The Physician Assistant Essay and Personal Statement Collaborative

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1. Deqa Abdi says

   June 25, 2020 at 12:52 pm

   For a long time, I suppressed the idea that I could be successful as a physician assistant (PA). While working as a respiratory therapist, I have seen how my patients respond to the care they receive, and the gratification associated with that propels my desire to achieve even more by becoming a physician assistant. I have always felt like I could accomplish and contribute more to the healthcare field. My motivation emanates from my early childhood experiences and dreams of becoming a healthcare worker and improving people’s lives. This dream arose from my admiration for the work that my father did. He was not a trained medical professional, but he learned medical care skills from the women in his family. Although he couldn’t adequately provide for the education and feeding of his 15 children back then, I admired how he executed his duties with integrity and empathy for the less fortunate. He proudly operated according to his principle of empathy, which motivated me to pursue a career in the healthcare field and endeavor to excel in it.

   I was born and raised in Somalia, a country that was ravaged by anarchy and civil war. Like millions of other refugees, my parents and I have resettled in America to pursue a better life. When we arrived in the States, we encountered many challenges, including adjusting to a new environment, new system, new culture, and a new language. With all these difficulties, however, the value of hard work, leadership, and fiscal responsibility, which my parents instilled in me, have spurred success and inspired happiness in life. I have put myself through college, successfully graduating with a degree in respiratory care from the University of Minnesota/Mayo School of Health Sciences. I became the first in my family to graduate from higher education. This opened up my path to the world of medicine, which was my childhood dream.

   Working alongside physician assistants, medical doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers has given me an insight into the role of a PA. The experience I have accrued from my volunteering/shadowing and post-university direct patient care as a respiratory therapist has solidified my aspiration of becoming a physician assistant. The skills I acquired have enabled me to execute my duties diligently in various positions of patient care, including leadership roles. Witnessing doctors and PAs work together gave me the push I needed to take the plunge. I have worked alongside physician assistants for years, assisting them alongside other staff surgeons and medical residents in carrying out medical and surgical procedures in the intensive care units. I was intrigued by their partnership and the PA’s ability to work independently yet simultaneously.

   There is no accurate scale by which to measure success in life. Equally true is this: although a GPA tells us about students’ academic strengths, it does not reveal the entire picture of their struggle. Eleven years of experience I have gained in the field has built up my confidence and solidified my conviction that I have the tenacity, passion, and perseverance to accomplish whatever I set my mind to. I have not yet reached the zenith of my abilities; becoming a physician assistant is what I am currently yearning for. I want to be of more use to the world, and becoming a PA will enable me to do so as it will expand my expertise in the medical field. I intend to use the skills that I acquire to improve people’s lives by decreasing the severity of their suffering and volunteering my medical services to less privileged people in society. Becoming a physician assistant will grant me the tools that I need to make a difference in the world.

   Despite delaying this goal for many years, I am now convinced that I will be successful as a PA. My strong work ethic and resilience will enable me to achieve this goal successfully. My experiences have forged me into a tough, all-around individual who will not let any setback deter her from realizing her potential. Moreover, I am innately driven by compassion in disseminating health care services to people in society. An opportunity to acquire the requisite skills from your distinguished institution is one that I would take with open arms and no reservations as it is known to produce many competent professionals. I, therefore, hope that I will be offered the chance to be molded by your institution.

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   • Whitney Prosperi says

     June 29, 2020 at 6:02 pm

     Deqa,
     You are off to a good start.
     One thought – I would not open with a negative statement that says for years you doubted you would be a successful PA. Instead, I would focus on the strength and resilience that you developed. You clearly have drive and the passion to help people so I would focus instead on your strengths. After all, your family overcame many obstacles, as did you.
     In your discussion of working with and shadowing PAs I would describe a patient interaction that inspired you.
     Also, if you have grade issues you need to discuss, write a paragraph that comes before the conclusion describing what happened resulting in the grades and what skills you gained that helped you improve. Describe how you will continue that upward trend in PA school.
     Also, I would write a paragraph that describes you interacting with a patient who really motivated you to increase your scope of practice so you can do more for patients. Show yourself in action performing hands-on clinical care of some kind while connecting with a patient. You want to show how you perform your duties and support patients and what you have to offer patients as a future PA.
     I would condense throughout your essay where you can.
     You also may want to mention your ability to and desire for collaboration since this is such a big part of the PA role.
     Good luck!

