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2021 Personal Statement 2

The document is a personal statement for physician assistant school that is under 5,000 characters. It discusses the applicant's motivation to become a PA, which started from observing hip implants corroding in patients and wanting to help patients. They gained experience as a physical therapy technician but wanted a more autonomous role. The applicant was moved by caring for a patient who suffered multiple strokes. Shadowing a PA demonstrated the versatility and patient-focused care of the profession. The applicant sees themselves in the shadowed PA and wants to provide leadership and empathy as a PA.

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296 views

2021 Personal Statement 2

The document is a personal statement for physician assistant school that is under 5,000 characters. It discusses the applicant's motivation to become a PA, which started from observing hip implants corroding in patients and wanting to help patients. They gained experience as a physical therapy technician but wanted a more autonomous role. The applicant was moved by caring for a patient who suffered multiple strokes. Shadowing a PA demonstrated the versatility and patient-focused care of the profession. The applicant sees themselves in the shadowed PA and wants to provide leadership and empathy as a PA.

Uploaded by

api-357053518
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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In your own words, write a brief statement expressing your motivation or desire to become a

physician assistant. Keep your statement general as it is shared with all programs you apply to. Your
essay cannot exceed 5,000 characters.

Personal Statement

Sitting in a cold basement laboratory, the clicking of the computer echoed as I photographed images of a
femoral hip implant. Due to recurring manufacturing mistakes, these implants were corroding in human
bodies. As the hours lapsed analyzing the data, I could not help but wonder who these patients were
that underwent hip surgery. I pondered what resulted in their hip fracture, how the surgery was done,
and how they felt afterward. This ultimately pushed my desire for patient interaction and holding a role
where I could inform them of their treatment plan, assist in surgery, and order the medication and
rehabilitation necessary.

Eager to become a healthcare professional, I began my journey as a physical therapy technician. I was
responsible for taking vitals, performing and monitoring exercises for the patient, and working
collaboratively with the physical therapists. I enjoyed the close patient interaction and the ability to
observe the therapists, but I was still aspiring for a more autonomous role. I wanted to be the
practitioner who would order the rehab, who would check up on the patient to see how their treatment
plan was going and to prescribe any needed changes to maximize patient outcomes.

One of our patients, in particular, had moved my aspiration to practice in the field of medicine and to
become a physician assistant. He had already suffered from two strokes, resulting in his left side to be
severely weak and immobile. Regardless, he always entered the clinic optimistic and was progressing
well through therapy. When he suffered yet again from another stroke, I felt helpless as I waited days to
hear of his status. The desire to be at the patient’s bedside in the hospital sparked again, and I wanted
to be in a role where I could provide direct care to save his life.

Since this experience, I have been actively pursuing the medical field. Through shadowing doctors and
physician assistants, I ultimately fell in love with the latter profession. Their versatility to practice
multiple specialties and the flexibility to spend more quality time with their patients fueled my
enthusiasm to pursue this career. Additionally, I was remarkably impressed by the level of leadership a
physician assistant held. Vicky, an orthopedic and internal medicine physician assistant who I shadowed,
often acted as the head practitioner. During afternoon rounds when the case manager, nurse, and
physician assistant would speak with the patient and family members about their care, Vicky always
took the lead. She would explain why the patient was in the hospital, their current status and any
changes that have fluctuated, and an estimate of when they would be discharged. I was moved by her
confidence to calm worried family members, take the lead to answer questions, and advocate for a
holistic treatment plan.
Shadowing Vicky also opened my eyes to the extent that physician assistants can provide personalized
care. One husband, in particular, was extremely anxious and pleaded for his wife to be discharged. She
was deteriorating from Parkinson’s disease and other complications, requiring consistent care around
the clock. Through these uneasy times, Vicky would frequently call him to advocate for the patient’s best
options and treatment plan. After every phone call, he would always feel more confident and at ease.
This demonstrated to me that no matter the difficulty in the situation, being patient and compassionate
will benefit not only the patient but loved ones as well.

Through Vicky’s leadership and display of empathy, I saw myself in her. As a community integration
counselor at Transitional Options, I had to confidently make decisions on my own. One-on-one shifts
with patients require me to advocate and enforce their treatment plan, even if they are reluctant to do
so. For one of my patients who had GLUT1 deficiency syndrome, her treatment required following a
strict diet and taking medications when there were complications. During uneasy times when the
patient was frustrated with her conditions, I found that displaying empathy allowed her to not only feel
comfortable around me, but it also diminished opposition to her treatment plan.

Additionally, as a goalkeeper for my university’s soccer team, I take ownership on and off the field. I
dictate commands and demonstrate leadership in the knowledge of the game. Yet, even as a leader,
being an effective team member is critical for achieving any goals. Just as Vicky collaborates with other
healthcare professionals on diagnoses and treatment plans, I listen to my team members’ inputs and
assure we are all working cohesively to optimize positive outcomes.

I respectfully ask for your consideration for admission to your program so that I may fulfill my goal of
becoming a physician assistant. I pledge to commit my utmost excellence to master the knowledge of
medicine, to be an effective team member as well as a leader, and to provide personalized and
dedicated patient care.

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