitting at home while my mother reported her diagnosis to me. Receiving this news left me empty. However, I made it my goal to stay composed and become her primary caretaker. Without a father or siblings, I felt overwhelmed as I managed the entirety of this role. My academics suffered, and I barely graduated high school. I lost sight of many self-interests. To find an outlet during this difficult time, I discovered a passion for weightlifting.
   Training my body to overcome significant amounts of weight was gratifying; moreover, it brought me solace. I started feeling more focused and less stressed. Furthermore, I set and accomplished goals, which built self-efficacy. With these changes, I was able to work on personal development once my mother completed chemotherapy. Although high school was unsuccessful, deep inside I yearned to pursue a higher education; especially since college degrees are rare in my family.
   I entered community college without direction. However, I had been a successful caretaker and weightlifter. Without a clear career goal, I used these factors to help choose a major—kinesiology. This field offered me the opportunity to provide care to individuals through resistance exercises as a physical therapist. Intrigued by this marriage, I became a physical therapy aide. In this position, I developed many patient relationships and affected some lives. For example, I worked with an older gentleman who had crippling depression, loss of kinesthetic sense in his feet, and extreme weakness. Using my experience as a caretaker, I was able to empathize with the patient and develop rapport. Achieving this allowed me to positively affect his mental state, which led to progression in his exercises. Although these patient interactions were rewarding, I felt like I was in the wrong setting.
   The surgical stories patients shared with me piqued me interest. I routinely envisioned myself participating in the operations and procedures they reported. Furthermore, often gave praise to the physician assistant monitoring their postoperative care. They mentioned that their PA was always prompt in answering their questions, which set their mind at ease during recovery. Hearing the effect PA’s had on patient care made me feel connected with this profession. After caring for my mother, I had made it my goal to help others feel comfortable in unnerving situations. The PA profession allowed me to fulfill this while engaging in the captivating procedures I had heard about. My realization of this perfect marriage motivated me to gain medical experience.
   As I began to explore medicine, I was drawn toward working with the underserved communities. I could relate with these populations. Growing up, my mother and I experienced poverty and sometimes homelessness; moreover, we did not have health insurance. These conditions are frightening, and I vividly remember that feeling. To work closely with these populations, I became a medical scribe in community clinics. Whether engaging with these patients on home visits or in clinic, I was able to empathize and develop a rapport. I had many patients open up about the difficulties they faced waiting five years for housing or being elderly and confined to small rooms with a shared bathroom down the hall. These circumstances compromise quality of life and increase the risk of health problems. This exposure further motivated me to become a PA, but I wanted to further understand how to help these individuals.
   To expand my knowledge of patient care, I pursued the opportunity to be integrated into an ambulatory capacity taskforce. Physicians, nurses, social workers, and lawyers collaborated to standardize a comprehensive, outpatient care plan for patients diagnosed with cognitive impairments. This was to address medical, social, and legal factors impacting patient rights and needs—available resources, end of life planning, and capacity. I was asked to record and summarize each meeting and performed chart review for 55 patients on the Curry Senior Center Dementia Registry. Through my involvement, I learned how to sift through and understand the complex web of legal and medical components involved in patient care. I hope to use the knowledge I gained through this experience to further impact patient care as a future PA.
   Through shadow and work experience, I have found a profession I am passionate about. I will be able to pursue the goals I have set for myself while helping those in need by advocating for better patient care in a variety of specialties. Until I have this opportunity, I will continue expanding my experience with different populations as a registered behavioral technician. I hope to share my passion for bettering the care of all patients with a medical team as a future PA.

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2. Libby says

   August 30, 2019 at 9:55 am

   Adjusting to a four year University was something I had to learn and extremely quickly after leaving my local community college. Due to financial hardships, I opted to commute to school while renting a home about an hour away from SUNY Cortland. In my first year at Cortland, I worked long hours while attempting to make ends meet which did not leave me enough time to study effectively. During my first semester, I withdrew from my first class which was devastating. I knew I had to refocus myself and finished the semester strong. I am unable to retake that course this semester with the other classes that are recommended. In spring 2019, I received a D in Ecology. This class proved to be challenging because it forced me to think in ways that I never had before. I had to step out of my human biology bubble. Because I did not get the grade I anticipated, this course is set for me to retake in the spring 2020 semester.