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2. Scott Weibye says

   June 24, 2020 at 6:55 pm

   Thank you in advance for looking at this. It is my first draft, so any suggestions that you may have are appreciated.

   “Was this the right decision?” “You are not a young man anymore, what are you thinking?” I was 46 years old, had been in corrections for over fourteen years, and was about to abandon what was supposed to be my career and go back to college. The company I had been working for came to a mutual decision with the state of Idaho to terminate the prison contract that had been in place for over fourteen years. Kami, my wife, and I had several months to discuss what was next and she supported my decision to go back to school.
   I walked out of the Idaho Correctional Center for the last time on June 23, 2014 and it was August now and I was sitting in the back of a lecture hall at the College of Western Idaho. The last time I was in college was in 1992 and to be brutally honest, I lacked direction and any discipline which reflected poorly on my GPA. Gone were the times when I would sit in the back of the auditorium, reality proving that if my grades were going to improve, I needed to move up front because I could not read what the professor was writing as clearly as when I was 24 years old. I knew that I wanted to help people and make a difference, but I still did not know exactly what profession the best fit for me would be. That question would be answered almost exactly three years later and would prove to serve as my motivation to pursue a career as a physician assistant.
   It was September of 2017 and my wife and I had been sitting in a small room of the St. Alphonsus Emergency room for what seemed like an eternity. We had dealt with her alcoholism before, but it had never been this bad. For weeks she had been complaining of pain in her upper right abdominal area and her skin was a tinge of yellow. This pain had gotten to the point that she could not sleep through the night and was vomiting constantly. The curtain finally opened, and a middle-aged male physician assistant introduced himself to us as “Joel”. Joel proceeded to explain to us what he suspected was wrong and informed us that we would be there for a while so he could order more tests. I felt so helpless as the words “alcoholic hepatitis” were uttered from Joel’s mouth. I could see the fear on Kami’s face, and I was sure that she could see concern on mine. I had always considered myself as the “rock” in our relationship, but I honestly was not ready for this diagnosis. “Was I going to lose the most important person in my life?” Later that evening, Kami was admitted to the hospital for several days of observation. It was during this period that I had many discussions with Joel about my wife and why he chose to become a physician assistant.
   All the reasons that Joel explained to me concerning his career made complete sense. It was during those days at the hospital with Kami that I realized that the autonomy of being a physician assistant, flexible work schedule, less schooling than a physician, and the reduced cost of student loans were the perfect fit for me at this particular time in our life. Joel had also mentioned that he was wanting to specialize in pediatrics the following year. This is an aspect of a physician assistant that I had never considered. Being able to continually grow and gain knowledge of other specialties was something that I had truly enjoyed about returning to school later in life. I am also a firm believer in preventative medicine and feel that this philosophy has its place in all specialties. I have always followed a healthy lifestyle and would like to incorporate this passion into whatever specialty I am involved with at a given time. The desire to constantly learn and challenge myself while helping others would allow for a never-ending passion as a physician assistant. Being “older”, I do not have the time for medical school, nor do I wish to accumulate the debt that is attributed with pursuing the degree of an M.D. or D.O. this late in life. I have always considered myself a good communicator, even while working at the prison I found a sense of accomplishment when listening to the concerns and helping the inmates that were incarcerated. Another factor is the quality of time that being a physician assistant will allow me with Kami. Just as Joel had demonstrated with Kami and I, being able to spend more time with the patients allowed for better communication and a sense of ease and comfort and was a trait that I admired and since have aspired for. This would also give me a greater understanding of my wife’s health issues and decrease that sense of helplessness that had overcome me when first confronted with her diagnosis.
