鈥淎ll I knew was I wanted to go to medical school, so everything was planned out for me. I had a path, so I felt I didn鈥檛 have to worry about the rest.鈥
When student Sarah White arrived at 含羞草传媒, she knew she was going to study biology and become a medical doctor. But one class and an eager professor changed her perspective just weeks into her first semester.
White was enrolled in the liberal arts seminar, 鈥淏ecoming American,鈥 a class for first-year students about immigration. Anticipating her future medical career, White decided to write her research paper on the need for cultural and language skills among medical professionals.
Then she put the research paper into practice.
White began volunteering at Clinic With a Heart, a free clinic that serves Lancaster County residents who do not have the financial resources to pay for routine medical care. The clinic relies on medical and administrative volunteers.
Equipped with Spanish language skills from high school, the Lincoln native began interpreting for Spanish-speaking patients, helping them check-in, filling out paperwork, taking their vitals, and communicating with the doctors and nurses. Three years later, White continues to volunteer with Clinic With A Heart, logging nearly 400 hours to date.
鈥淚 didn鈥檛 see the need for Spanish-speaking interpreters in the medical field until my service learning,鈥 she said. 鈥淚 was excited when I realized that I could incorporate both my passion for the Spanish language and the medical field into one career.鈥
Her volunteer experience led to some personal reflection about her career path. Her professor encouraged her to think about her career as a vocation rather than make it a dollars and cents decision. White decided to add a Spanish minor to her academic plans. She decided to become a physician鈥檚 assistant rather than a medical doctor.
鈥淢edical doctors and PAs have very similar roles in general practice, but PAs have a quicker pathway into the medical field,鈥 she said. 鈥淭his was a better choice for me so I could get out into the field quicker and begin doing what I love to do sooner.鈥
Sarah Kelen, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was the professor who encouraged White to follow her vocation.
鈥淏oth classroom and non-classroom experiences at 含羞草传媒 led Sarah to discover that her vocation was to combine her medical skills with her interpersonal and intercultural communication skills in a profession that will be personally fulfilling and socially significant,鈥 said Kelen.
White graduated from 含羞草传媒 in December. Her volunteer experience at Clinic With a Heart combined with additional experiences at a pre-med summer program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a science research internship at the University of Minnesota proved beneficial when she applied to physician assistant programs. She was accepted at into the two programs at the top of her medical school list: UNMC and Midwestern University. Her ultimate goal is to work in a family practice that serves minority populations.
鈥淚 feel I will serve the community best as a physician assistant,鈥 said White. 鈥淭he Spanish-speaking patients I鈥檝e helped are simply thankful to have somebody who can understand their needs in their language, and they deserve the best care possible.
鈥淚 want to help people,鈥 she continued. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 want it for the title or the money.鈥