PAC: Diversity Matters Scholarship

An impactful PA listens actively and fosters an environment where patients feel genuinely listened to and understood from the first introduction and future visits. I strive to ask open-ended questions and give patients space to share their experiences fully. Often, these conversations reveal underlying challenges or barriers, like limited access to resources, that aren’t immediately clear from a chart. By focusing on each patient’s unique needs, I can create a more accurate, personalized care plan that respects their background and promotes equitable care. As a Black, queer woman, I’ve experienced healthcare disparities and seen the distrust that many marginalized communities feel toward the medical system. Growing up in a disenfranchised community, I saw people who looked like me struggle to find care that indeed met their needs. As a PA, I hope to create a different experience for future patients. I believe that changing this narrative begins with a simple "hello" and by acknowledging each person’s reality. My goal as a PA is to offer patients a fresh perspective and a respectful experience, helping them feel valued and understood without judgment. An Impactful Physician Assistant advocates for their patients in clinical settings and engages in community service to better understand where patients live, work, and face daily challenges. By connecting with the community, I witness firsthand the socio-economic and cultural factors affecting health outcomes, strengthening the connection between myself, my patients, and their care team. This involvement helps me break down communication barriers and create solutions that resonate with patients' experiences. For example, I collaborated with the phlebotomy team to streamline processes for patients with disabilities, reducing their waiting times from 30 minutes to 15 minutes. This initiative decreased patient anxiety and ensured they received timely care and access to resources, including free services for those without healthcare insurance. Additionally, I networked with social workers to connect patients with vital community resources that further support their healthcare needs. I aspire to create a safe place for my patients to land—a space where they feel heard, validated, respected, and supported. I want my patients to know that in my care, they are valued individuals with unique experiences and perspectives, not merely cases or diagnoses. This safe environment fosters openness, allowing patients to build trust and enhancing the effectiveness of my care. Respecting a person’s autonomy and cultural beliefs is another essential quality for an impactful PA. I believe that honoring these values means acknowledging them and integrating them into each patient’s treatment plan without judgment. By collaboratively developing care plans that align with patients' cultural beliefs, I can empower them to take an active role in their health journey. This approach underscores my commitment to treating each patient holistically, recognizing their unique backgrounds and perspectives. As a future Physician Assistant, I prioritize patient needs over personal preferences and collaborate with my colleagues to address any communication barriers. I aim to advocate for patients by offering kindness, understanding, and a trauma-informed approach that strengthens trust. Working closely with other providers, I will ensure every patient’s voice is heard, emphasizing their vital role in their healthcare journey. I am incredibly passionate about bridging gaps in care for patients from disenfranchised backgrounds, particularly Black, Brown, and LGBTQ+ individuals, and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable healthcare environment.

Throughout the first year of school I’ve learned pathognomonic phrases, gold standards, and one defining factor of an impactful PA: human connection. I’m constantly reminded of the essence of medicine through testimonies about patient encounters. Whenever I find myself lost studying, I’m grounded and reminded of the importance of human connection. Medicine is a dynamic field with a commitment to lifelong learning. I struggled through PA school at first as I was overwhelmed. I doubted myself, was I meant to be here? Halfway through my first trimester, the material clicked. We began learning about cardiology and I had experience working at a cardiac center in an underserved community. I vividly recalled a patient waking up altered and the doctor unable to communicate with them due to a language barrier. The patient was anxious and distraught. I did my best to talk with the patient, affirming and reassuring them, and having to convince them in Tagalog to stay in the hospital to get further care. At the time, I had little knowledge on their condition. Now going through the material, learning about the specific presentation, diagnosis, treatment, I reached my moment of clarity. There are patients to treat and the better I understand the diagnoses, the better I can understand them as a whole. I am constantly reminded to not get lost in the semantics of medicine and that there is a person to connect with. The human connection of physician assistants bridges the gap between medicine and empathy. My professor shared his testimony about his mission work in Central America and connecting with a child who had an undiagnosed condition. He was ushered to a small town to meet a child and their family who didn’t speak English. The child was frail; supposedly a toddler but with the physical appearance of an infant. Due to the lack of access to medical care, the parents didn’t name the child as they were expecting them to pass from their condition. With just a stethoscope and his knowledge, he was able to have a presumptive diagnosis and treat the patient. He went straight to a pharmacy and bought the whole stock of medicine for the patient to last a few months until he returned to follow-up. He revisited a few months later with a new supply and found out that the patient was well and now had a name. Growing up in a developing country, the story resonated with me. I vividly recall when I saw children walking barefoot selling gum out of shoe boxes to drivers in traffic. I am reminded of my privilege that my biggest stressor is school. I am also reminded of the responsibility I hold to use my privilege for others. With just a stethoscope in hand, I aspire to be like my professor with his knowledge-base treating patients. Post-graduation I plan to act on my privilege and partner with my local church's community outreach program to serve in downtown LA and to work in an emergency department in an underserved community. I will establish bonds with patients during their tumultuous times; when they need medical care and just someone to talk to. As a future provider, I will stand by my patient’s side and walk hand in hand from when I first see them to when they are discharged from my care. As a PA, I will have the privilege of caring for my patients during their most vulnerable moments. With the paramount understanding to look past the symptoms and diagnosis, to reach out and connect human to human, to understand the person behind the illness.

