Patel M'25 Prepares to Lead an Impactful Career as a Physician Assistant
October 07, 2024By Fatima Magana '22
ALLIANCE - Culminating the celebration of National Physician Assistant Week, the University of Mount Union celebrates Diya Patel M’25, physician assistant studies student.
Patel describes her journey in PA school as an exciting ride full of emotions. Learning from experts in the medical field by shadowing her aunt, who is a physician assistant, Patel learned about the determination and caring nature that the role entails.
“I hope to be authentically kind [to my patients and colleagues]; my name, Diya, is equated to a source of light, and it feels like a preordained plan for my personal and professional life,” said Patel.
Alongside the impact her aunt's career made in her life, Patel credits her path to the delicate care her grandmother received when she broke a hip. Patel began working as a medical assistant back home in New Jersey where she helped and interacted with people of all backgrounds. A patient-provider interaction that has followed her is helping a patient whose language was Gujarati and who only wanted to speak with her.
Patel M'25 (first on the right) with friends
Patel M'25 (third from the right) with other PA students at a conference
Patel M'25 with a friend at a Cleveland Browns game
Patel M'25 after earning her white coat
Patel M'25 with classmates in a lab
“My interview [for the physician assistant studies program] was unique, as I was traveling in India when it was extended to me. I was greatly accommodated, and when I was offered the seat, I planned a visit as soon as I could,” said Patel.
As graduation nears, Patel thinks back to her experience as a medical assistant and how it has helped her as a physician assistant student. Learning about the process involved to make a diagnosis helped Patel understand how doctors made their diagnoses back home.
“My favorite memories lie with the PA Pigskins: our very own intramural flag football team,” said Patel. “Though I wasn’t a member on the field, I got designated as team manager due to my strong commitment to giving support at every game.”
Sharing such strong patient-provider relationship has shown Patel that working in the medical field requires a positive attitude — always. Along with Mount Union, celebrate your favorite physician assistant this week.