Noelle Choueifati

As a Medical Assistant at Women's Care, I work with women of all ages in gynecology and expectant mothers in obstetrics. My responsibilities include taking vital signs, gathering medical and social histories, performing blood draws, administering injections, and assisting with procedures like LEEPs, colposcopies, and IUD insertions. I also set up pregnant patients on NST machines to monitor fetal heart tones. This role has deepened my passion for women's health and strengthened my desire to pursue a career as a Physician Assistant.

As an MA, I assisted patients with check- in procedures, including taking vital signs and documenting their medical history, chief complaints, and medications in the EHR system. I assisted physicians with procedures such as ear cleanings, placement of ventilation tubes, and tongue-tie clippings. I performed administrative tasks such as making phone calls to patients, informing them of test results, diagnoses, and treatment plans. I would also schedule appointments for the providers and assist them with completing tasks such as medical request forms, lab orders, and sending out prescriptions. I formed close relationships with the physicians and NPs on staff, who guided and taught me, enhancing my clinical skills.

In my PCA role in the diabetes medical unit at Tallahassee Memorial hospital, I managed a wing of 18 patients. I helped the patients with all their needs, such as assisting them to the bathroom, feeding them, bathing them, making the beds, and tidying up their rooms. I also assisted in clinical tasks such as as taking vital signs every three hours, drawing blood for lab work, taking blood glucose levels for diabetic patients, and assisting the nurses in whatever they need. I also completed administrative tasks such as charting, inventory, and restocking medical supplies.

I completed a comprehensive Certified Medical Assistant course, where I gained in-depth knowledge and hands-on skills in medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, and clinical procedures such as phlebotomy and EKG. I also learned laboratory techniques, such as urinalysis, medical office management, patient communication, and infection control. Through this course, I learned how to perform vital signs measurements, complete triage, manage patient records, and handle insurance claims. This rigorous program provided me with a solid foundation in both the clinical and administrative aspects of medical assisting, equipping me with the confidence and expertise to effectively support healthcare teams and deliver high-quality patient care.

I shadowed Nadine Matar, PA-C, a cosmetic surgery PA, at Castellano Cosmetic Surgery. In this experience, I got to observe Nadine's interactions with her patients and how she used her extensive medical knowledge to treat them as she saw fit. I saw firsthand the full scope of a PA's practice, as Nadine treated her patients autonomously. I spent time asking her questions about the PA profession and her experiences, learning a lot about the process. This experience further inspired me to pursue my goal of becoming a PA.

USSTRIDE, the FSU College of Medicine Outreach Program, has been very beneficial in helping advance my career as a future PA. Acceptance into this program has provided me with so many great resources, such as access to professional development workshops, pre-health profession advising, assistance with professional school applications, and a clinical assisting course with FL Health Science Consulting. Additionally, USSTRIDE offered lots of unique volunteer opportunities, including my mentoring at Booker High School. Being part of this program prepared me well to embark on my PA school journey.

As a member of the Pre-PA Club, I attended meetings and actively participated in workshops, guest speaker sessions, and volunteering opportunities. My involvement allowed me to connect with peers who share my career goals and gain valuable information into the PA profession. I learned about various PA programs, the application process, and had the opportunity to speak with current and former PA students, benefiting from their advice and experiences. Being a part of this club was essential in providing me with the insight and support needed to pursue my goal of becoming a PA.

As a volunteer, I assisted nurses at the pediatric day hospital by restocking supplies, making beds, cleaning rooms, and disinfecting between patients. I also entertained the children through little activities such as coloring, playing games, or reading books with them. This experience taught me a lot about being compassionate with patients, especially children going through tough times. It brought me great joy to spend time with the patients and help brighten their day, even if only a little.

Through the FSU College of Medicine USSTRIDE program, I mentored Anna Alarcon, a high school student at Booker High School aspiring to pursue a career in medicine. Our virtual sessions focused on lesson plans in time management, study techniques, and organizational skills, as well as tutoring in chemistry and biology. We discussed her career aspirations in medicine and ways to achieve them in the future. Serving as a mentor really developed my leadership abilities, emphasizing the importance of being a positive role model, and taught me how to foster comfortable communication with my mentee.

In this role, I restocked sub-sterile rooms in the OR, assisted with cleaning the OR after surgeries, and transported lab specimens to pathology. This experience provided me with a unique insight into the inner workings of a hospital. I had the opportunity to meet and interact with many surgeons and observe surgeries once my restocking duties were completed. I got to witness the collaborative efforts of the surgeon, the PA, and scrub nurses during surgery, highlighting the importance of teamwork. This experience deepened my curiosity in medicine and reinforced my aspiration to become a PA.

My job was to ensure the comfort of patients undergoing chemotherapy. This involved offering blankets, pillows, and refreshments, as well as conversing with the patients to help pass the time. I also assisted in escorting patients to their infusion chairs or to their next appointments. During my time, I really enjoyed speaking with the patients, learning about their lives, while they got to take their minds off their treatment. This experience taught me firsthand the impact of compassionate care and the importance of empathy in supporting patients facing challenging health journeys.

I volunteered in the Bleeding disorders/ JRA session of summer camp as a camp counselor. I lived in the cabin with campers servings as a leader, supervisor and role model. I provided supervision and assistance in all aspects of the campers daily life including meals, cabin cleanup, hygiene, rest hour, taking of scheduled medications, and lights out. I helped organize, lead, and take part in all cabin activities, such as nightly group circles and sporting activities. I provided assistance in handling all camper related issues including homesickness, food restrictions, and medical needs.