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.

I am a black, bisexual, cis-gender woman that exists where less than 5% of Physician Assistant identify like me. My experiences within the LGBTQA+ community have allowed me to understand, experience, and own the importance of vulnerability when intersecting all my identities, even if it causes discomfort, as it allows for dialogue and connection with others. Showing my authentic self will enable me to bring culturally competent care to historically underserved, vulnerable populations as a Physician Assistant(PA). I have learned from my experiences that people avoid care when they feel unseen, unheard, and disrespected by healthcare providers. Individuals who identify with LGBTQA+ experiences need to be proactively welcome and affirmed from the start. Being an out PA will help in the care I provide to my patients as I understand the importance of being represented and knowing you are not the only one in the room. As a PA I can empathize with the LGBTQA + community because individuals may be more willing to seek out medical care when they know someone will respect and affirm their identities, pronouns, and gender identity while providing medical care to them. Being out shows others that I am willing to be vulnerable while also advocating for the best care possible for my patients and that I am by their side. As a PA I will affirm my patients’ needs and will not be afraid to speak up when someone else is being mistreated. I plan to immerse myself in the community I live or work in, so as to understand better the people I will be helping and their lived experiences and challenges. I will establish community connections to build trust and form relationships that decrease the divide between community members and healthcare providers. I am always learning and re-educating myself as needed to ensure I know what is happening around me and work to find different solutions to help others. I actively listen to others' concerns or situations with empathy and compassion while reassuring patients they can meet their goals and adjusting care based on their needs. Furthermore, as a PA, I plan to improve the healthcare of individuals who have been systemically disadvantaged by listening to my patient's needs and concerns. Listening allows me to pause and observe what my patients are asking instead of pushing my preferred treatment plan. I strive to treat every patient with kindness and understanding because my background has shown me that sometimes the hardest decision a patient can make is entering a healthcare facility that may have traumatized them before. I will collaborate with other healthcare providers to advocate for my patient's needs and break down communication barriers. Sometimes this looks like stepping back, observing, and seeking to collaborate with other healthcare providers, community members, and programs to obtain the necessary services to help someone. I can acknowledge when I do not know the answer and am willing to proactively research and connect with someone else who may be better equipped to help my patients. I value the perspective others have when collaborating with team members because everyone has something to contribute. I am also able to recognize my mistakes and correct them when needed As a Physician Assistant, my goal is to care for the whole person and not judge them based on where they come from, how they identify, their background, or their past. I understand cultural humility in partnership with people experiencing vulnerabilities requires active listening, accountability, and willingness to treat the whole person. Sometimes this looks like providing accessible resources and being transparent about my capacity as a provider.

Take a Ride Some days I feel like I’m pushing against a wall One that doesn’t move an inch Other days I feel capable of doing the work I wake up and drink my water Shower & nourish my body In this moment I have full control Even if it lasts for a minute There are 60 minutes in an hour all I need is one To make the choice to try it and care If no one told you yet, RECOVERY is a RIDE! Come get on my mine This Rollercoaster has twists and turns Pulling me in multiple directions. Reminding me it's okay to be sad and exhausted The Work I’m doing isn’t easy Nor does it make me want to stay buckled in Many days and nights I want off this Ride Sometimes Recovery is overwhelming and breathless Those are the moments I recall why I try I’m doing this for my future self and younger one Who needed to be reminded they are worthy It's okay to ask for help and not struggle in silence My ride pushes me high sometimes the drops make me want to walk away Growth is uncomfortable It’s crying after a hard therapy session Feeling like you are back at square one Yet, you are far from it! Now you acknowledge the pain & fear Even if you still need grounding, IT’S OKAY!! Recovery recognizes sometimes it rains Other days it just doing the simples things to push through Getting to the next moment counts If all I can do is nourish myself that counts If I need to take the day off I will If I need another support group, I sign up I might’ve gotten on the ride but I control the destination of where it takes me I don’t have to do Recovery alone All I need is one person in my corner Rooting for me even on my hard days Sometimes that what's gets me to stay I recognize my supports looks different each day That’s okay Sometimes it's writing positive affirmations on the mirror & dancing to Beyonce Other times it riding the wave All while complaining the entire time Reflecting that today is not the day to do the work It’s saying I just need to sit here & be held because that all I have in me Letting my support systems remind me “ I’m Enough ” I’m worthy of Love and RECOVERY Allowing someone else to secure my crown with bobby pins when it shifts Falling down and taking rest days Recovery is a Ride It requires me to try Even on my darkest days Because the sun sets and rises each day My reminder that tomorrow I can try again Even if it lasts for a minute There are 60 minutes in an hour all I need is one To Choose me and nothing else I’m worthy of trying, love, and Kindness I’m not alone in this recovery journey