   In March of 2018 I began working as a psychiatric technician at Intermountain Hospital in Boise, Idaho. Intermountain Hospital is a behavioral health hospital and Kami, my wife, had spent some time in and out of hospitals just like this one, so I figured that this would be a great place to acquire my patient care hours and work around physician assistants. Being a psychiatric technician enabled me to work closely with many different types of patients. The hospital has an intensive care unit which cares for actively suicidal patients, patients who are going through withdrawal, and patients who had more serious forms of mental illness. This is the unit where I first began working and in certain ways, it was like what I had dealt with in prison. Many of the patients were aggressive and those that were not, needed constant supervision due to their mental health issues. My communication skills that I had acquired working in corrections were essential and I enjoyed working with the different patient care teams in establishing and following a productive course of action so that the patient could make a successful return to their previous life. I was able to follow their progress through multiple community meetings and the constant one on one contact which involved taking vitals, ensuring that they were taking their medications, and security and welfare checks throughout each shift. During my employment with Intermountain Hospital, I worked in each of the units that Intermountain Hospital operates, which each of them having their own nuances. The acute adult unit housed both male and female patients and focused on less serious mental or behavioral issues ranging from coping mechanisms to patients who had neglected their medication for periods of time. Generations housed both elderly male and female patients and primarily focused on issues such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and severe depression. New Start, is an addiction unit, ranging from alcoholism, meth addiction, heroin addiction, and opiate addiction. I enjoyed working on this unit because I felt as if I could more closely relate to the patients due to my wife’s alcoholism. Working on this unit also allowed me greater insight into the treatments that my wife was receiving or had received in the past. Intermountain Hospital also has a female adolescent unit and a male adolescent unit which is where I was first introduced to treating not only the individual, but the family unit as well. I appreciated my time on these adolescent units because I felt as if I had the opportunity to make a change and difference earlier in the lives of these patients. Being able to work with the physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and various counselors and social workers on these units provided me a sense of accomplishment through the teamwork that each professional displayed. My work at this hospital also allowed me the time to speak to many physician assistants and to get a feel for not only why they chose this career, but also as to the value that each one of them added to the various patient care teams. By working closely with each of the physician assistants, I developed a greater appreciation for their work flexibility, their ability to work among many different specialties within the hospital, and the amount of time and dedication that each of them gave to their patients. Listening to them as they evaluated each patient’s progress and the positive reinforcements and hope that they instilled in their patients, reaffirmed my choice to pursue a career as a physician assistant.
   Overall, I feel as though life itself has been my greatest teacher. I am not a young man anymore and with that I have acquired the patience and understanding that allows me to understand that I do not know everything and at times the best thing that each of us can do is to place ourselves in someone else’s shoes. People deserve compassion and understanding which can be accomplished by just listening and not assuming that we understand. As a physician assistant, I will bring this maturity with me and share it with each patient, which I feel allows for the trust and sense of comfort that every patient needs when seeking our advice.

