There are many core principles encompassed by the mission and values of Pacific University's Physician Assistant Studies program that I know will make Pacific University a great match for me. Ensuring high quality care for patients, valuing diversity, and lifelong learning of evidence based medicine are concepts that should be at the core of healthcare. Also important to me is the need to help underserved populations. Currently working as a medical assistant at a primary care physicians office in Hilo, Hawaii I work with many individuals from underserved communities of the island and I see the need for greater healthcare access in these areas, and I am now committed to continuing to help the underserved as I further my career. Also necessary in rural and underserved areas, I highly value the interprofessional team approach. Where I currently work in Hawaii there is a nonprofit organization called the East Hawaii Independent Physicians Association, which unifies the local healthcare network to provide better, and greater continuity of, care for patients. This unification has greatly benefited not only the healthcare community, but also the residents of the island. …show more content…
I see Pacific University fulfilling these needs because of the solid reputation that the school has built for itself since its establishment in 1999. I have learned of this reputation by talking to individuals who have graduated from Pacific as PAs, but also by reputation within the medical communities in which I have worked. The excellent national certifying examination pass rate also quantifies the education I will