Hometown: Flint, MI

Name of Undergraduate Institution: Central Michigan University

Major(s)/Minor(s) in College: Major – Neuroscience; Minor – Psychology

Name of PA School: University of Detroit Mercy PA Program

Favorite Quote: “Sometimes I have to remind myself, that on my worst day I live like somebody on their greatest.” – Meek Mill

Contact Info: IG: @jaye.thepa

Additional Links:

The Perfect Personal Statement: Your Inspirational Guide to Writing the Perfect Personal Statement

Diversity Shirts – Shopthepac.com

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Where are you currently at in your career path and why did you decide to pursue this career path? 

I am in my clinical year (last year) of my Physician Assistant program. I chose to become a PA because I always knew it would allow me to practice in medicine at the capacity I was most comfortable while enjoying the high return of investment in terms of length/pay of completing my training and the trajectory of a PA’s worth to a health system.

If you could go back and have a chat with your naïve college freshman self, what would you tell her?

To live in the moment. I was so set on achieving my goals and constantly thinking about the future and my ‘next steps’ that I never got to enjoy my time as an early college student. I wish I could go back and tell myself that my future would still be LIT and it was OK to take more time out for the present me.

What advice would you give to someone looking to pursue a similar path as yours?

Protect your GPA. Grades last forever, parties don’t.

What is a major challenge you have had to overcome and how did you do so?

I was highly disappointed in the lack of representation in my profession. Moreover, I was shocked a program in Detroit, a city with a high Black population, lacked diversity as well. To combat this, I founded an organization that aids in supporting and mentoring students and providers of color. We have grown to over 3,000 members and have helped a handful of students gain acceptance into some top PA programs.

Do you have any passions outside of school? If so, what are they?

Yes! I substitute teach. Honestly, educating youth is my first passion. Medicine was just more secure and versatile as far as what I could ultimately do in my career. I love interacting with children daily and setting the tone for them to continue to be successful in school and beyond.

What were some of your involvements in college? Have those involvements helped you in any way in PA school?

I sat on the board of an organization called Alternative Breaks where I was responsible for finding volunteer locations for students to spend their academic year breaks volunteering across the country. I became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC. I was an academic tutor as well as a Peer Involvement Advisor. These positions particularly helped me gain my grad assistantship as a hall director. I oversee a staff of 5 RAs and my building houses at least 80% of our university’s international student population.

Thanks so much for sharing this fantastic advice and information with us Jasmine, we really appreciate it! You are doing A LOT for all of the people you serve and I’m sure that they are very grateful for your work and the impact that it is having on their lives! Keep on being the positive force that you are!

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Posted on December 2nd, 2019