Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Campus Location
Colorado Campus

Hometown:
Denver, CO

Undergraduate studies:
BS in Biology from Gonzaga University.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a first generation college student alongside my sister who is a nurse. We could not have done it without my parents who are the most supportive humans anyone could ask for. I attended Gonzaga University for my undergrad (Go Zags!) where I met my best friends and people who really pushed me to be the best I can be and still do to this day. I also had the opportunity to study abroad in Madrid, Spain which ignited my love of travel and experiencing new cultures. Currently, I am a homebody thanks to the pandemic but prior I was traveling every 3-4 months or whenever my budget allowed. I scribed during my gap years at Emergency Departments across Denver and loved the experience as it has shown me the type of provider that I want to be. Being in PA school has been one of the hardest things I have done but has also been the most rewarding experience. I cannot wait for clinical year to get back into seeing patients again.

What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
I knew from when I was 16 that I wanted to pursue a career as a medical provider, however during my undergrad I did not have many opportunities to shadow. During my gap years, I scribed at Emergency Departments across the Denver area and worked alongside amazing providers. It was during that time that I was introduced to the PA profession and I knew it was the career for me for so many reasons but to just name a few; the autonomy, the flexibility and the opportunity to always learn and grow. I applied to schools all over the country, however when I interviewed at RVU I felt so welcomed by not only my colleagues I was interviewing with, but also the faculty and staff. I loved that RVU stressed teamwork and the non-competitive nature of the program.

What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests, and hobbies)?
I love traveling which has not been possible during the pandemic so I am very excited for my first trip after graduation. Other than that, my hobbies are now stay at home friendly; riding my peloton, watching reality TV, decompressing and eating Mexican food with family, cuddling my dogs (Pawco, Meeko and Chiquito), and facetiming with friends whenever our schedules align.

What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
I played basketball from the time I was in second grade through high school. I was the "shooter" always standing and ready to take a shot. I haven't played in years but I still love the game. Again, Go Zags!

What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
The best advice I've received is whenever I am feeling overwhelmed, stressed and like I cannot study another disease or pathway, I need to remember why I wanted to go into medicine in the first place. I need to remember the patient encounters I have had, remember how tough it was to go through the application and interview process and remember the unreal feeling of receiving the acceptance email from RVU. It still gives me chills to this day and always boosts my motivation.

What are your medical interests?
I loved my time working in the Emergency Department prior to entering PA school and I still love learning about acute care. I have heard that rotations will surprise you and could possibly change your plans so I am going into clinical year with a very open mind. I am passionate about working with underserved populations in the inner city and I am excited to get back to that.

What is a favorite memory you have from being in RVU?
I find it really hard to narrow it down but what comes to my mind is our Ultrasound workshop we had. We were able to perform FASTs on one another. It was so satisfying to see my own heart and my partner's heart on the machine as well as our kidneys, liver, spleen, and bladder. It felt very real that we are going to be providers in that moment and that we will be able to do this soon on our own patients.

What advice do you have for prospective students?
I would tell prospective students to never lose track of the big picture. Unfortunately, applying to school to become a medical provider (whether it be PA or DO or MD) will have you face rejection after rejection and it is very difficult not to take it personally and make you rethink your path. However, remember the reasons why you wanted to do this in the first place and keep going. Perseverance is necessary in all aspects of life and it is one of the greatest characteristics in medical providers in my opinion.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?
Going through PA school during a pandemic has been difficult to say the least. Attempting to make connections with classmates and faculty through a screen has brought on challenges that I did not expect when starting this journey but I think it has only made myself and my class more resilient than we ever thought we could be. I am so thankful for my classmates, my study group, and the faculty who have been doing all that they can to teach us how to become competent, collaborative and compassionate physician assistants. We're a quaran-team.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Campus Location
Colorado Campus

Hometown:
Long Beach, CA

Undergraduate studies:
Human Biology and Psychology with degree in Psych from Stanford University.

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
Class Council Vice President, RVU Diversity Committee, and Medical Spanish Interest Group.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I was born and raised in Long Beach, CA where I spent the majority of my life before moving to Colorado in 2016. After completing my formative education in southern California, I was blessed to receive a scholarship to Stanford University. I have cherished memories from my time as a Division 1 football player and student athlete on the farm. Shortly after graduation I moved to Barcelona to teach English and developed my Spanish language skills though now I'm a bit rusty so I definitely need to practice. Prior to PA school I worked at St. Joseph hospital in Downtown Denver as an emergency room technician. I currently reside in Denver with my lovely wife and 2 year old daughter.

