How has your college program inspired you?

My program has inspired me to be the best provider I can be. The best providers are not only educated, but they are also compassionate and caring. They know their patients and can communicate with them. As a PA, I hope to establish healthy working relationships with each of my patients in order to optimize their health care.

Since entering college, what have you learned about yourself?

I’ve learned that I am capable of more than I give myself credit for. There have been numerous obstacles along the way – from initially applying to the program to continuously meeting program requirements as a student. I often fear not succeeding; however, I always seem to conquer the task. I’ve learned that I can do almost anything I set my mind to. I am where I am today because of my passion to care for others and lots of hard work.

Where is UMKC taking you?

Hopefully to a career. I know a lot of the students in the class above us have already been given job offers out of the program. Hopefully, in the next year or so, I’ll be looking at the same thing.

What’s your greatest fear?

I fear letting my patient or their family down. I want to know all of the answers and to be able to provide and treat all of my patients with the best care. I fear the times when I won’t be able to do this.

You studied biology as an undergraduate at UMKC. At the time, were you thinking about a career in health care?

I thought I might want to do medical school. I studied biology knowing that was kind of the pre-med route without actually calling myself pre-med. I changed my decision but still finished with a degree in biology in December 2015.

As you get more clinical training in the PA program, does it seem like a good fit?

It does. The standardized patients were new to us because we had not done a lot of that. But I think it was pretty eye-opening. That’s where all the fun is. I’m looking forward to starting clinical rotations.

Do you know what your first rotation will be?

I am in a rural family practice in Carrollton, Missouri.

What are your lifelong goals?

To be a good PA. Caring for our patients is one part but also being a really good provider and communicating well with them and really understanding our patients. That’s my goal, to know my patient on a personal level rather than just in and out of the office.

Do you have an idea about what kind of a practice you’d like to work at?

I’m really considering rural family practice. My first rotation will help me decide that. I also really like pediatrics.

Did you grow up in a small town?

My family is from a rural area – Brookfield, Missouri, which is a little bit north of here. I spent a lot of time up there. My parents live in Kansas City.

What motto do you live by?

Work hard, play hard. I don’t think I could still be in school if I wasn’t having fun sometimes.

What excites you?

I’m really excited to get out and start practicing and working with the patients. I’m here to help them, and I think that’s what I’m most excited for, to actually interact with them and be a part of their health care.

What is one word that best describes you and why?

Dedicated. I am dedicated to my schoolwork – I’m eager to learn as much as I can while in school, both in the classroom and clinical setting. I not only study what is necessary for class, but I also spend time reading material that may not have been covered. I enjoy reading it in the hope of being a better provider later, even though it may not directly impact me as a student.