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   • Whitney Prosperi says

     June 29, 2020 at 5:47 pm

     Scott,
     I think you are off to a good start.
     I would advise moving the discussion about your grades to later in the essay so that the committee gets a sense of your strengths first. Make that the paragraph that comes right before your conclusion.
     You do a good job of showing your initial introduction to the PA profession.
     I would condense throughout your essay, tightening up where you can.
     Also, rather than use the characters to discuss why you are not going the MD route just focus on why you are a great fit for the PA role.
     I would add some more details about why you will excel at combining clinical expertise with a personal touch to support patients.
     You may want to also mention your desire to collaborate with a healthcare team somewhere in your essay. Just a thought- you could mention your experience working with and relying on your team in corrections.
     Good luck to you.
     I’m not saying you need this, but remember we are taking submissions for our essay revision service should you need more help.

     Reply

3. Sana says

   June 24, 2020 at 6:07 pm

   This is a rough draft, please let me know what you think
   Life is a series of turning points, a collaboration of dark moments that after starving us of light only serves to compel us to pursue great light. July 23rd, 2015 launched my series of turning points. My childhood is entombed by hospital walls. I cannot remember a time where my father was not struggling with diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. With my freshman year of high school came my father’s diagnosis of Pulmonary Fibrosis. Although I was aware of the severity of the disease, it never crossed my mind that I might actually lose him. By high school graduation, his deteriorating health could not be ignored, and before the ceremony, he had to be rushed to the hospital as a result of an asthma attack. Graduation celebrations were quickly replaced by long nights at his bedside. Such nights allowed my first interactions with Carey, a critical care Physician Assistant, my father but one of her many patients.
   After spending a few rigorous nights in critical care, my father was moved into a rehab unit in order to promote lung reparation. On his last day at CCU, Carey came to see him off. The connection she nurtured between him and our family remains unmatched. Witnessing her impact sparked my interest in pursuing medicine. Carey used her position to craft a sense of safety, comfort, and overall reassurance. The patience and care exhibited by her did more than leaving a lasting impression, it gave my family strength that we could not generate alone. A month passed, my father stabilized. However, a week before his projected release, my dad’s body began attacking itself. His organs began to shut down, and cell replication stopped. My father’s grasp on life was slipping from him before our eyes. I watched my mother sign the DNR, and on July 23rd my father was gone.
   Three months spent at the hospital opened both my eyes and heart to a career in medicine. Before Carey, I had no idea what a PA was, but meeting her initiated research that gave my life direction. Through this research, I discovered that becoming a PA permits maximum benefits in the medical field: It allows the opportunity to assist people through their illnesses while still preserving personal time. The flexibility of specialties appeals to me because I pride myself on my desire to expand upon my knowledge regarding medicinal areas. This is my purpose in life, and I intend to aid, diagnose, and treat patients while using my position as a PA as a vehicle to do so.
   An extremely unfortunate experience aided in my pursuit in becoming a PA. One of greatest problems with today’s health care system is access to medical care in underserved populations. In 2018 I was afforded the privilege of joining a medical brigade in Honduras. Working in triage and checking over two thousand patients with no access to healthcare, only provided clarity in what I hope to achieve as a PA. During this time, there existed the opportunity of shadowing doctors, as well as different medical professionals throughout the field. As a physician assistant, I intend to provide affordable healthcare to underserved families and communities
   This is my second year of applying to PA school. Over the last year, I have been working as a medical assistant in a Primary Care setting. Dr. Falanga is a PCP specializing in geriatrics. My responsibilities as an MA include performing EKGs, administering vaccines, taking vital signs, and medical history, renewing prescriptions and completing prior authorizations. Not only have I learned clinical care duties but I have learned the importance of strong patient and healthcare professional connections. Connected patients experience reduced stress, better adherence to treatment plans, and have better outcomes. As a medical assistant, I call the patient in, check vitals, BMI, and create a note before they see the physician. I have learned the critical importance of establishing an emotional connection with patients. Expressing empathy and listening intensely are two very important skills to have.
   While shadowing PAs I have seen them work under the supervision of a doctor while maintaining independence in order to diagnose and treat just as many patients. Shadowing PA Qureshi has opened my eyes to this and contributed to continuing a career in the medical field. Long hours caring for patients has taught me much about who I am, as well as who I can be for others. I am confident that my perseverance, eagerness, and experience will not only result in my success in your rigorous program, but also in the character of the PA I hope to one day be. This opportunity is the light succeeding the darkest moment in my life, and my goal is to harness in order to assist, console and reach as many people as becoming a PA allows.

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   • Whitney Prosperi says

     June 29, 2020 at 5:31 pm

     Sana,
     I think you are off to a good start.
     Your beautiful introduction about your father is powerful. You do a good job of showing your introduction to the PA profession and your desire to help others as Carey helped your family.
     I would condense throughout your essay where you can, including your introduction.
     Also, where you discuss your ability to connect with patients, I would also include a story that shows you doing just that. Include a patient interaction that shows you personally providing support or reassurance while providing clinical care of some kind to a patient.
     Also, I would write a specific paragraph regarding your shadowing experience. Describe the interactions the PA had with patients and with the supervising physician. Explain how this experience further confirmed your decision to pursue the PA path.
     I’m not saying you need this, but we are taking submissions for our essay revisions should you need further help.
     Good luck to you!

