October 31, 2023

Where did you grow up?
I grew up in a suburb a bit outside of Pittsburgh, PA called Plum Borough.

Why did you choose the PA profession?
I chose the PA profession because I enjoy taking care of people but doing so in a way that I have ample time to connect and get to know them individually, while having the collaborative influence and weight behind my ideas to contribute to their care plans. As a patient, I always felt PAs were the best at identifying with me as an everyday person and making me feel empowered and in control of my medical care. I hope to do the same for others.

Why did you choose the bridge program at Drexel instead of more traditional, 4-year undergraduate degree at another university?
I think everyone’s time is valuable, and because I felt both passionate and certain about the path I had in mind for myself, I pursued it aggressively! The bridge program allowed me to complete my undergrad and graduate PA training in 5.25 years, as opposed to 6-6.5 years in traditional BS/MHS programs. I admired the city of Philadelphia for its unique opportunities with underserved patient populations and its health care systems (and of course, the food too), and Drexel was one of the few universities in Pennsylvania who offered a bridge program at the time.

How did the Health Science program prepare you to be successful in the PA program?
The health science program provided not only all of the hard science courses such as biology, chemistry, anatomy and genetics, but also required a fair number of credits in social sciences such as public health and sociology. I feel that between the strong foundation in social science and professors tending to lean into direct professional application it helped prepare me for the modern-day health care environment and made me feel competent in communicating with patients. All prerequisites for CASPA are able to be satisfied with the courses offered in the Health Science program.

Where did you complete your undergraduate co-op?
I completed my undergraduate co-op with Drexel CNHP in the department of research. I mainly worked on a project, co-led by Dr. DiMaria-Ghalili, that studied the impact of ultrasound technology as it relates to the healing of diabetic wounds and venous ulcers. We conducted our research with participants at Temple Foot and Ankle Institute.

Where did you start to obtain your 500 hours of patient care needed to apply to the PA program?
I started by applying to a hospital in Pittsburgh that offered a paid nursing assistant training program. I trained for a few weeks and transitioned into a part-time float pool nursing assistant. I would highly recommend taking advantage of a float pool system as a student, as you are exposed to a variety of patient populations and medical sub-specialties. It also is a great way to get introduced to different types of health professionals, their careers and what role they play in patient care.

What student organizations at Drexel should students consider joining if they’re interested in becoming a PA?
Drexel Pre-PA club, Drexel EMS, Macy Undergraduate Leadership Fellows Program and Sanitation Health Aid Relief Project (SHARP)

What advice would you offer to a student who’s considering applying to the bridge program?
My advice to a potential bridge student would be to stay on top of your goals/timeline but also explore! It is a lot of work (academically and professionally) crunched into a short amount of time, but don’t let that deter you from saying yes to outside experiences. It is very doable to join clubs, take a course or two for fun and make all of the core memories college has to offer. It makes for a more well-rounded provider down the line. You will definitely learn to balance work/life ahead of most of your peers, and it is an incredibly rewarding journey.

What music is currently on your playlist?
Lots of indie, and some shoegaze lately- Always quick to recommend the band Japanese Breakfast

What is an item on your bucket list?
I would love to travel to Serbia and Croatia for a joint trip. My family is Serbian in background, and we still celebrate some fun cultural traditions like Serbian Christmas, so I would love to visit someday.

Where is your favorite vacation spot?
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – my late aunt’s favorite place to visit, and even live for parts of the year.

Tell us one fun fact about yourself that may not be on your resume.
I was a dancer for 15 years! I danced ballet, pointe and lyrical.