The Physician Assistant (PA) profession requires a blend of technical expertise, empathy, and adaptability—qualities that are essential for making an impact in healthcare. Throughout my journey, I’ve witnessed these traits in PAs, and these experiences have shaped my approach to patient care, solidifying my commitment to becoming a PA. I first encountered the PA profession in high school during a pre-health summer camp designed for minority students at the University of Florida. There, I shadowed a PA in gastroenterology, initially hesitant due to my discomfort with the specialty, fecal matter to be specific. However, I soon saw how the PA’s autonomy and ability to manage a wide range of patient issues made a real difference. Her compassionate communication and skillful approach inspired me to pursue the PA path. I aspired to combine expertise with empathy, offering care that respects both the patient and the profession. Compassion is essential for effective patient care. While volunteering and working in healthcare settings, I’ve learned the importance of treating patients as individuals with unique needs. One experience stands out from my time as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA). I was assigned a dementia patient who was visibly distressed but couldn’t explain why. Unsure how to help, I remembered a lesson from a Psychiatric PA I had shadowed: “Supporting your patients is not exclusive to providing medicine. Compassion and empathy can be powerful healers.” I sat with the patient, reassured her, and spent the remainder of my shift offering her company. This reinforced that an impactful PA must not only deliver clinical care but also provide emotional support, offering comfort when patients feel vulnerable. Empathy is also about understanding patients’ backgrounds and circumstances. In 2019, I joined a medical mission trip to Cusco, Peru, where I worked with a Physician-PA team in underserved communities. There, I saw the importance of culturally competent care, as PAs connected with patients from diverse backgrounds. Coming from a Hispanic family that faced poverty in the Dominican Republic (DR), I saw how limited healthcare access affected people's lives. Witnessing the PAs’ dedication inspired me to one day lead medical missions to the DR, ensuring that underserved populations receive skilled, compassionate care. Until then, I continue to support my family’s nonprofit organization, Manos de Amor en Cristo, which provides essential resources such as food, clothing, and hygiene products to underserved communities in the DR. Collaboration is another key quality in an impactful PA. I’ve observed PAs excel in multidisciplinary teams, working closely with physicians, nurses, and other providers to deliver optimal care. Effective collaboration is not only about sharing knowledge—it’s about respecting each team member’s expertise. In my work as a scribe, I saw how PAs and physicians navigated complex cases by combining their skills. I believe a successful PA must balance autonomy with effective teamwork. Finally, resilience is critical. I’ve seen PAs and physicians handle difficult cases with grace and dedication. Growing up in a family that faced healthcare and financial challenges taught me the value of perseverance. Whether working long shifts as a CNA or handling fast-paced environments as a scribe, I stay focused on providing the best care for patients, no matter the challenge. Currently enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program at the University of Tampa, I continue to develop the qualities that make a successful PA. Compassion, empathy, collaboration, and resilience are not just attributes I admire—they are qualities I strive to embody every day. As I progress in my journey, I’m confident that I will be prepared to make a lasting impact as a compassionate, skilled, and dedicated Physician Assistant.