     Reply

4. Farnoosh Nadalizadeh says

   June 24, 2020 at 11:54 am

   What contributes to a person’s health is beyond their individual choices and needs to be treated as such. This belief led me to study Public Health Sciences where I learned the foundation of medicine. I was not the child who knew exactly what they wanted to be when they grew up. Experiences in my life have gradually honed my values and passions into a sharp focal point; becoming a physician assistant (PA).

   Being an immigrant and first generation college student has given me unique insight and taught valuable life lessons. My interest in healthcare began in middle school where I saw my grandmother battling Alzheimer’s disease. Living in Iran, she experienced several hardships including losing a daughter and husband. I wondered if these experiences influenced her diagnosis and prognosis. This question built inside me a curiosity of the body, brain, environment, and how they contribute to overall health.

   The COPE program at St. Joseph’s Hospital opened the doors for me to get a taste of what it takes to be a part of a healthcare team. To be eligible for this opportunity, I participated and thrived in didactics and clinical training as well as examinations. From the first shift as a health scholar, helping the CNAs and patients, I felt a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction I had not known before. The love and compassion in that hospital shaped my perspective of medicine and fostered an interest in learning beyond a patient’s diagnosis.

   As a health scholar at COPE, I shadowed PAs for various procedures and most importantly their patient interactions. I noticed the autonomy they had in their roles and the advantage of collaborating with their PA peers, expanding their overall clinical knowledge. Seeing my enthusiasm for learning, PAs with different specialties shared how their various backgrounds have helped them to provide well-rounded care. This experience solidified my interest in the PA profession.

   Among all patients I helped, once I came across a homeless patient who needed wound care after discharge. I spent hours convincing insurance that a patient should not be denied access to healthcare just because she doesn’t have an address on file. Helping the disadvantaged opened my eyes to the gap between healthcare and community service that needs to be filled to ensure healthier communities.

   Another impactful interaction that further ignited my passion for the PA profession was when I went with my mother to see a neurology PA. I vividly recall seeing the art of patient communication within her practice. Her ability to clarify complex ideas in simple words to my mom despite cultural and educational differences was beautiful and continues to inspire me.

   The autonomy in the PA profession allows me to practice medicine from a holistic approach. Collaborating with PAs and other providers in an interdisciplinary approach will expand my knowledge pool and ensure patients receive the best treatment. Becoming a PA allows me to experience more than one specialty and have an extensive view of the etiology of diseases. The broader outlook interconnects different specialties as a system in the same way that the human body operates. The more harmonious the parts are, the more efficient the body will be. My goal as a PA is to connect healthcare and community service, target the root of the disease and integrate preventive care into my practice focusing on underserved communities.

   A patient’s disease is not always a reflection of their choices. From childhood watching my family caring for my grandmother, to experience helping disadvantaged in a healthcare setting, and the memorable experience with the neurology PA led me to follow the PA path. Diligence and enthusiasm to learn has shaped my path so far and will continue to help me as I become a PA who has autonomy that leads to her satisfaction, collaborates with peers to provide the best care for patients, and interconnects specialties for a broader outlook of the disease etiology. Of course, success cannot be gained without doubt and hardship, but my perseverance toward reaching my goal provides me with the confidence and pride I carry today and continues to serve me well through my PA journey.

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   • Farnoosh Nadalizadeh says

     June 24, 2020 at 11:55 am

     Hi, thank you for helping us in our PA journey. I appreciate any tips from you guys.

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   • Whitney Prosperi says

     June 29, 2020 at 5:19 pm

     Farnoosh,
     You are off to a great start! I can see your developing interest in healthcare throughout your essay.
     You also do a good job of describing what you observed from shadowing experiences.
     I would add some details about your clinical experience. Also, you may want to elaborate on why you will excel at combining clinical expertise with a personal touch to support your patients.
     Good luck to you.

