Graduate / IMPORTANCE OF EXERCISE; Physician Assistant [2]

In the space provided write a brief statement expressing your motivation or desire to become a physician assistant. Keep your statement general as the same essay will be sent to all schools you will apply to. Your statement must be written in your own words and may not exceed 5,000 characters (not words).

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Dr. Robert H. Butler once said, "If exercise could be purchased in a pill, it would be the single most widely prescribed and beneficial medicine in the nation." As a PA, my role in primary care would assist me in enacting this meaningful movement in a profound way.

In 2010, I was given the task of helping an individual - a JMU professor - go from complete sedentarism to living an active lifestyle. I had just begun personal training at JMU's University Recreation Center, and little did I know this would be the client that fostered my deep interest in the medical field, and specifically the PA profession. Nerves were high, but I was ready to face the task presented before me.

The path to success for this individual was far from linear, with many obstacles needing to overcome. We would have exercise sessions together three times per week, and because of his weight loss goals, the sessions were demanding. At times, tensions and relapse risk were high, but my motivating and dedicated attitude could not handle seeing him fail.

This client persevered even through all of his job stress and family commitments. After two years, this individual had lost 75 pounds and his muscular endurance and strength has increased beyond what he thought possible. This individual had overcome immense adversity, and he deserved every bit of accomplishment that he achieved. While this great success was admirable, it was later events that set me in the PA direction.

With every success, comes more challenges, and this particular individual was no exception. He possessed back problems and a thyroid condition that exceeded my scope of care. As a personal trainer, my job was to help facilitate healthy exercise habits for people, not necessarily diagnose and treat medical conditions. I would try exercises and stretches with him to help ameliorate his back pain, but there was a large part of me wishing that I could do more.

This is when I realized the limitations of my current profession. As a personal trainer, I could not diagnose, could not prescribe, and could not treat injuries and illnesses. The idea of physician first entered my mind, as I would possess all of those aforementioned capabilities. However, the rigorous amount of time and costly expenditures prevented me from pursuing that career, as I wanted to enter the workforce in my mid 20s.

I arrived at my solution during my internship at Rockingham Memorial Hospital. I described to my supervisors my career goals, and they suggested that I shadow a PA to see if it sparked any intrigue. I had only heard of this profession in passing, and did not fully comprehend their role in healthcare at the time.

I took the nurses advice, though, and I shadowed a heart and vascular PA. I followed the PA around and observed as he visited with his patients. As I watched him communicate with his patients, it was evident that his compassion and desire to help emanated in way that really connected with his patients. He truly cared for his patients and they fully trusted his decisions in care.

Just as I referred to my employer for help with exercises, it was beneficial to know that PAs also have a supervising physician to help them out when they the need arises. After shadowing that same PA a few more times, I started to see the parallels between us. Both him and I have a desire to help others in need, enjoy having others to collaborate with when solving problems, and enjoy having autonomy in the workforce.

The PA profession is one that resonates with me in a profound way. Unlike personal training, as a PA I would be able to help people by providing conventional medical treatment, and still promote the ideas of healthy diet and lifestyle that are reflective of my undergraduate background. I would like to be able to come back to my personal training client and help him - and many others - in ways I simply cannot do with my current scope of practice. I can assure you that my dedication to excel in this field is insurmountable, and given the chance, will become an invaluable member of the PA profession.

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Would appreciate any and all feedback, thanks!