What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
In addition to being close to home, RVU offered a competency-based program that I thought would prepare me well for the career ahead. I also found the willingness to take feedback and work to make the program better over time to be desirable attributes of a learning institution. I chose the Physician Assistant career path because I wanted to begin making an impact in the healthcare field as soon as I could and I like the idea of being able to work across specialties as my career develops.

What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests, and hobbies)?
. I enjoy spending time with my lovely wife and beautiful daughter. We enjoy being outside and hope to make camping a bigger part of our routine now that the little one is old enough. When I'm not reading for school I enjoy novels and the occasional science fiction adventure. Also, as a collegiate student-athlete, fitness and health have always been important so I like to stay active whether it's cycling, hiking, or whatever the day brings.

What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
I had the honor of attending the 50th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine and learn lessons from the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education decision from my uncle who was a member of the group, for several weeks in the fall of 1957, was escorted to and from class by the U.S. Army.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
Learning during the didactic year is kind of like the first-pass effect in metabolism. Don't worry if not everything that goes through your brain on the first go-around sticks.

What are your medical interests?
I'm quite excited to start clinical rotations in June and I think Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and surgery are all very interesting. Though, I can't wait to learn more about all the fields.

What is a favorite memory you have from being in RVU?
Even though it has been a zoom heavy year, we were able to play a modified version of codenames utilizing course specific clue words. It definitely challenges your brain in a new way but the interactive nature of the game was a welcome change of pace. 

What advice do you have for prospective students?
Take it one day at a time and remember that the medicine will always be there. If you need a break, take one and remember to check in on friends/family when you can. School can fly by but you'll remember the small wins more than anything.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?
School is challenging but how you frame the hurdles in your path can make a world of difference. Also, try your best to learn for understanding rather than solely for recall as it makes the learning process more fun and the neural connections that much stronger.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Campus Location
Colorado Campus

Hometown:
Manchester by-the-Sea, MA

Undergraduate studies:
Wake Forest University - B.S. Mathematical Economics .

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
OB/GYN Club; AMWA, AAPA, and CAPA.

What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
When I came across RVU I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from a brand new program, but it was a leap of faith that was worth taking. I got such a good feeling from the faculty and other students during my interview, and I have felt that same sense of community throughout my time here as well. RVU fosters a small, student-focused environment that allows you to build close relationships with classmates and professors alike.
Pursuing a career as a PA was always an easy choice for me. I have always been drawn to medicine, but I knew that the role of physician wasn't a perfect fit for me. I craved a role that would allow me the scope of practice to be able to manage patient's autonomously, but that would also provide more of a team-centric, collaborative approach to patient care. Being a PA will also afford me the ability to move around in my career and to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests, and hobbies)?
Much of my free time is spent exploring all of the hiking, scenic views, and craft beer that Colorado has to offer. I love catching a few rays of sunshine wherever possible, but when the weather keeps me indoors, you can find me in a spin class, cooking some variation of tacos, listening to podcasts, and diving into a good DIY project.

What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
I have never broken a bone!

What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
"Don't try to control the things that you cannot control." There are so many things in PA school and in life in general that will be beyond your control. It is a waste of time and energy to stress about these uncontrollable factors, and it won't make you feel any better. Instead, focus your energy on the things that you can control. If you did poorly on a test, don't argue it. Instead, rethink your study habits.

What are your medical interests?
I like little bits of everything that I have sampled while out on clinical rotations, but I would have to say that I am most drawn towards acute care and hospital medicine.

What is a favorite memory you have from being in RVU?
Some of my classmates and I made it a tradition to get brunch after every exam during didactic year. We would post-up at Snooze with stacks of pancakes and coffee and sit there chatting for hours on end. It was so much fun to have a few moments to decompress and recharge after a week or two of intense studying, and I will cherish all of those Friday hang-outs.  

What advice do you have for prospective students?
Think about where you are at right now. Think about how badly you want to go to PA school. Now, file that away in your brain for when times get tough. PA school is not easy, and the journey is not smooth. You might fall behind in sleep. You might have to miss out on a friends wedding, or a Holiday spent with your family. You might find the rigorous schedule to be frustrating and inconvenient. Whatever happens, however, you just have to continue to remind yourself why you are doing this and how grateful you are to be here, actively pursuing your dream.