At four years of age, my family and I emigrated from Haiti to the United States, hoping for new opportunities and a chance at a better life. Even at such a young age, I realized I was to face my new reality. During this transition, I felt a whirlwind of emotions as I entered a new journey. I watched my mother struggle financially and emotionally to provide for my family. My early years in the states were an adjustment for me, but these challenges ultimately created the foundation for my future. Growing up in a low-income immigrant household introduced me to the realities of the healthcare system from a young age. With my mother constantly in-between jobs, I spent much time without insurance and could not afford even the most basic levels of healthcare. I can recall when I noticed my eye was bothering me one afternoon. I ignored it because I knew seeing a doctor was not an option. But as weeks and months progressed, it became a recurrent issue. I was terrified at the possibility of losing my eyesight and burdened by a sense of hopelessness because I could not afford any medical bills without adequate health insurance. The realities of my situation angered me and ignited a passion for making healthcare accessible for all. Lack of access to health care is not just a problem for me; it's a global issue. Many adults cannot afford medical care, including preventive care for chronic diseases and significant health conditions. Throughout my career as a physician assistant, I want to prioritize dismantling these barriers to quality and affordable healthcare. I aspire to be a physician assistant who goes the extra mile for my patients and advocates for communities in need. As someone who has faced the consequences of no healthcare access, I am determined to create sustainable changes in medicine that allow healthcare to be more accessible for all. My college career has been filled with involvement in organizations dedicated to addressing health disparities. From working as a licensed practical nurse in low-income communities to volunteering as a research intern for Dr. Tuckers Health Disparities and Health Promotion lab, serving underprivileged populations has always been my priority. During the Covid-19 Pandemic, I got the opportunity to travel to California and administer the Covid-19 vaccines in rural areas. It was truly remarkable and transformative to serve in these areas and increase access to the vaccine in these medically underserved communities. With the support of like-minded peers and organizations like the PA.C, I will continue pursuing this mission of volunteerism while providing high-quality and compassionate healthcare to all. With my commitment to lifelong learning and a desire to grow and self-develop, I will be a physician assistant that goes above and beyond to see the progressive movement of this profession. I hope to impact the system at the ground level to help diversify the profession, create policies for improving physician assistant practice, and advocate for underserved populations as a PA. My goal as a physician assistant is to be culturally sensitive and create spaces where patients feel safe and have a positive healthcare experience that exudes understanding and compassion. I am committed to improving healthcare access, especially for the underserved. By cultivating a patient-provider relationship, I hope to inspire patients to be involved in their care and promote consistent care across all communities. My upbringing is what continues to inspire me to do so.

As a proud Black masculine leaning lesbian, my identity is constantly a point of conflict for those who believe people like me shouldn't have a voice or a seat at the table. While every part of my identity will influence my role as a provider after graduation, I plan to focus most of my time on advocacy for LGBTQ+ patients, especially those who are black. Having witnessed the vast disparities that the LGBTQ+ community faces reinforced by negative media coverage, lack of advocacy, and the stigmatization around STIs further hindering access to care. The mortality rates among young black LGBTQ+ are much higher when compared to their white peers, especially those who do not identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community. Being a member of this marginalized community and being a provider gives me a unique perspective and opportunity to make a difference for those who could have easily been me had I not received support from those around me. It is known that marginalized groups have risker health practices, receive less access, and, most importantly, do not receive culturally competent care. I plan to be an example, advocate, and haven for those who need care they might not obtain or seek otherwise. One of my goals is to become a Family Medicine PA to help patients maintain their help, as a specialty is a foundation for the general population. I would also like to teach future PAs about the importance of culturally competent care and how marginalized may be more sensitive to the social determinants of health that affect the health outcomes of Black LGBTQ+ individuals, such as discrimination, poverty, and lack of access to healthcare resources. I can advocate for this population by achieving these goals, ensuring they receive equitable treatment and access to healthcare services, and teaching others. Hopefully, by the time I am a seasoned practitioner, policy changes will address the social determinants of health and improve healthcare outcomes for this population. Overall, this aspect of my identity will inform and shape my interactions in the healthcare setting and my goals as a future healthcare professional. I can connect and provide compassion by recognizing and embracing my identity, ensuring adequate patient care. The LGBTQ+ community has unique needs and is often overlooked incredibly by those who are black. While I know I'm just one person, my passion and dedication encourage my peers to become better, more compassionate providers creating a more equitable healthcare system.