Date of Event: Thursday October 18, 2007
Time: 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Location: Tallahassee, Florida at FSU

 

M.A.P.S. is an undergraduate organization primarily comprised of minority students of a diverse background. There are numerous undergraduate chapters across the nation and they are all affiliated with the Student National Medical Association (SNMA).

The FSU chapter of MAPS has a Health Forum at least once a year where various health care professionals sit on a panel to educate and answer questions in reference to their career choices and profession. The Cultural Diversity Committee of FAPA was asked to participate in this year Health Forum by having a representative of the PA profession sit on their panel.

After the welcoming and purpose of the occasion, the panelists were asked to introduce themselves and give a brief summary of their professional background. Aside from me the panel included a physical therapist, a pharmacist, a dentist, and a nurse anesthetist.  Students had a plethora of questions including “when things got hard and you felt down and out what did you do to stay motivated?” and “what made you decide on your career choice?” also “what is the average/starting salary in your field”. I was specifically asked “how many clinical hours are needed to attend a PA program?”, “what is a PA?”, and “are their any limitations on what a PA can do or prescribe?”

Precisely at 8:30 pm, the moderator halted all further questions and adjourned the forum. The panelists were invited for some refreshments in the corridor where students had an opportunity to ask us one on one questions if need be. I had three students come talk to me personally in reference to becoming a PA. Because I had previously mentioned that my matriculation at Florida State University was very challenging and I had to take extraordinary measures in order to be successful, he wanted to know specifically what I did to reach my goals. At the end of our dialog, after the student shared some personal obstacles of his own, it was evident that he had been encouraged and strengthened by our conversation. I was honored to have been able to make a difference and it made my participation in the health forum a bit more meaningful.

All in all, I had a great experience, and I believe that this exposure is a good start for the cultural diversity committee and FAPA.

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