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3. Zemirah Delabruere says

   August 21, 2019 at 9:50 pm

   As I guided an elderly woman into one of our small rooms at the urgent care I worked at, I noticed she was clutching a piece of gauze over her left eye. As I sat her down on the exam table she began to peel the blood-soaked gauze off of her eye, swollen and inflamed, to reveal two deep lacerations: one on the outer corner of her eyelid and one below her eye. I offered her some fresh gauze as she started to explain how she and her husband were on vacation and taking a tour of a local museum when she slipped on a stair and struck her face. As I listened to her story, I felt empathy for her and wanted to do anything I could to ease her discomfort. Unfortunately, suturing was beyond my scope of practice as a radiologic technologist and medical assistant but I was eager to gather all the required supplies, ensure she was as comfortable as possible, and observe the healthcare provider carefully suture up her wounds. This experience speaks to one of the many opportunities I’ve had over the past fifteen months to observe the PA profession and is one of many that has strengthened
   my growing passion for this profession.
   My career in the healthcare field began five years ago when I accepted a position as a licensed nurse assistant at a nursing home in the rural village of Derby, VT. I was seventeen years old at the time and had no previous knowledge of healthcare due to my growing up in a sheltered religious commune that discouraged visits to doctors or any kind of outside interaction. Working as a licensed nurse assistant introduced me to the promising field of healthcare and facilitated the development of important patient care skills including compassion, patience, and empathy. I continued to build on these skills over the course of the subsequent three and a half years as a licensed nurse assistant and also learned the significance of teamwork and communication. However, one aspect of my job that I was not partial to as a licensed nurse assistant taking care of the elderly was the proximity of death and the grief that accompanied it. This is what eventually led me to pursue the career of a radiologic technologist, which I succeeded at and achieved a summa cum laude academic honor distinction upon graduation. Working two jobs as a radiologic technologist at a large hospital as well as at a small walk-in urgent care, where I also had the opportunity to perform tasks related to the role of a medical assistant, has given me a better idea of what providing comprehensive patient care entails. These experiences have nonetheless gotten me closer to where I want to be but I believe there is still room in this field for me to grow and obtain a higher level of knowledge and ability.
   The first time I learned of the PA profession was two years ago during one of my clinical rotations in interventional radiology as a radiologic technologist student. While closely observing the placement of a chest port by a healthcare professional who I assumed was a doctor, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that he was not a doctor but rather a PA. My interest was sparked even further when he told me he was a radiologic technologist prior to becoming a PA and this feeling of mutual achievement is what initially inspired my consideration of the PA profession.
   Throughout my experiences shadowing PAs and APRNs in the urgent care I worked at as well as in the emergency and general surgery departments in the hospital, one encounter that stood out to me was when a patient informed me he preferred to be seen by a PA rather than a doctor. I was surprised at first by his statement but when I asked him why, his answer made sense: “PAs are more thorough than doctors.” I saw how this statement could ring true in the sense of often limited time to spend with patients or inadequate interpersonal skills many doctors exhibit. The concept that PAs can make a positive difference in the lives of their patients by simply offering their time and making their patients feel heard is what validated my decision to become a PA.
   My journey in the healthcare field, which began five years ago when I left my family and the religious commune which I had called home for seventeen years of my life, has shown me that determination and hard work are the basis to achieving anything worthwhile. The ability to make a difference in peoples’ lives, whether it is simply being there to listen and provide emotional support or delivering a life-saving treatment, is an accomplishment I hope to achieve. My experiences over the course of this journey have taught me kindness, patience, empathy and, more importantly, how to be a team player in the delivery of patient care. I believe it is these skills that will make a great PA: possibly even a PA who will be preferred over a doctor.

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4. A. Bra says

   August 21, 2019 at 11:33 am

   Medical professionals have always made me feel safe,
   comfortable and as if they had my best interest at heart. Unlike many children,
   I enjoyed hospitals; the idea that they are meant to help people and each room
   housing a different person with a unique story. I distinctly remember being
   treated for some form of infection as a young child, most likely from biting my
   nails, being poked, prodded and injected by a myriad of items, all-the-while I
   still felt like it was for my good. The worst part of the entire ordeal was the
   wait. My mom had to explain to me that near our low-income public housing
   neighborhood there weren’t enough medical professionals. I understand why; the
   violence and crime were high, families were poor and regard for education was
   low. It was from instances like this, I knew I had to be involved.

   I directed my efforts toward getting emergency medicine
   certified in the form of an EMT, teaching high school sciences and coaching
   eager athletes. From these experiences, I have seen the effects of assisting
   those who need it most. These things, however enjoyable, rewarding and
   necessary, never have been quite enough for me. They have never quenched my
   desire to help people in a medical setting. Helping students with science and
   math as well as on the field has catapulted my drive and initiative to help
   individuals, this time outside of the classroom. It is from this that I have
   come to understand the duties and role of physician assistants. As a provider I
   can educate others, with thanks given to my background as a teacher, to finally
   get a sense of fulfillment.

