Oct. 9, 2023 – Working in tandem with doctors, nurses, technicians and other hospital staff are physician assistants, also known as physician associates. These health care team members visit with patients, consult with colleagues on cases, write prescriptions and promote the well-being of those for whom they provide care.

During National PA Week, celebrated annually from Oct. 6-12, health care teams and communities across the country honor the more than 140,000 PAs who practice medicine throughout the U.S. Read the Q&A below with three UF PA students whose interests in medicine and caring for others drives their passion to join the expanding profession:

Bevin Amezcua, president of the class of 2025: “I went to Florida State University for undergrad and studied chemical sciences, with a minor in childhood development.”

Jared Boyette, student in the class of 2024: “I attended St. Johns River State College in Orange Park, Florida, for my undergraduate degree and obtained a bachelor’s in health care administration. I worked as a paramedic/firefighter for eight years and as a paramedic in the ER for five years prior to attending UF.”

Emily Rumisek, student in the class of 2025: “I graduated from the University of Florida in 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in health science.”

Amezcua: “I always had an interest in science but was intimidated by the idea of going into medicine. My mother is a lifelong educator, and I considered being a science teacher when I finished undergrad. However, after a few interviews at schools that didn’t feel right for me, I started working as a lab assistant. I quickly decided to go back to school to work as a medical lab scientist and fell in love with helping diagnose and treat patients. My work as a medical lab scientist gave me the confidence I needed to pursue PA school.”

Boyette: “My first introduction to health care as an EMT and then as a paramedic made me enjoy what the health care field has to offer and how we can impact the lives of those we care for. Working toward becoming a PA has shown me that I will hopefully be able to help those around me in a wider span and scope of practice.”

Rumisek: “Growing up, my perception of medicine was limited, and it seemed very black and white. Every problem had a solution, and there was nothing that Pepto-Bismol, Band-Aids and tender, loving care could not fix. This all changed when my mother was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. For the first time, I had questions that had no answers. My impression of medicine completely changed, and my mother’s experience with MS showed me that medicine was not as absolute as I once thought. Its complexity intrigued me, and ultimately, I wanted to serve people in a similar capacity to those who had cared for my mother. Pursuing a career in medicine allows me that opportunity, and I look forward to making meaningful differences in the lives of others.”

Amezcua: “Throughout my childhood I had an amazing primary care PA. However, I didn’t seriously consider the profession until my mid-20s. I was working as a medical lab scientist for several years but felt compelled to find a career where I could be a bigger part of a patient’s clinical care team. I frequently found myself advocating for patients we saw in the lab and started shadowing PAs. I distinctly remember shadowing a PA who fought tooth and nail to be able to send her patient home with a wheelchair at no cost to the patient. I knew then I had found the perfect career for me.”

Rumisek: “During my first semester at UF, I struggled to decide which career path I wanted to pursue in health care. Nearing the end of my first semester I suffered a running-related injury and went to physical therapy. During my sessions, I realized I wanted to pursue a career in medicine that follows patients over a long period of time. In my next semester, I was invited to attend the UF health career showcase. I still remember sitting in the breakout sessions with the physician assistant group and learning about the role of a PA, and from that point on I knew I wanted to pursue the profession. Over the next year, I began taking prerequisite courses and obtaining patient care hours. I enjoyed working in different specialties, which further confirmed that the decision to pursue a career as a PA was right for me. I am grateful that my experiences have led me to where I am today, and I look forward to devoting my life to the health of my patients.”

Boyette: “I am currently in my fourth clinical rotation month. This program has been enjoyable. The content and speed of information can be cumbersome, but it has been rewarding to see how far I and my colleagues have come. You have to put in the work in this program, and I wouldn’t expect or want a PA program to be anything less. Beyond the academic part, the opportunity to meet so many great people in my cohort and get to know them has been an experience I will forever be grateful for. We have some amazing people here.”

Rumisek: “My life completely changed when I walked into our first anatomy class 12 weeks ago. As my classmates and I learn the foundations and complexities of medicine, we have forged lasting relationships with one another. We help each other through the highs and lows, and it’s truly a team effort. I have also had the opportunity to connect with different faculty members, and their support encourages me to persevere. Being a PA student can be overwhelming, but it continues to show me just how much I can learn and what I have to offer. My classmates and I have accomplished so much in a short period of time, and I look forward to seeing what we will achieve next.”

Amezcua: “Being a Gator PA means advocating for our patients in a diverse health care community. It means showing compassion and committing to deliver an exceptional health care experience to all. I am grateful to be a Gator PA!”

Rumisek: “The Gator PA exhibits many positive values, but each of them ultimately leads to patient advocacy. They prioritize compassionate care and respect all members of the health care team. They focus on lifelong learning to provide the best care possible. They are open-minded and serve all patients. That is the goal of a Gator PA, and it is an honor to uphold these values to make a real difference for the patients we serve.”

Amezcua: “I truly believe PAs are an integral part of expanding health care to reach all communities. There are even scholarships available to PA students who want to work in rural communities!”

Boyette: “Take a moment to appreciate the profession, and whether you are a PA-C, PA student or hopeful future PA student, spend time with those in this community and make the connections that will last a lifetime. Have a great PA Week!”