A Perspective

My passion for healthcare was evident from an early age. When I was sixteen I volunteered as a candy striper. I donned the emblematic “vest” each day and offered my services from delivering meals to ensuring a newspaper to patients awaiting discharge. Sometimes, I would just sit with a patient and hold their hand and listen to their stories.  I didn’t know it then, but the humanity I experienced with so many of these patients was an introduction to a lifelong venture in health care.

While in college (Pre-Med), I took the EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) course and exam. This was a revealing experience that gave insight into lives unimagined in my cloistered existence, and a new-found sympathy for those suffering at the cruel turn’s living can take. Life-altering accidents and medical issues never imagined until they become the new reality.

After two years of college, I elected to join the US Army (after personal inspiration from someone close to me). This led into a role in the medical diagnostic laboratory, working first at the bench and then in a supervisory role. I saw what regulations like CAP and JCAHO did for improving quality care and had the opportunity to bring two labs up to these standards and then managed a hospital POC (point-of-care) testing program. It was also the time of CHCS (Composite Health Care System), used by the Armed Forces as a medical informatic system. That glimpse into the power of informatics was a harbinger of what has become the Electronic Medical Records and Informatics revolution. While I was proud to serve my country and to be in the laboratory aspect of Medicine, I could never forget holding the hands of so many of those patients as a candy striper and wishing for all the world that I could do something more for them.

Upon an honorable discharge following 6+ years of service, I continued my education by completing a Bachelor of Science in laboratory medicine, while working in both academic (Johns Hopkins – under Dr. Brooks Jackson) and basic (Center of Marine Biotechnology – under Dr. Rita Colwell) research.  I witnessed the struggles of PhD candidates working diligently on their dissertations, and the hours and dedication needed to address the seemingly endless existing and emerging health challenges, including one of the most daunting challenges, the emergence of HIV. I had the honor to see the breakthrough of Nevirapine for HIV, and to play a supporting role in bringing this revolutionary therapy to those afflicted with such a devastating virus. In truth, I was excited to be a part of the success. 

After graduation, I still recalled my days as a Candy Striper, and my desire to somehow make patient lives better. For direct patient care, this meant achieving status as a Medical Provider (Physician/Doctor or Advanced Practice Practitioner). While well qualified for either track, I elected for a Physician Assistant.  Fifteen years later and having worked as a hospital-based PA-C in Cardiology, Critical Care and Internal Medicine, I don’t regret this career path.  It’s fast paced, high stress and emotionally exhausting, but amazingly rewarding.

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