My why? What’s your why?
October 6th-12th is Physician Assistant (PA) week, a time when the PA profession is celebrated and those of us who have the honor of being PAs are shown appreciation for the work that we do. I have to say, this week my coworkers did an AMAZING job showering me with love. I truly felt special.
One of the governing associations for PAs is AAPA, and each day this week they had a different theme. On Wednesday, October 7th the theme was “Share your why.” As I thought about this question the first thing that came to my mind was my mom. For me, it was going through the journey of my mom’s diagnosis of colon cancer that really led me to even explore the PA profession. From the age of 3, until after graduating college, I always dreamed of being a pediatrician. After college, while trying to determine if that was still the career path I wanted to take, I was introduced to the PA profession through a shadowing experience.
When my mother was diagnosed with colon cancer I learned about the profession more and the dynamics of the PA role from the PA that was a part of her care team. I admired my mom’s PA and the teamwork approach that she and my mom’s physician had in caring for her. Ultimately, it led me to further research the PA profession and found that becoming a PA was the path that I was destined to take. So that answers why I chose to be a PA, but I continued to ponder on that question and wanted to take it a little further. I asked myself, “why am I an oncology PA and why do I do what I do everyday?” And, once again my mother came to mind first.
As I previously stated, my childhood dream was to be a pediatrician, which is far from what I do, as I am an adult hematology and oncology PA. It was during the time of helping to care for my mom that I not only learned about the PA profession more, but I also learned about the oncology specialty. I admired the relationships that were built in this specialty with not only the patient but the family members as well. I often tell my people, my mom’s care team was the BEST! To this day, they check in on us and anytime they see us we’re greeted with such great joy and a smile, and it has been almost 8 years since my mom passed. I can remember days when I was unable to go to my mom’s appointments where her PA or MD would tell her to call them when she got home so that they could explain to me what went on during the visit. They both knew that I was interested in a career in medicine, so they would take the time during her visits when I accompanied her to teach me things because of my interest. During each visit they would sit down and talk with me, my dad, and my mom and they always made a point to not only check and see how she was doing but to see how we were doing as well. They showed me what true compassion, love, empathy, and a caring heart/spirit was as a healthcare provider. After my mom passed away I decided that in her honor I wanted to give back to patients what her care team gave not only to my mom but to us, my dad and I, her family, and caretakers. So, each day when I walk in a room, especially one with an oncology patient, I think of my mom. I see my mom in every patient and my dad and I in every family member. I remember what it was like being on the other side and how it felt. Thankfully, I also remember how her care team helped to ease the pain and worry, how they listened, and how they went above and beyond to ensure that we (my mom, my dad and I) were taken care of. That’s what I strive to do for each of my patients and their family members. I know firsthand the impact that her caregivers had on her, and on us, and it is my prayer that in honor of my mom and her legacy that I can pass that on to someone else. And, that is my why. I chose the PA profession because I learned more about it from my mom’s journey with colon cancer but I am an oncology PA and do what I do every day in honor of my mom and her legacy.
Mommy and I taking a selfie one night when she was in the hospital receiving care.
If you have lost your mom or maybe another close relative, my question for you is, “What is your why?” For you it may not be your job, it may be your parenting style, why you are apart of an organization or advocate for a certain group of people. Whatever it is, I encourage you to find your why in honor of your mom or whoever that person is. I believe each of us has a why, once we figure it out the fulfillment and joy we receive is immeasurable.
Feel free to share your why below as I would love to hear them, and they may also serve as an encouragement to others.
My coworkers really outdid themselves by helping me celebrate PA week with their expressions of love and appreciation. I am so grateful to work with such a great group of people and for their thoughtfulness.
