Looking Forward to Shaping the Future

By Vickie Lisowski
Student Member at Large

As the newly appointed Student Member at Large for 2008–2010, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce myself and express my enthusiasm for representing PA students on the PAEA Board of Directors.

Prior to PA school I received a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Nevada-Reno and a master’s degree in medical science from Boston University Medical School. Throughout my education, what became apparent to me was the importance of the quality education I was receiving and recognizing that it was being delivered by excellent professors. During my undergraduate studies I had wonderful opportunities: I was a teaching assistant in an anatomy lab and conducted research in a developmental neurology lab. I was blessed with mentors who, being passionate about their fields of study, helped build my desire to work in medicine. One day, after PA school, I hope to return to the academic setting as both a researcher and educator.

This past year I have enjoyed representing the student society of my school, Touro University–Nevada, at SAAAPA's Assembly of Representatives. Most recently, I started the clinical phase of my program and have had thoughtful, caring preceptors thus far. As a first-year student, I have seen excellent PA educators and preceptors shape the future of students to be leaders, mentors, and eventually health care providers. In my estimation, fostering leadership in students before they leave PA school is essential to the growth of the profession.

As the PAEA student member, beyond representing other PA students, I also look forward to motivating them to take on mentorship and leadership roles. In this young profession there are many challenges and exciting new ventures for students to become involved: opportunities in student societies, which are supported by faculty, and in professional and state organizations, in which student input is crucial. As students invest their time, they develop the leadership skills that will be crucial to shaping the profession's future leaders, educators, and preceptors.

I also look forward to working with the PAEA Board of Directors and with SAAAPA during my tenure. The future of PA education is on the minds of many, especially given the current dialogue about the potential role of the clinical doctorate in the PA profession. There are many exciting issues such as this one that will be debated over the next few years, and I look forward to having an impact on the future of the PA profession.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my predecessor, Jessica Boudreaux-Milligan, for her guidance as I transition into the role of student member of the board. I would also like to thank the members of the PAEA board for their support during this process and for such a warm welcome to their group of dedicated and determined leaders. Finally, I look forward over the next two years to many interactions with PA faculty and others in the PA programs. I welcome your questions or comments at saaapapaea2@yahoo.com.