What are your career goals/academic goals?

I am currently working as a general surgery PA, which was my first job after completing my degree. My goal is to further my knowledge in this field and continue to love what I do. In 5 years, spreading that love and knowledge to PA students and future PA students through precepting and/or teaching. I would also love to eventually transition into specialized surgery.

Why did you choose to pursue your graduate degree at Marist? Why did you choose to pursue this degree program?

I completed my undergraduate degree at Mount Saint Mary college, and the Hudson Valley became a special place to me. I saw myself making this place a home in the future so getting accepted to Marist was a dream come true! There are also so many great surrounding hospitals and medical offices that impacted me completing my Masters. Marist has a great reputation and I can attest that it is well deserved.

Tell us about a project or course that was particularly meaningful to your professional development/academic development.

Every course offered in this program is vital to becoming a well-rounded PA, however, our pharmacology course taught by Professor Chiavetta is one course that I feel was meaningful to me. I find myself still looking back at the course slides while working today. Our professor was wonderful, and I still implement what I learned at my job.

Tell us about a meaningful experience you had at Marist as it pertains to your degree.

It would be hard to choose just one meaningful experience at Marist, but I would say my clinical year in general was very special. I entered PA school unsure of what specialty I would choose to work in following my degree. It was truly remarkable how clinical year impacted my life including experiences with patients and preceptors. My surgery rotation showed me that I was meant to be a surgical PA!

What advice would you give to a student considering pursuing this degree at Marist?

One of the best decisions I have ever made was deciding to pursue a master’s in physician assistant studies. My advice is if you find yourself struggling, ask for help. Never be ashamed to utilize the resources around you. Every professor involved with the PA program is there because they care about the profession and each of them have a unique set of skills and expertise to share.