“When you reflect on your time here, I hope you will remember this day — the energy of being surrounded by your loved ones, the joy of celebrating your classmates, the pride of achieving your goal and the promise of what your future holds,” Koch told the graduates. “You represent the very best of what it means to be a Gator PA, and I wish you continued success and happiness throughout your career.”

Hear from three members of the class of 2021 as they reflect on what drew them to the health care field and their hopes for the future.

“I spent 10 years as a helicopter pilot in the Navy, where I flew search and rescue, medevac, logistical and tactical missions all over the world. I enjoyed being part of medevacs because I found it intrinsically satisfying to help someone when they’re in dire need of it. I would be in the cockpit directing the mission, coordinating where to take the patient and what level of care was needed, while others would be in the back of the helicopter with the patient. And I always wished I could be with the patient. I hated lying in bed at night not knowing what happened to the patient – were they OK? Did they save the limb? And that was when I knew I needed to not be in the cockpit anymore. As a PA, I like that I’ll get to spend time with patients while still making high-level decisions and performing complicated procedures; it’s the perfect balance of compassionate patient care and challenging medical decision-making. I’m excited to continue training and laying a foundation with treating veterans through a primary care residency at the North Florida-South Georgia Veterans Health System.”

“When I was in ninth grade, my school bus was involved in a pedestrian accident. There was a lot of commotion on the bus, some of my peers were crying and scared, but I maintained my composure and my first inclination was to find a way to help. Luckily there was an off-duty police officer who was able to administer aid, but from that moment on I had a passion for wanting to help people. I always liked science and math and learning about anatomy, but that experience made me realize I wanted to pursue medicine. As a PA, I’ll be focused on orthopaedics. Growing up as an athlete I’ve had tons of injuries, and I’ve found that orthopaedics can really change a person’s quality of life. I want to help patients get back to doing the things they love, and I hope patients see me as someone willing to do whatever is needed to get them to where they want to be.”

“I remember when I was in elementary school in Albania, Peace Corps volunteers came to my classroom to give immunizations and care packages. I looked up to them and developed a passion for service. I wanted to be those people, and I wanted to give back. I came to the U.S. in 2008 with my family because my parents wanted a better future for me and my sisters in this land of opportunity. During my time in PA school I spent more than 200 hours on community service between volunteering at the Equal Access Clinic, doing COVID-19 testing and vaccinations and going on a medical mission trip. It all ties back to my background. Now, as a PA in surgical critical care at UF Health, I hope to touch people’s lives, not just treat their illnesses. To be a Gator PA is the highest honor. It means to be committed to the highest standards of my profession, to lead and to serve the community in a compassionate and kind manner. It means to go above and beyond for the patients I treat because that’s what Gators do.”