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Campus Location
Colorado Campus

Hometown:
Los Angeles, CA

Undergraduate studies:
Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences with a Concentration in Anatomy and Physiology and a double minor in Biotechnology and Psychology.

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
I am a tutor for the first year PA class and a member of the Medical Spanish Interest Group.

Tell us a bit about yourself.
I grew up in Los Angeles, California. I attended California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for my undergraduate degree. After college, I moved to San Diego, CA where I worked in pre-clinical research and was a Certified Nursing Assistant and a Restorative Nursing Assistant for several years.

What initially brought you to RVU? Why did you decide to pursue this degree?
I have always had a strong interest in medicine and science. After completing my bachelor's degree and working in research, I found that I enjoyed the science aspect of research but wanted to explore a field with patient care. I felt that PA school at RVU was the right fit for me because I wanted to be in a profession where I would be working in a collaborative environment, yet have the autonomy to diagnose conditions, treat patients, and prescribe medication. My experience during my interview at Rocky Vista University left me with the unshakable feeling that RVU was where I belonged and where I would thrive.

What do you enjoy doing when not at RVU (family life, interests, and hobbies)?
I love cooking, running trails, going to the gym, and watching suspenseful/weird movies.

What is an interesting or little known fact about you:
I did a half-Ironman in college.

What is the best piece of advice you have been given by a professor or student while at RVU?
It is okay to be wrong and to make mistakes, so long as you learn and grow from your experience.

What are your medical interests?
Emergency Medicine and Family Medicine.

What advice do you have for prospective students?
Don't ever give up on your dreams! Be genuine and true to yourself and you will succeed in your career and life!

Hometown:
Broomfield, CO

Undergraduate studies:
Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
I currently serve as Class Representative for the PA 2021 class. I’m also a member of AMWA and I’m a tutor for the first year PA students.

Why did you choose RVU PA?
I chose RVU because the program fosters a supportive environment where every person you interact with is invested in your success. I felt welcome from the moment I arrived on interview day. The competency-based curriculum also drew me in because it evaluates learning and progress in a more holistic way.

What do you like most about RVU PA?
I love the bonds we have formed as a class. It feels like a family in the way that we all support each other. I also like that we can be involved in activities that connect with students outside of the PA program.

What are your medical interests?
I change my mind often as I get exposure to different fields, but currently I’m enjoying pediatrics and women’s health. Thankfully, as a PA, I can change specialties throughout my career.

What do you appreciate most about Colorado and the local area?
I’ve always been proud to call Colorado home. From the mountains to the cities, there’s always something to do or a new place to explore. The weather makes outside activities possible year round, and you never have to go more than a few days without seeing the sun.

What do you do in your spare time?
I love traveling, reading, baking, photography, and spending time with my family and friends.

What advice do you have for first-year students?
Schedule time for yourself in your busy week to relax, do something you love, or call a friend. Even 30 minutes can make a huge difference in your attitude.

Hometown:
Denver, CO

Undergraduate studies:
BS in Psychology with a Chemistry minor- University of Colorado Denver

Graduate studies, if applicable:
Master of Science in Medical Sciences- University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
RVU MC^2 Mentor, CMDA, SNMA Club, and Student Delegate for the AAPA Student Academy House of Delegates

Why did you choose PA?
Being a PA represented the collaboration, competence, and compassion I desired in my own personal pursuit of providing care for others. Understanding the history of the PA profession and seeing first-hand the impact of PAs in extending care to underserved populations drove my decision to become a PA. The competency-based curriculum and PA faculty at RVU is what drew me to this program.

What do you like most about PA?
I love that PAs have an opportunity to work within a healthcare team while maintaining autonomy as an independent clinician. As a PA I will enjoy the flexibility of lateral mobility within the profession and a better work life balance. Even though I'm still in training, I love the versatility afforded to PAs and the time spent providing patient education. Watching PA preceptors engage in shared decision making with the patient and members of the healthcare team has been amazing. I look forward to one day doing the same.

What are your medical interests?
Women's health, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Oncology, and Pediatrics.

