Graduate / As a life time student athlete I was devastated; CASPA narrative for PA school [11]

8 minutes was left on the clock and the home team was up by 10. The score couldn't begin to describe how close the game truly was. The arena was full and the fans were so crazed it was impossible to hear yourself think. The two rival conference teams exchanged leads multiple times throughout the battle and the visiting team refused to go down without a fight. The rival teams point guard came pummeling down the lane full speed in one last effort to triumph her team on a run to victory. As I stepped over to put an end to her crusade, I didn't know this moment would be a turning point in my life, the overstayed guest was adamant on getting to the basket. She crashed directly into me without a second thought. As we both lay on the floor, I heard a whistle blow, the referee called the penalty in my favor. My team and the fans cheered insanely. I tried to lift myself but soon realized I was unable to get up to join my troops in the celebration. I was helped off the court and directed to the training room to be examined. I then was taped and sent back out to the court to seal the victory. After the game, I got examined further and was diagnosed with a torn MCL. As a life time student athlete I was devastated. To my advantage, it was a small tear which would allow me to get back on the court sooner than layer, with the proper training and rehabilitation. I spent the next months spending more time with my health care providers than I did with anyone else.

My health care team consisted of a physician assistant, physical therapist, physician, athletic trainers, and my family. I was tremendously afraid and concerned by the time the PA came in to evaluate me. The PA entered my room and calmly began to explain my health care plan. She explained the procedures the healthcare team wanted to perform and why they were essential. After the procedures were over, she came back into my room to explain that I would begin my rehabilitation the next morning. She immediately explained the schedule of events and offered to answer any questions I had. I was astonished at her outgoing and compassionate manner when communicating with me. She treated me like a person, not just another patient. During, what I would consider one of the most stressful and uncertain times of my life, I made a mental and emotional connection to my PA. I knew from this moment on I would pursue my dream of becoming a PA to the fullest of my ability.

2013 Draft, China, CASPA, WNBA, and France were just some of the words crowding my mind after my final college game. No one wasted time asking what my plans were for the next part of my life. This is where my passion for the Physician Assistant profession was confirmed. When it came down to entering the WNBA draft or being a physician assistant, I was proud to start applying to PA school.

My desire for learning and my genuine love of helping others assures me that I will one day become a Physician Assistant who will go above and beyond to be the best medical care provider physically and emotionally possible. I know my undergraduate workload as a division one student athlete has prepared me for the intense curriculum of PA school. In my career at Eastern Illinois University I became the all-time leading scorer and set multiple records on the court while maintaining academic honor-ability as a student. This was a huge challenge because as an athlete it's very common to miss two or more days of class a week. This caused my workload to seem unbearable at times, with all the extra homework and study hours required to stay academically competitive. This experience has pushed me to become a more organized and attentive student. I'm confident that I will be able to conquer the immense curriculum in PA school.

Physician assistants have the medical responsibilities that I desire: being able to diagnose and treat patients while treating a person as a whole, taking into account mental and social factors and employing an all-inclusive approach with regards to the patient's emotional needs. While working in the ER, I realized the Physician Assistant career exemplifies the true meaning of patient advocacy. The PA always explained their plan of care while also engaging the patient in the conversation. She asked the patients about their concerns and was genuinely interested with their emotional well-being in addition to their physical state. Though, my involvement has been limited due to my previous basketball commitment, I've volunteered in the E.R. and Women's in Children's wing at Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospital. This opportunity gave me a chance to shadow both physicians' and physician assistants' very closely. I've witnessed countless of exams and diagnosis from both the physician and the physician assistant. This opportunity also permitted me to get a clear perspective of the everyday life of a physician assistant and I am ecstatic for the first time I get to exam and care for my first patient.