The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine
What is your hometown?
Lincoln, Nebraska
How or why did you become interested in science and medicine, and what led to your decision to pursue becoming a Physician Assistant?
I was a musical theatre major at Mesa State College in Grand Junction, Colorado and got a job as a phlebotomist/lab tech assistant. Through that job I became intrigued by medicine and adjusted my curriculum for pre-medicine. My husband and I discussed our visions for the future and decided that the PA role was very fitting for my personality as well as for the lifestyle we hope to have. My sister-in-law is a PA and now has a career that is very conducive to her family values. She was an inspiration to me, and ultimately was there to help me make the decision.
How or why did you choose the University of Iowa to attend the Physician Assistant program?
We decided to move to Iowa City because we were able to purchase a house, Adam found a job he liked, and we were told of its breadth of culture. Of course, the University of Iowa Physician Assistant program is ranked as the #1 Physician Assistant program (of both public and private programs) in the country by US News and World Report. Also, the PA faculty and staff left an impression on me unlike any other school I had interviewed. They left me feeling confident that I was going to be getting a wonderful education, and left me knowing that they cared.
Is there a teacher, mentor or UI Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?
Janet Steenlage and Diane Rosene were there to calm my nerves at my interview and have been there ever since with their wonderful advice and uplifting words. They really help me focus on enjoying my time here rather than stressing over every little detail.
What kinds of opportunities or advantages does being a PA student at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
The biggest advantage of being a PA student here is that we are nearly given a medical student’s education. This helps the PA’s value their education, knowing that it is held to a very high standard. It is also a wonderful thing to be alongside the M2’s so that they are exposed to PA’s, and will enter their careers trusting in the abilities of PA’s.
Taking classes with the medical students has also been my biggest challenge. It took all summer to adapt to the idea that our small little PA class was there to help each other get through school. When fall came we were swallowed up into a class five times our size and fed to the wolves with the rest of them. Being mixed in that much larger group brought back all the anxiety and stress that I had just suppressed.
Please describe your professional goals and interests.
The Iowa City area is where I plan to begin my career. I have no real idea of what I will be doing, however at the moment I am very interested in cardio-thoracic surgery and pediatrics. I am also feeling drawn to family practice. It is my understanding that there is great need in family practice, especially in rural communities, and I am not sure yet if my ultimate calling is where my contribution is most needed or where I am most interested. I can only hope that wherever I am, I can be a part of a more affordable and accessible health care system.
What are some of your outside interests?
I enjoy theatre and dance, which are hobbies I hope to return to when my life becomes slightly more settled. I have enjoyed archery hunting in Iowa and will continue with that. I am active in my church and hope to contribute more of my talents there after graduation. I love to quilt, golf, and travel and will definitely be returning to all of those activities post graduation. Most of all I truly enjoy being with my family - my parents, my three brothers, their wives and many children, and also being with Adam’s family in Colorado.
Do you participate in any community service/outreach projects? If so, what are they and what have your experiences been?
The Rex Montgomery Physician Assistant Society has done many community service projects throughout the year including cleaning the Ronald McDonald House, reading books to underprivileged elementary students, donating many children’s books to the shelter in San Antonio, and serving lunch at the Free Lunch Program at the Wesley Center. My favorite experience was serving lunch with the Free Lunch Program at the Wesley Center. It was truly amazing to stand and talk with people who were in great need while serving them lunch. It opened my eyes to the endless blessings I have, and it showed me that my talents are not for myself, but rather for those without.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your work?
I honestly believe that there is something to be learned from nearly every experience. If I keep that in mind I tend to take on a much more positive outlook and attitude which then spreads to those I interact with.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
I know it sounds a bit idealistic, but I would love to know that everyone has equal access to quality health care.
What one piece of advice you would give to students who are interested in applying to a Physician Assistant program?
It is a very big decision and takes an extreme amount of thought. If you are truly interested, find out why! Shadow many PA’s and physicians, talk about it with your family and talk to many different types of health care workers. All of this will help you understand this evolving profession, it will tell you how you will likely be viewed in the future, and most of all it will be a decision you made with your family.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
I can’t see the future, however it is clear that in this country there is going to be a move toward affordable and equal access of care. I hope it works in the context of an American society, preserving the many freedoms we value.