What do you appreciate most about Colorado and the local area?
As a native, I enjoy Colorado's 4 seasons and the chance to get outdoors. I also frequent new restaurants and food trucks in the Denver area quite often although Covid restrictions has slowed this down a bit.

What are your plans after PA?
After PA school I plan on sitting for the PANCE and either applying for jobs as a new grad or applying for a one-year Advance Practice Fellowship.

What advice do you have for first-year students?
Breathe! Didactic year will be challenging, but if you're organized, manage your time well, and do little each day you will survive. As much as you can, try to review the lectures that were given the same day. I did this more toward the end of the year and wished I had done so from the beginning. Remember, Rome wasn't built in a day and your journey to PA-C is no different. Enjoy the ride!

What is your favorite class currently and why?
I loved Skills and Assessment! This is the course where you learn all of the physical exam and diagnostic skills you will use daily to diagnose illnesses and disease. Of all of the courses during didactic year, this one made my journey toward PA-C feel the most tangible. Practicing with my classmates and seeing standardized patients created some of the best memories.

Hometown:
Berthoud, CO

Undergraduate studies:
BS in Microbiology (Colorado State University)

Graduate studies, if applicable:
MS in Microbiology-Immunology (Colorado State University)

What clubs and activities are you currently invoved with?
PA 2021 Class Council Historian and I am also a tutor for the PA class of 2022.

Why did you choose PA?
I would be happy doing a lot of different things in life, but there is nothing I am more passionate about than medicine. I was really driven to the teamwork that it takes to provide compassionate care for others and the PA profession gives me just that. The ability to have flexibility in my career was also a major component in my decision. What do you like most about RVU PA? The curriculum was what initially drew me to RVU. I absolutely loved the idea of a competency-based medical program that is patient-focused and allows the learner to truly grow and excel as an individual. I believe this fosters a more collaborative learning environment. The faculty are also incredible here and are driven to help us succeed.

What do you appreciate most about Colorado and the local area?
As a Colorado native, I could not imagine living anywhere else. I love waking up for early morning sunrise hikes and then watching the sunset over the mountains while enjoying a beer at one of the many local breweries. Parker is such an outdoor friendly area with quick access to walking/biking trails. There are also a lot of great dog parks nearby for your furry friends too!

What are your plans after PA?
I hope to practice in family medicine for a number of years, then eventually apply to work a season down in Antarctica through the Center for Polar Medical Operations. After gaining enough experience in practice, my goal is to also teach physician assistant education part time.

What do you do in your spare time?
Anything outdoors really. I love spending time on the river fly fishing, camping, hiking, snowshoeing, and spending time with my dog. When not busy with school, I also really enjoy hanging out in my dad's shop building furniture.

What advice do you have for first-year students?
You deserve to be here! Everyone goes through periods of self-doubt, but remember you were picked for a reason and you are more than capable of success. I am a big fan of the preview, learn, review method for learning, so try to set yourself up for success early by getting in a routine and sticking to it.

Fun facts about you.
I hiked Mount Kilimanjaro in 2018 for my first trip outside of the United States.

Hometown: Darby, Montana
Undergraduate studies:
BS - Kinesiology and Health Promotion at the University of Wyoming

Graduate studies, if applicable:
MS – Clinical Exercise Physiology at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
AAPA student member currently; RVU AAPA student chapter president 2018-2019
Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Back Country Horsemen Chapter Member

Why did you choose PA?
I chose PA because I realized after 6 years of post-secondary education that I wanted to be in medicine. When I started looking at going back to school, I saw that PA programs really valued previous health care experience in choosing future health care providers. Also, PA school is very intense and requires a certain personality type and grit to be successful. My background as a clinical exercise physiologist really prepared me to take the next steps of pursuing a career as a PA.

What do you like most PA?
As a PA I will not only have autonomy as a health care provider but will have the ability to discuss difficult cases with my supervising physician. This unique characteristic of PA gives me confidence in knowing I will always be able to provide patients with the best care and advice.

What are your plans after PA school?
I am currently applying to primary care PA jobs in rural communities in Montana. I grew up in a rural town in Montana and really value the importance of community. There were several people in my hometown who helped elevate me in several ways to achieve my educational goals. I want to be a part of a community where I can give back as a health care provider, help patience focus on personal health goals, and improve their quality of life. Really embrace what it means to give back and pay it forward.

