I am from a town in southern New Jersey known as the “gateway to the shore”. Being just minutes from popular tourist destinations such as Atlantic City and Ocean City, I grew up with a great appreciation for the beach. From my upbringing, I have had the special opportunity of seeing how each season brings a different type of beauty and experience from my area being vibrant with visitors during the summer to empty yet cozy during the winter. The peaceful and joyous mindset I have from smelling the crisp ocean air and hearing the waves crash along the shore have influenced me to develop a kind-hearted and calm nature towards myself and others.

 

          Other than my surroundings, playing sports and being a part of a team has been a major component of my childhood. After being involved in anything from softball to gymnastics as a kid, I started to focus on field hockey and lacrosse as I finished middle school. During high school, my typical summer morning consisted of me conditioning and practicing with my field hockey team before going to work to prepare for field hockey and lacrosse seasons during the school year. At this point, I had an interest getting involved with healthcare as I had my fair share of medical interactions, but I was not sure which path was right for me.

 

          Based on my previous medical encounters and academic interests, I was eager to pursue an education that would prepare me for a career in healthcare when I began my journey at the University of South Carolina (UofSC). I entered college on the pre-medical track at first but had some reservations about if it was the best fit for me. My University 101 professor, who worked with admissions at UofSC's medical school, ended up guiding me to the physician assistant pathway. After joining our campus’s Association of Pre-Physician Assistant Students the fall of my freshman year and shadowing orthopedic and general surgery physician assistants, I was thrilled to have found a career full of endless possibilities that supports my professional goals and personal attributes.

 

          With the physician assistant field being both hands-on and versatile, I enjoy engaging in various patient care opportunities to learn about aspects of healthcare from different perspectives. From a medical service trip in Nicaragua, to working as a physical therapy aide, emergency room technician, and plastic surgeon's assistant, I worked with patients and providers across numerous specialties and healthcare settings. As I apply to physician assistant programs this upcoming spring, I look forward to keeping the same open-mindedness throughout my graduate training to be a part of a program with well-rounded clinical rotations and ultimately find a specialty to call my own.

 

          My key insights highlight three major components that I dedicated my time to both academically and professionally during my undergraduate career at the University of South Carolina: mental health promotion, health education, and fostering empathy. Following my key insights, I propose a plan to address an issue still relevant regarding one of my key concepts in the “Leadership” section. My hope is that through these realizations I can improve a person's health outcomes by continuing to help facilitate more compassionate and open conversations.