   I have been in close relation to multiple physician
   assistants. A college teammate of mine is a physician’s assistant and my last
   two primary care providers are both in the profession. What I love about each
   is that they were able to make connections, give me insight and advise me that
   this career is perfect for me. The freedom to practice under the supervision of
   a skilled, supportive physician to foster a collaborative environment reminds
   me of any successful team that I have been a part of. I am also intrigued by
   the option of lateral mobility within the profession, as I am invested in
   multiple facets of medicine; such as orthopedics, surgical and emergency
   medicine.

   I make students, athletes, and patients feel heard as if
   they matter; they all do. I take notes and jot down important bits of
   information all while making meaningful eye contact. I find ways to make a
   connection whether it be myself, a friend or a family member I know in a
   similar situation. Finally, I take these pieces of the individual and share
   them with those that can help and let the individual know I will do whatever in
   my power to better their situation.

   Around the age of 12, I was an avid fan of the show Trauma:
   Life in the ER. I remember being mesmerized by what I was seeing, the various
   medical emergencies occurring on screen, sparking my interest to one day
   perhaps be able to don a stethoscope, a set of scrubs, or even be the one
   holding the scalpel and making an incision. I even got the opportunity to
   shadow and get hands-on experience at a featured hospital on the show, Charity
   Hospital in New Orleans the summer before it was closed due to complications
   with Hurricane Katrina. I helped in the delivery of babies, assess injuries and
   be involved in surgeries. It was the culmination of these moments that helped
   me realize I wanted to become a trauma surgeon, and thus began my quest towards
   my goal.

   I began my matriculation as a great student, but an even
   better athlete. I admit a lot of my focus was on my athletic career, as the
   scholarship money allotted to me allowed me the opportunity to pursue higher
   education. As a nationally recognized competitor, my priorities shifted greatly
   and my academics suffered. However, as an adult student, I have realized the
   importance of placing my efforts, concentration, and resources into my studies.
   Thus, all courses taken after the completion of my Undergraduate Degree have
   all received an A as the final grade, including both teaching certification and
   required prerequisite courses for physician assistant programs.

   The joy felt influencing others in positive ways by giving
   them the tools required for their ultimate success, as physician assistants do,
   cannot be described in words. Helping people realize exercise requires energy
   but also helps you feel more energized, that sometimes our genes and jeans may
   be related but diet can improve ones’ situation, and that accidents happen but
   the overall role of a PA is to provide safety, comfort, and improved quality of
   life. This is who I am and how I expect to express myself to patients.

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5. Haley Nadeau says

   August 15, 2019 at 8:15 pm

   A 35-year-old woman named Lisa came into the office one day and truly opened my eyes to how pain can be so crippling. I met Lisa with a smile as I called her back. This active and healthy mother used a walker and shuffled down the hall holding back tears. As I helped her sit down on the chiropractic bed, Lisa told me how she fell on her dock getting off her boat and how bad her back was hurting. I properly positioned her body and applied the electric stimulation therapy while also applying a red-light therapy laser on L-5 S-1 of her spine, explaining how each therapy works and what she should expect to feel. After weeks of treatment and adjustments, Lisa was finally getting back to her regular routine. This first-hand experience of watching and helping a person go from rock bottom to their healthy normal state further motivates me to continue down the health field track, specifically as a PA.
   Since this is my second time applying to PA school I have had the opportunity to strengthen my application. I have always been interested in how the body moves so I jumped at the opportunity to work at Riebesell Chiropractic Center as a chiropractic aid for Dr. Riebesell. I have gained more experience working with patients as well as creating meaningful relationships with them. Dr. Riebesell has taught me that caring for a patient goes beyond giving them therapy and adjusting them. It is listening and connecting with the patient to make them feel comfortable and cared for. A patient named Jessy comes in to get treated for her migraines. When I first introduced myself instead of giving her heat and walking out the door, I asked if she was sensitive to light. After hearing she was, I went the extra mile to make her comfortable. I shut the blinds and turn the lights down low, I prop pillows under her head and legs and I give her a cloth to cover her eyes. I now do this every time I see her, and she is always so gracious and kind back to me. I make sure every patient I encounter at the office is welcomed with a smile and given the proper attention. I have acquired many skills working alongside of Dr. Riebesell such as kinetic taping a patient and demonstrating how to perform proper stretches and exercises.
   Working at the office for over 6 months now and gaining this experience has really solidified my belief in becoming a physician assistant. I shadowed my first PA, Kelly Pjevcevic, at Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, and it became clear how necessary and versatile the profession is. We saw many patients in the office my first day as I experienced how injections were given but more importantly how the interaction between the patient and the PA took place. Many of the patients told me that they love coming to see Kelly and mainly are taken care of by her. This freedom to treat a patient without a doctor in the office allows for the PA to create a relationship with the patient. To me the patients almost have better, more personal relationship with the PA because more time is spent with them and I love that about physician assistants. My second day was surgery day. I observed a hip replacement, arthroscopic knee surgeries, as well as a shoulder arthroscopy. Other than the fact that I was able to actually see bones and muscle in person, I was able to interact with all of the team members that assisted in surgery that day. From nurses and scrub techs to the surgeon and PA everyone worked as a team. The kind of teamwork that takes place in surgery feels like home because of my history of playing team sports. At the end of the day, weather in the office or seeing patients after surgery, everything came full circle and the PA is able to witness and help the patient get back to living life.
   I want to be a PA because I want to be able to make personal connections with every person that comes in to the office. Everyone deserves an ear for listening and a comforting smile. Being a PA I will have the opportunity to work with a multitude of people where I can spend enough quality time with each patient to make a connection as well as cultivate and execute a proper plan with the team to get them back to a healthy, functioning state. My background in team sports is very strong as I am still a high school basketball coach. We preach communication every practice therefore, I understand how important it is to communicate every process as a PA working within a team. The experience I gained shadowing and working as a chiropractic aid will only benefit me down the road on this journey. I was young and inexperienced my first application cycle apply but after a year of growth and experience I am ready to take the next step in becoming a physician assistant.

