I take care of patients of all ages in a rural healthcare setting in family practice, sports medicine and work part-time in an urgent care facility. Family practice gives me time to educate patients, sports medicine allows me to be involved with the community through athletic events at local high schools and urgent care provides me an opportunity to do hands-on work such as suturing.
Why Mount Union
I went to Ashland University for my undergraduate degree, and I felt Mount Union was very similar in size and campus feel. Also, Mount Union’s connection with the Cleveland Clinic was important because I knew this would be a great resource for my job search and educational experience. In addition, I felt that the professors and staff were very approachable with questions.
Favorite Professor
Professor James Romano not only taught book medicine but clinical medicine. Even though I do not work in emergency medicine, I still use his thought process in family practice to triage patients and determine what I can manage when it comes to specialist evaluation versus emergent attention.
Hands-On Experience
Although the clinical Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) were stressful in PA school, nothing prepares you better than repetition and practice. Seeing patients (or prepping to see patients) such as in an OSCE really does provide self-confidence that you are able to translate book medicine to clinical medicine.
Course Preparation
The helpful thing about PA school for me was taking my education and future profession to the next level and increasing the intensity through the courses and workload.
Helpful Education
My Mount Union education prepared me for everything in my current job. Obviously, PA school is a stressful time and, at times, it’s extremely difficult to see “the light at the end of the tunnel,” but overall I have felt very prepared. There is a large learning curve in the PA profession, but I must say, in comparison to nurse practitioners and physician assistants from other programs, I certainly felt confident in my education and at least equal in comparison.
Long-term Goals
As a PA, I would like to establish a family practice in a rural community where I am respected, trusted and sought out to care for the members of my community based on my knowledge, compassion and skill as a clinician.
Good Investment
My Mount Union education has been a great investment. I was extremely stressed about the debt I went into as a student, but given my current salary and financial ability to live within my means, I will have my loans paid off sooner than expected.
Favorite Part of My Job
I am able to care for others on a daily basis and am able to truly touch someone’s life.