     Reply

5. Patty says

   June 22, 2020 at 2:42 pm

   Fear does not discriminate. This emotion spans across all medical specialties and affects patients and providers alike. Patients with traumatic injuries wonder how they will recover, people try not to assume the worst when dealing with ongoing symptoms, and providers worry if their suggested treatment method will succeed. Whether medically related or not, we have all had moments of heart pounding, stomach churning, all-consuming fear. I have tried to face my fears head on for my entire life. When given the choice, I have always pushed the boundaries of my discomfort because I liked the challenge. But sometimes you do not get a choice. Like so many women my age, I am a survivor of sexual assault. I was 20 years old, studying abroad in Australia, when I came face to face with a fear that I was not equipped to handle. My new relationship with fear made me feel trapped, leading to academic consequences while abroad and in the following semesters at my home institution. Thankfully I was able to overcome this obstacle, but I decided from that moment on that I did not want to simply pursue a career in the medical field. I wanted to ensure that, within the field, I would always be in a position to help others alleviate their fears.
   I never realized just how much this decision would affect me or influence my future career in medicine, but it really changed the trajectory of my life. I was steered towards volunteer opportunities at Hospice of Dayton and with Crisis Text Line, which both dealt with vulnerable populations experiencing fear. These volunteer opportunities represented everything I was passionate about, as I was able to work in a diverse environment and through each opportunity I gained general medical knowledge and vocabulary used in fields such as palliative care, geriatrics, and psychiatry. It was also during this time that I was introduced to the physician assistant profession which perfectly embodied what I was looking for in a career. I would be able to help my patients move past their fears regarding their current prognosis or future diagnosis. I could combine my empathetic and resilient nature with my love of learning and passion for science.
   For the past two years I have worked as an emergency department medical scribe. In this position I have been exposed to many patient-provider interactions. I have witnessed how physician assistants prioritize and comfort their patients and explain the medical plan in detail. Even when there is no conclusive diagnosis, these patients and their families still leave the emergency department satisfied. People want to be heard and physician assistants want to listen. Being a part of these interactions has only amplified my desire to become a physician assistant and has motivated me to continuously find ways to strengthen myself as an applicant. I have known for most of my life that I wanted a career in the medical field, but it was not until learning and being exposed to physician assistants that I was able to visualize a career that also incorporated the newly found ideals I had surrounding patient care.
   My pathway to the physician assistant profession has not changed since the last application cycle. However, when it became clear that I would need to reapply, I thoroughly reviewed my application and identified areas in which I could improve. I immediately started to formulate plans to strengthen my application further and prove how dedicated I was to the field. When I could no longer find in-person volunteer opportunities I started volunteering online. I enrolled in two higher level psychology courses online to expand my knowledge on the subject. Other plans have been postponed due to COVID-19, but I plan to continue strengthening my application throughout this next year. While traveling abroad, I faced a monster I never thought I could and experienced personal growth only capable through overcoming challenges. This growth meant knowing exactly what type of lifestyle I want for my future, which is a life of conquering my fears, no matter the circumstance, and helping others do the same.

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   • Whitney Prosperi says

     June 29, 2020 at 5:08 pm

     Patty,
     I can sense your resilience and passion to help others throughout your essay.
     I know you will be a compassionate provider who inspires others through your strength.
     I would suggest condensing where you can so you can add some additional elements to your essay.
     First, if you have any shadowing experience, describe that. Add a paragraph that details your shadowing experience. What did you learn from observing this PA? The physician? What did you admire about the interactions the PA had with patients and with the supervising physician? How did this experience affect your interest in the PA profession?
     I would also move the mention of your grades to a specific paragraph and place it as the second to last. Explain any study skills/time management skills that helped you raise your grades and show how you will continue that trend in a rigorous PA program.
     I would also add a few lines that explain why you will excel at combining clinical expertise with a personal touch to support patients.
     Also, somewhere in your essay I would mention your desire to collaborate with a healthcare team since this is such an integral part of the PA role.
     I wish you luck on your journey!

     Reply