Physician Assistant

The Love Hate of Medicine

October 19, 2024October 21, 2024JuliaLeave a comment

“Aiding in increasing healthcare access, delivering quality and compassionate healthcare, and reducing health disparities in underserved communities is the driving force behind my desire in becoming a physician assistant.”

This was the opening sentence of my personal statement for PA school, and this was a viewpoint I was deeply passionate about for years prior. This passion was reflected in my employment history and in community service efforts I participated in. Interestingly, now that I am a provider I see the complexity in accomplishing this in a broken health care system that is profit driven. Increasing access and delivering quality care is meaningless if profit is not generated.

Officially a PA-C

December 22, 2023October 26, 2024Julia3 Comments

Hello beautiful peopleeeeee!!! I have been MIA these past couple of months. So much has happened from moving to a new state, starting a new job, quitting that said job five weeks later, failing my board exam, to later passing my board exam. Yes, I said I failed my board exam and talk about a hit to my ego. I was disappointed in myself and had a lot of shame around failing. I questioned my competency as a physician assistant. There are many that still do not know. However, I had to be honest with myself and accept I did not study to the extent that I should have.

Frankly, after graduating PA school I was exhausted and just wanted to socialize spending time with family and friends. Sis was in these STREETS. I’m talking about US and internationally lol. I underestimated the exam and failing was a wakeup call. I since have passed and am now a certified PA-C! Additionally, I will be starting a new job next year which I am excited for. I know this position will be a better fit for my personality and will provide me with the work-life balance I crave.

If I were to offer any advice to those on this PA journey, specifically those in their clinical year gearing up to graduate it would be…

Done with didactic year and off to clinicals!!!

May 23, 2022JuliaLeave a comment

Hello beautiful people! I’m semi-back from under the rock I’ve been hiding and it feels good to be back in the world lol. This past week I officially finished my didactic year of PA school!!! As I write this blogpost, I have a huge grin across my face. It feels me with such joy to know I am officially done and will now be off to seeing patients. PA school, by far, has been one of the hardest things I have done in my life. The late nights, deprived sleep, imposter syndrome and constant stress, are a few of the challenges that come with this journey. However, despite the challenge I am thankful to be here because I worked so hard to get here. I remember nights praying for this, praying for an interview, an opportunity, an acceptance, and here I am. Thank you God!!!

For those on this journey do not give up. Keep faith and continue putting in the work, you will be rewarded. Okay enough of my soapbox lol.

Anyway I wanted to share a few of my memories. #survivingandthriving #blessed

Stay blessed. Remember, you are loved ❤️

Why the Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2021 should pass

July 25, 2021JuliaLeave a comment

The Physician Assistant Higher Education Modernization Act of 2021 (HR 2274) was introduced to the House of Representatives on March 29, 2021, by California’s 37^th district representative, Karen Bass. The bill aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to expand education opportunities for physician assistant students and physician assistants. Some advantages of HR 2274 include (1.) increasing Subsidized Stafford Loan (SSL) limits and loan forgiveness programs (2.) increasing grants awarded to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Hispanic programs (3.) increasing enrollment of minorities and students from rural areas in PA programs and postbaccalaureate PA programs.

Over the years the cost of higher education has increased while salaries have remained stagnant. Millions of Americans have student debt and the number continues to rise with minorities and women being disproportionally affected¹. Tuition for PA programs continue to increase with tuitions ranging between $30,000 to over 120,000. Many PA students fund their education with student loans, specifically federal aid. Currently graduate students can apply for the Unsubsidized Stafford Loan (USL) which caps at $65,000² which is less than what most PA programs cost. If a student needs additional aid, they can apply for the GradPlus Loan which is a federal loan that requires a passed credit check. To my knowledge this is a common route students take, but for students who do not qualify private loans are the next option. Thus, increasing the SSL limits would allow students to receive loans with no or lower interest rates and forgo high interest rates that come with private loans. Furthermore, expansion of loan forgiveness programs will grant more students the ability to take advantage of these programs and minimize their education debt.

My PA Journey – Why I Chose PA?

May 8, 2018JuliaLeave a comment

Hello beautiful people!! So yesterday I asked one of the doctors I once worked with if he would be willing to write me a letter of recommendation for PA school. Anyone who knows me well knows I absolutely hate having to ask for a LOR. For some reason I always feel like I\’m a burden, but that\’s clearly my own hang-up I’m going to have to learn to get over. All week I had been gearing up to ask. Should I text or email, what should I say, how long should it be…. lol needless questions that caused me much anxiety. Anyway I finally sent the text and was ecstatic when he replied and said yes. Though, he did have a question for me

— Why did you go from Physician to PA to teaching to Public health, and back to PA?

I wasn’t expecting this question, but it got me thinking. The short response is I chose PA because I want to play an active role in reducing health disparities with marginalized groups, working primarily in primary care and substance abuse. However, this was not always my purpose and in fact my life has been a journey leading me to where God intends for me to be.