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   • M. Hope says

     August 26, 2019 at 9:56 am

     When I was a sophomore in high school, I was on my school’s flag football team. It was my first season playing, and I just so happened to dislocate my finger during practice from a football being powerfully thrown at me. My sister picked me up and rushed me to the emergency room. This was my first time being in actually being in a hospital. I remember seeing nurses, doctors, and many other professionals seeing and treating patients, one after the other. I was so amazed by how hectic the emergency room seemed to be, but how organized it was at the same time. That was when I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field.

     I went into college with the mindset of wanting to attend medical school. I didn’t know much about any other professions, so I told myself I was going to be a doctor. I chose to major in biology, being it was a science major and not knowing much else to major in. Throughout many rigorous biology and chemistry classes, I truly started to love learning about human the human body and its process. I knew that I wanted to keep learning about health and the human body in order to help people in the future.

     During the end of my sophomore year of college, I was trying to find ways to gain healthcare experience. I came upon a “Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Course” and after looking more into it, decided to become a CNA. I began working at a hospital almost immediately after acquiring my CNA license. Since my first day of being a CNA and still now, I have loved coming to work and helping patients. Although a CNA cannot do much in medical terms, simply helping people with small tasks or just taking five minutes to sit and talk with them could make their whole day. My compassion and drive grows each time I come to work. I am reminded each day I work that I want to help people, and I want to continue a career in the medical field.

     Still at the beginning of being a CNA, I had medical school for my future. During this time, I was introduced to a physician assistant (PA) through one of the nurses. I told the PA I wanted to go to medical school, in which she told me to look into PA school. At the time, I could not tell you what a PA was or what they do. But after doing some research on the profession, my future plans seemed to change. What I discovered was being a PA has the most benefits for someone in the medical field: I can help people with their illnesses while still having time for other joys in my life. I loved the idea of the flexibility of specialties, as I am always wanting to expand my knowledge about the many different areas of medicine. I like the autonomy that comes with being a PA while also having a supervising physician to learn from and work with.

     PA’s are able to provide affordable healthcare to underserved families and communities, which I believe is extremely important and a necessity. I grew up in a military family, spending my childhood moving from place to place every three or four years. I lived in both wealthy as well as impoverished areas. I have always had a place in my heart for the ones in need, and by being a PA I can help meet the healthcare needs of our nation.

     After shadowing different PA’s, I was certain that being a PA was what I wanted to pursue. I saw them working under the supervision of a doctor while also being independent. The PA’s diagnosed and treated just as many patients as the physician did. I witnessed astounding bedside manner and compassion. Being a CNA for the past year has opened my eyes and truly made me want to continue a career in the medical field. I have learned the different roles of a healthcare team and appreciate every one of them. I have found my “why” in life, and want nothing more than to help, diagnose, and treat patients and their illnesses. I know that being a PA will grant me that desire. My perseverance and eagerness will push me through your rigorous program.

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