What is your hometown?
I grew up in Albert Lea, Minnesota, home of the Tigers.
How or when did you become interested in science and medicine, and what led to your decision to pursue becoming a Physician Assistant?
The first time I thought about the field of medicine was in seventh grade when we had our career week. I got to research four different occupations and one of those was ophthalmology. Once I began at St. Olaf College I set my sights on taking all of the courses necessary to apply to medical school. It was not until I finally asked my sister-in-law about her profession as a physician assistant that I had even heard of the field. She loves her job and its flexibility. She is able to work in health care and still has plenty of time with her family, which is the sort of balance I’ve always been hoping for. When I tell people about the PA career and why I chose it, it comes down to a great fit for my personality and my life goals outside of the medical field. I am looking forward to being a great practitioner, but most importantly devoting myself to being a great husband and father as well.
How or why did you choose the University of Iowa to attend the Physician Assistant program?
This program is one of the most challenging Physician Assistant (PA) schools in the country and the level of training we receive here is the best. What impressed me most about the University of Iowa PA Program was their genuine nature and modesty. Being ranked #1 in the country would seem to be something the faculty and staff would focus on, yet they were more proud of their students than anything else. I truly feel that this program looks out for the students and makes sure that each one of the 25 new students every year gets the same challenging and rewarding education. During the fall and spring semesters of our first year we get the chance to take several core classes with the second year medical students. This interaction between PA students and medical students is the beginning of a life long team effort to provide the best care for our patients.
Is there a teacher, mentor or UI Carver College of Medicine faculty member who has helped shape your education?
I cannot thank the Physician Assistant program faculty and staff enough. They are all amazing people and have been such a great support for me throughout this first year. They truly make you feel like part of a family when you join the program. There is no way that I could have made it through the intensity of the summer and fall courses without the help of my program.
What kinds of opportunities or advantages does being a PA student at Iowa provide? What about challenges?
Taking courses alongside the second year medical students has been a great advantage. Not only does it help develop a professional bond between the two careers, but I am constantly challenged to improve my skills as a future practitioner through interactions with the medical students. I enjoy the opportunity to discuss topics with them in our small groups and work alongside them during patient exams. This experience is unique for all of us in that it exposes future MDs to PAs early and allows them a chance to learn more about our profession and the level of training that we receive.
Please describe your professional goals and interests.
As a practicing PA I am looking forward to the advances that will be made in medical care throughout my career. The constant challenges and knowing that I will never stop learning are major reasons that I chose the medical field. Something that I am passionate about is educating anyone and everyone that is curious about what a physician assistant does. PAs are one of the fastest growing occupations and I am excited to be entering into a field that will play a major role in the success of health care in America. At this moment I am looking forward to my clinical rotations and being exposed to many different areas of medicine. I have specific interests in Oncology and Emergency Medicine.
What are some of your outside interests?
When I do have free time, I look forward to spending a lot of time with my family and friends. I was a canoe guide in the Boundary Waters for two summers, so I am anxious to get back up to Northern Minnesota for a canoe trip with my wife. My family has a cabin in Northern Minnesota as well, where we go fishing and relax while getting to watch our three nieces and one nephew grow up. I am a huge college basketball fan, so March is always a happy time for me. One last thing is that I brew beer with my brother and one of my friends-it is my favorite type of cooking.
Do you participate in any community service/outreach projects? If so, what are they and what have your experiences been?
Our PA class has a wonderful service committee that gets us out into the community to volunteer. We try to volunteer at least once a month somewhere in Iowa City, such as the Ronald McDonald House where we helped clean and pick up around the place. Another project was in regards to The American Academy of Physician Assistants goal to increase health literacy throughout the nation this year. We went to Mark Twain Elementary School and read “The Magic School Bus: Tour of the Human Body” to a group of kids and gave a book to each child.
Do you have an insight or philosophy that guides you in your work?
Through my experiences with family illness I am constantly reminded of what it is like to be on the other side of the white coat. Every time I get the chance to interact with a patient I remind myself of what it was like to be with my father and my sister as they were being treated for cancer. The amount of trust that our patients will put into us is humbling and I am determined not to let them down. My parents always expressed the importance of a hard work ethic and I know that is what got me into the University of Iowa PA Program and what will lead me to a fulfilling career in medicine.
If you could change one thing about the world (or the world of medicine), what would it be?
This is the beauty pageant question that I have never had the honor of answering. It is going to sound cliché, but can’t we all just get along? If I could change one thing about this world that we live in it would be to rid us of conflict and focus all of our energy on healing one another. There is too much time and money put into things that are counterproductive for the human race. For example, I would much rather see our efforts go towards providing medical care to those in need and finding a cure for cancer.
What one piece of advice you would give to students who are interested in applying to a Physician Assistant program?
My advice is to seek out an experience in the health care field, such as shadowing or even working as a nursing assistant for a year or two. This was what really solidified for me that I wanted to be a PA. I think each person will find their niche in medicine if they are able to experience the working dynamic of a health care team before pursuing a higher degree.
What do you see as "the future" of medicine?
I am a strong believer in the team aspect of practicing medicine and increasing efficiency while maintaining the greatest quality of care for each and every patient. Everyone should have access to medical care no matter what their background, and I hope the future of medicine allows PAs and physicians the opportunity to provide them the quality care they deserve.