What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time I like to be outside biking, hiking, horseback riding, and fishing. I have a 9-year-old border collie that loves to accompany me on my outdoor adventures. I try to balance study and clinic time with at least 30-60 minutes of outdoor time each day for my mental and physical health.

What advice do you have for first-year students?
My advice to first-year PA students is to not be afraid to talk about how difficult didactic year is. You are not alone in your struggle to balance school and daily life. In my experience, PA school and life was easier to balance once clinical rotations started, so keep moving onward and look forward to some relief very soon.

Hometown: Lawton, Oklahoma

Undergraduate studies: Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry and Associates in Radiologic Technology

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with?
During didactic I was involved with CMDA.

Why did you choose PA?
I chose PA due to the shorter school length. This will allow me to be in a position to serve others faster.

What do you like most about PA?
The flexibility to change modality in the medical field. I also like the aspect of working alongside doctors to better improve the health of the community.

What are your medical interests?
Emergency medicine and Orthopedics.

What do you appreciate most about Colorado and the local area?
The scenery and the vast amount of outdoor activities to explore.

What are your plans after PA?
Work full time and continue to volunteer in my community.

What do you do in your spare time?
Exercising, playing video games, and spending time with my family. Being a veteran, I also enjoy volunteering at Fort Carson with the Navigator's discipling young solders to follow Christ.

Class: PAS II, inaugural cohort, graduating November 2020

Hometown: Craig, Colorado

Undergraduate studies: Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Biological Anthropology from the University of Colorado

Graduate studies: Master of Arts degree in Anthropology from Indiana University

What clubs and activities are you currently involved with? Last year, I was the State Chapter Student Representative for our student chapter of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. I am also involved with our program's PALS program, which connects students from the first and second cohorts to offer guidance and friendship.

Are you glad you chose RVU’s PA Program and why? Yes! I love being a part of a new program that values compassionate, competent care. It feels like RVU has a culture of respect and care toward students. Our faculty are approachable and open to dialoguing with us in effort to constantly improve. RVU staff also exude positivity and kindness toward students, whether security guards, library staff, or program staff. That makes a difference for us on busy, stressful days! As PA students, we basically spent our first year on campus all day, at least 5 days per week. Compared to lots of schools, the campus is a very convenient and comfortable place to essentially live, with easy parking, good study space, kitchen space, healthy snacks available, and a ping pong room for de-stressing (which my class used a TON!). The learning facilities, including the classrooms and cadaver lab, are excellent.

What do you like most about RVU’s PA Program? I love being a part of a small cohort of interesting people from a variety of backgrounds but with very similar goals. PA school is very challenging, and this program is no different. Having a fantastic class to go through it with makes a huge difference. Also, our faculty truly care about students, and they do an excellent job of developing relationships with us. They recognize that we are real people with complex lives, and they work with us to help us become the best new PAs we can be, while allowing us to deal with life stressors that come up.

What are your plans after the PA Program? I grew up in a small town in Northwestern Colorado, and I'm in love with the American West. I am hoping to work either in the Denver area, near where I grew up, or in Southern Colorado. I am most passionate about women's health, but I also enjoy primary care. I haven't yet found a specialty I haven't enjoyed.

What do you do in your spare time? I'm currently expecting my first baby, so I spend a lot of time getting ready for that new challenge! But I also make time for exercise, cooking, and the occasional weekend camping and hiking trip.

What advice do you have for first-year PA students? PA school is fast and furious, and you definitely have to be all-in from the start. That said, it is crucial to continue healthy habits to take care of yourself to keep performing your best. You might end up sleeping and exercising a little bit less than usual in the first year, but don't get too carried away! Try to see your friends and family when you can! Taking care of myself helps me maintain perspective while juggling a lot of hard work. I try to keep in mind that my goal is to be the best PA possible for my future patients. My education should center around that rather than fussing over every little exam question or assignment.

Fun facts about you: I was an exchange student to the Canary Islands in high school where I gained fluency in Spanish. I've worked as an interpreter in the past, and I love using this skill to connect with monolingual Spanish-speakers. I love doing canoe and raft trips during the summer, and I hope to get back to that after PA school. Also, I am growing a tiny human! I originally planned to start my family around the time of graduation, once rotations were over, but the COVID-19 pandemic has interfered with that timeline a bit. There's no stopping this train now, so I'm gearing up to take it all on!