Hometown: San Ramon, California which is in the East Bay Area.
Undergrad: Applied Health (basically biology) degree from Azusa Pacific University. Before starting PA school.
Patient care experience: I worked mainly as a medical assistant in a dermatology clinic, but my favorite experience was as a medical internship that took me in and around Quito, Ecuador and into the jungle.
Favorite place or thing to do in Portland: There are so many parts of living in Portland that I love, but my favorite part is there are so many options to be outside.
Something I have been reflecting on is how quickly and easily we lose focus. I don’t mean while studying, but yikes that too, but in the midst of stress of classes, readings, assignments, and exams it is all too easy to lose sight of the privilege I am in the midst of experiencing. It’s all too easy to forget that this school, this education, this program, the late nights, even the moments where I feel like I know nothing – it is all the most extraordinary gift and privilege. Being a PA is something that I have dreamed about and worked forwards for such a large portion of my life and I never want to lose sight of that. I think for me, it comes back to remembering that my ability to go to this incredible program is not only because I worked so hard, but also is a gift that I am privileged to have received. I do not mean to downplay how rigorous this program is or how truly unbelievably hard this year has been because it has been and is all that and more. There have been seasons this year and during this program where my goal has just been to survive, to get through, to make it to the next break or weekend or exam, but even then, there are moments of joy. Joy when you finally understand something or when a classmate that has become family just understands you or makes you laugh so hard you may pee your pajamas (because let’s get real – we are all in pajamas).
Ultimately, I keep coming back to this feeling that despite all the turmoil and rigor of 2020 and even PA school, I am immensely grateful for the stunning opportunity I was given by being accepted to PA school like OHSU. This school demands our excellence because they believe we are capable of nothing less. This program makes me want to be excellent. I deeply believe this is more attainable when I can remain cognizant of just how truly honored I am to receive this education. Maybe one day, you will see this hopeful, exhausted, grateful, stressed, confused, & wildly honored and privileged PA student as an excellent PA and before that you are all welcome to remind me that this brutal, intense, demanding, wild program I’m immersed in is just that – a gift.
