Medicine has fascinated me since I was 7 years old. My mother had a rare form of cancer that initially puzzled the doctors at the University of Washington. I was present at several of the appointments and cared very much to understand what was happening. Watching them assess her symptoms, diagnose her affliction, and develop a treatment plan sparked my interest in a medical career. I spent a lot of time at the hospital during my mother’s treatment around various health care professionals, observing and asking questions. After my mother’s successful treatment, I gained further exposure to medicine through the family practice clinic where my mother worked as a Registered Nurse.
When discussing careers with doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners, I asked the question: “what is the one area of health care in which you feel there needs to be a better understanding?” The majority of the responses came down to one area and that was nutrition. Being an athlete and seeing first-hand how much of a direct influence nutrition has on performance and overall health, I agree with nutrition’s role in the interdisciplinary treatment of a patient. My choice to obtain a degree in dietetics was the beginning of my pursuit of a medical career.
There is a strong correlation between poor nutrition and chronic diseases, such as diabetes, obesity and heart disease. A solid understanding of these diseases, their causes, and the impact of diet and exercise on them helps ensure a treatment plan that addresses the symptoms and their underlying cause. When I was injured as a college athlete, I experienced the importance of nutrition in the recovery process; this in conjunction with other treatments, reinforced that injuries and illnesses should be treated from all angles instead of just one. Studies have shown that injured athletes can reduce their recovery time by implementing proper nutrition and exercise. Similar studies have been conducted and indicated the same results in a hospital setting. Patients with better nutrition and exercise regimens have decreased hospital stays.
Being a college athlete, one learns self-discipline, leadership, and how to perform at peak levels under pressure. While shadowing Physician’s Assistants and Nurse Practitioners, I observed their ability to stay calm regardless of the circumstances and the patient’s condition. The end goal is always the same; assess the patient’s needs and address them efficiently and effectively. The ability to focus and perform under pressure is one of the most valuable life skills I developed as an athlete, and one that will benefit me as a Physician’s Assistant.
For the past three years, I have been volunteering at Open Door Community, which is a location that houses free medical and foot clinics weekly for the homeless. I volunteer in the foot clinic providing foot and minor wound care. I have handled diabetic feet with varying skin conditions, ranging from chronic acute issues all the way to gangrene. Never knowing what may come through the clinic and treating as many patients as possible with limited resources in a very short amount of time is a stressful environment. The focus is on proper care, efficiently delivered with compassion. My hands on experience in a wide variety of situations and the ability to observe and ask questions has given me a greater familiarity and insight into the medical profession. A good education, tempered with practical experience and compassion, is essential. Learning to adapt and to overcome obstacles while providing care is a constant challenge that motivates me to further develop my skill set.
Being a Physician’s Assistant would allow me to practice all that I have learned and will continue to learn. This career offers hands on experience with ample direct patient care interaction which I greatly enjoy at the foot clinic and my current position as a patient care technician, but would like to take to the next level. Physician’s assistants can be versatile and have the ability to practice in many fields. I remain curious about the variety of fields and specializations available and would like the ability to broaden my knowledge base and improve the scope of my skills through continuing education and practical experience. Becoming a Physician’s Assistant would allow me to fulfill these goals, achieve my dreams, and provide evidenced based, effective patient care.
