My interest in becoming a Physician Assistant began about a year ago, after excelling in Anatomy & Physiology and knowing

I had a passion for understanding the human body. After job shadowing this past summer for about 75 hours at Negaunee Medical Clinic and Jacobetti Home for Veterans, I became convinced that this was the right career path for me to follow. I began to understand the joy that PAs receive from working with patients, and how each and every one of them is unique and special. I was able to learn a considerable amount of information from personal skills to technical and medical skills, and see that this was what I wanted to spend my life doing, helping others. As a Co-Captain on the NMU Dance Team for the past 2 years, I have learned what hard-work and dedication really mean as I have helped bring the team in a new direction. We have faced many struggles through performance abilities, working with our peers, and not having a coach, therefore being self-directed. I have demonstrated my leadership skills, and my strong beliefs of never giving up and striving for our best. I have been able to utilize my problem-solving skills, creativity, and organization. Also, through working with others and being a teammate, I have a better understanding of my limits and strengths and weaknessessuch as becoming more patient. Being a member of the NMU Dance Team requires one to be strong, passionate, and caring; these are all skills needed to be a PA. Also, it is a large time-commitment, causing one to think about others more before thinking about yourself. I always strive for the best, as I would in practicing medicine. I aspire to work as a Physician Assistant in a childrens hospital, as well as travel to a third-world country and volunteer as a PA. My commitment to education and intelligence shows through my 3.99 GPA after five semesters at Northern Michigan University as a Community Health Education/Pre-PA major. As a dance teacher working about 10 hours a week at New Attitudes Dance Studios, working part-time at Tourville Apartments, participating on NMU Dance Team, and going to school full-time, I stay busy and organized. In addition, I consider myself to accept and embrace change. This is a trait required of Physician Assistants as they often switch from one specialty of medicine to another, and learn everything about this position through on-the-job training. In conclusion, the Physician Assistant profession has become very competitive. I view this as a challenge and an opportunity to push myself and grow to be the best I can be. I have the ability to work well with others, be a team-player and push through obstacles. Being kind-hearted and loving would allow me to focus on the patient as a person and their emotions, and not strictly on their health. Through NMU Dance Team I have learned to be flexible and achieve the impossible. I believe I am a great applicant for Physician Assistant School and have high expectations to fulfill my commitment to help others in the health field and make a difference in each of their lives.