April 26, 2021

Gabrielle Cook

Where are you from?
I was born in Reading, PA and raised in Lancaster, PA.

Where did you do your undergraduate work?
I graduated from George Mason University in 2017 with a BS in Biology.

Why did you choose the PA profession?
To fulfill my ambition to positively impact the quality of life of those in need, both personally and professionally. The PA profession personifies my desire to work as a member of a healthcare team, tackling both every day and unique challenges while continuously striving to further my education and self-growth. The flexibility of the profession allows potential change throughout one’s career and supports my ideal work-life balance.

Why did you choose Drexel University PA program?
Drexel University’s PA program is a successful, well-established program with a mission statement that aligns with my own personal goals. The focus to improve healthcare delivery in rural/urban medically underserved areas with the purpose to educate qualified PAs and promote the PA profession is the primary reason why I chose Drexel’s PA program. Furthermore, my father and brother are both Drexel alumni, which offered me insight into the quality of Drexel’s programs along with subsequent career opportunities and professional success. Additionally, I have always been drawn to the diversity and inclusion embodied by the City of Philadelphia. Go Birds!

What music is currently on your playlist?
I listen to variety of pre-created playlists on Spotify, ranging from indie-pop to hip-hip/R&B.

What is an item on your bucket list?
To embark on a worldwide, multicultural food tour.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
The Jersey Shore – Stone Harbor, Avalon and Cape May.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself that may not be on your resume.
I played on the U.S. Soccer Olympic Development Program (ODP) Regional Team.

Christian Munoz Pineda

Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Pereira, which is the main city in the Colombian coffee region.

Where did you do your undergraduate work?
I began my undergraduate work at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Being an English as a second language student, I started with the entry-level English classes and then moved on to more science-focused courses. Then, I transferred to UNC-Asheville where I majored in Cellular and Molecular Biology.

Why did you choose the PA profession?
I have chosen the path of becoming a PA because this profession values diversity, compassion and life-long learning. The joy of making a difference in someone's life is something that I want to experience in my career. When shadowing a PA, I saw that she had the ability to make an impact in two different fields: gastroenterology and urology. It is this ability of being able to have lateral mobility without having to go back and retrain that makes the profession a good fit for me.

Why did you choose Drexel University PA program?
The main reason I chose Drexel’s PA program is that when looking at the program’s curriculum, mission and W. W. Oaks Student Society, it was clear that serving patients and delivering quality healthcare is crucial to this program, especially in underserved areas. This aligns with my goal of improving healthcare for those patients who have had so many barriers to care. My experience and the knowledge that I will acquire at Drexel will allow me to carry out this vision in a newly enhanced role.

What music is currently on your playlist?
In no particular order: Sylvan Esso, Rosalía, Kali Uchis, Ozuna, Manuel Turizo, Esteman, Monsieur Periné and Christine and the Queens.

What is an item on your bucket list?
To visit Taiwan.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Some of my favorite places have been Havana, Bangkok and Tokyo.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself that may not be on your resume.
It would have to be dancing. I really enjoy dancing to Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, Cumbia, Reggaeton or Vallenato. It is such a workout, stress reliever and a perfect way to reconnect with my culture.