I know it's too long and I'm not a great writer so any help would be appreciated! Be brutal! Thanks!
Being born in a third world country has shaped me into the person I am today. I grew up in a small beach town in South Africa. Although it was a beautiful place, it was not the safest place to raise a family. My parents packed up and decided to move to the United States in 1995. I was only five years old, being so young, I did not recognize the sacrifices my family was making. Looking back now, I realize how brave my parents were. They left everyone they had ever known, all so they could provide a better life for me and my brother. My father was a chemical engineer and we moved from state to state until we finally found our niche in Savannah, Georgia. I am so blessed to have parents that sacrificed so much so their children could have the amazing opportunities that we do. I want nothing more than to make them proud and let them know that I appreciate everything they have done for me.
Though my family's hardships, I've learned that you have to work hard for the things you want in life. I've always been intrigued by the medical field and knew that it was something I wanted to pursue; I also knew it would be a long hard road before I could get there. Back in South Africa the medical needs are extreme. There are children we beg to survive because their parents have died of AIDS. Rare diseases and parasites that I learned about in my undergrad classes are common sicknesses back in Africa. Even the population in the cities of Durban and Johannesburg, including my family, are commonly diagnosed with parasites and other vector borne diseases. Emerging diseases, parasitilogy, and microbiology were some of my favorite classes during my undergrad, and it confirmed my decision that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field.
With such an array of opportunities in the health care field I began researching different options. I thought about nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, medical school, and of course being a physician assistant. I was first introduced to the idea of becoming a physician's assistant through a family friend. It was obvious while talking to him that he was passionate and genuinely loved his job. I began shadowing him as much as I could starting my freshman year of college. I noticed how he was always able to make the patients smile and put them at ease. I admired how thoroughly he explained illnesses to his patients. They respected and trusted him, so much so, that some would even request to see him over the doctor. I noticed that for Tim, his most important concern was always the patients. With the Doctors, who I also spent time shadowing, they spent more time worrying about the business side of things. This is one of the reasons I have decided that a PA would be a better fit for me. Tim has been a huge role model for me as a PA. An important lesson Tim taught me was that when working as a PA you aren't just working for yourself or your doctor, but your performance is a reflection of all PAs in the community. I know how important it is as a PA to be confident and to make sure your patients are getting the quality of care they would get from any physician.
While in college I spent time volunteering at a local free health care clinic, The Hearts and Hands Clinic. The patients there were in dire need of medical attention and with the limited resources we had there, we had to continually turn patients away. I reminded me of the times I had spent with my Aunt and Grandmother in South Africa who spent time volunteering at an AIDS clinic. They had no medical background, but they were there to lend a hand and comfort the patients. While at the Statesboro clinic, I wasn't able to cure the patients, but I was there to help the doctors by taking vitals, and by helping the patients fill out paperwork who were unable to do it by themselves. My time there was very rewarding and reminded me how badly I wanted to help those in need. In addition to volunteering at the clinic, I also continued to shadow several PAs and spent time with Nurse Practioners and doctors as well.
After graduating from Georgia Southern University I began working part time at Savannah Orthopedic Foot and Ankle with Dr. Steven Shapiro. The staff there has been very supportive of my decision to attend PA school, and they are teaching me everything and anything they can. I've worked the front desk greeting patients, scheduling appointments, communicating with insurance companies, interpreting lab results, and much more. I've also spent time in the clinic working alongside Dr. Shapiro, mainly observing and being taught along the way.
I also work part time at Horizon Rehabilitation, a physical therapy clinic. I spend time guiding patients through their exercises and keeping them occupied. I'll admit I'm not always the life of the party, but working here has forced me to break out of my shell, and I'm so thankful for it. Most of the time patients walk in with pain on their faces, but with care and a little conversation you can turn their day around.
When I do become a PA I fully intend on giving back to my community, here in American and overseas. I would love to be involved in medical mission trips to places like South Africa. I've seen firsthand how helpless the people are that live there, and volunteering my time and knowledge is the least I can do. Becoming a PA would make my family so proud and would let them know that all their sacrifices have been worth it. I want nothing more than to become to Physician's Assistant. I've never been so excited about my future and I can't wait for this new chapter to begin.
