Choosing Mount Union's PA Program
There were three main reasons I chose Mount Union's PA program over any other program. Mount Union's program was relatively close to home, it was affordable compared to many other programs (in part because it was closer to home, offering me the option to commute and save on housing costs), and the professors in Mount Union's program demand/uphold a high standard of excellence. The high standard in Mount's program sets it apart from other programs. This high standard breeds impressive results. Mount's PA class of 2024 earned a 100% pass rate on the national certifying exam, which I think can be attributed to the standard of excellence here. The professors help and work with you to be as perfect as possible at conducting physical exams, reading medical labs and images, developing accurate diagnoses, implementing the best plans of action to combat various conditions, understanding the underlying biochemical mechanisms that cause various conditions, as well as formulating accurate prognoses.
Why Become a Physician Assistant?
I worked as a direct support professional (DSP) during undergrad and had the opportunity to take care of individuals with developmental disabilities. Helping these individuals brought joy to my life and allowed me to realize I have a passion for healthcare. The career of a PA appealed to me more than any other career in healthcare because it offered me the chance to influence the health of the members in my community to the degree that doctors do (in many circumstances, not all), but it only takes a fraction of the time to get out in the workforce. Ultimately, I chose to pursue becoming a PA because it gives me an opportunity to make a positive and substantial impact to the health of my community in a relatively short amount of time. I have not got to my clinical portion of the curriculum yet, however I learned a few things from my shadowing experiences before I entered the program. My favorite shadowing experience was in emergency medicine. The PA I was shadowing had to work at a fast pace, know a great deal of information as literally anything can come through the emergency room doors, and got to see many patients entirely on their own, though more serious cases needed a doctor's oversight. It showed me that the PA has a dynamic and vitally important role in healthcare.