Being born in a third world country has shaped me into the person I am today. I grew up in a small beach town in South Africa. Although it was a beautiful place, it was not the safest place to raise a family. My parents packed up and decided to move to the United States in 1995. I was only five years old, being so young, I did not recognize the sacrifices my family was making. Looking back now, I realize how brave my parents were. They left everyone they had ever known, all so they could provide a better life for me and my brother. My father was a chemical engineer and we moved from state to state until we finally found our niche in Savannah, Georgia. I am so blessed to have parents that sacrificed so much so their children could have the amazing opportunities that we do. I want nothing more than to make them proud and let them know that I appreciate everything they have done for me.
Though my family's hardships, I've learned that you have to work hard for the things you want in life. I've always been intrigued by the medical field and knew that it was something I wanted to pursue; I also knew it would be a long hard road before I could get there. Back in South Africa the medical needs are extreme. There are children we beg to survive because their parents have died of AIDS. Rare diseases and parasites that I learned about in my undergrad classes are common sicknesses back in Africa. Even the population in the cities of Durban and Johannesburg, including my family, are commonly diagnosed with parasites and other vector borne diseases. Emerging diseases, parasitilogy, and microbiology were some of my favorite classes during my undergrad, and it confirmed my decision that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field.
With such an array of opportunities in the health care field I began researching different options. I thought about nursing, dentistry, physical therapy, medical school, and of course being a physician assistant. I was first introduced to the idea of becoming a physician's assistant through a family friend. It was obvious while talking to him that he was passionate and genuinely loved his job. I began shadowing him as much as I could starting my freshman year of college. I noticed how he was always able to make the patients smile and put them at ease. I admired how thoroughly he explained illnesses to his patients. They respected and trusted him, so much so, that some would even request to see him over the doctor. I noticed that for Tim, his most important concern was always the patients. With the Doctors, who I also spent time shadowing, they spent more time worrying about the business side of things. This is one of the reasons I have decided that a PA would be a better fit for me. Tim has been a huge role model for me as a PA. An important lesson Tim taught me was that when working as a PA you aren't just working for yourself or your doctor, but your performance is a reflection of all PAs in the community. I know how important it is as a PA to be confident and to make sure your patients are getting the quality of care they would get from any physician.
While in college I spent time volunteering at a local free health care clinic, The Hearts and Hands Clinic. The patients there were in dire need of medical attention and with the limited resources we had there, we had to continually turn patients away. I reminded me of the times I had spent with my Aunt and Grandmother in South Africa who spent time volunteering at an AIDS clinic. They had no medical background, but they were there to lend a hand and comfort the patients. While at the Statesboro clinic, I wasn't able to cure the patients, but I was there to help the doctors by taking vitals, and by helping the patients fill out paperwork who were unable to do it by themselves. My time there was very rewarding and reminded me how badly I wanted to help those in need. In addition to volunteering at the clinic, I also continued to shadow several PAs and spent time with Nurse Practioners and doctors as well.
After graduating from Georgia Southern University I began working part time at Savannah Orthopedic Foot and Ankle with Dr. Steven Shapiro. The staff there has been very supportive of my decision to attend PA school, and they are teaching me everything and anything they can. I've worked the front desk greeting patients, scheduling appointments, communicating with insurance companies, interpreting lab results, and much more. I've also spent time in the clinic working alongside Dr. Shapiro, mainly observing and being taught along the way.
I also work part time at Horizon Rehabilitation, a physical therapy clinic. I spend time guiding patients through their exercises and keeping them occupied. I'll admit I'm not always the life of the party, but working here has forced me to break out of my shell, and I'm so thankful for it. Most of the time patients walk in with pain on their faces, but with care and a little conversation you can turn their day around.
When I do become a PA I fully intend on giving back to my community, here in American and overseas. I would love to be involved in medical mission trips to places like South Africa. I've seen firsthand how helpless the people are that live there, and volunteering my time and knowledge is the least I can do. Becoming a PA would make my family so proud and would let them know that all their sacrifices have been worth it. I want nothing more than to become to Physician's Assistant. I've never been so excited about my future and I can't wait for this new chapter to begin.
