PA STUDENT PROFILES • WITH CARMEN, PAS2

Carmen is a second year PA student at Manitoba’s Masters of Physician Assistant Studies in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Carmen on rotation for 2nd year PA School.

I sat down with her during this past CAPA Conference in Niagara Falls, Ontario to talk about her journey to PA school and her experience in the PA Program.

What you’ll learn:

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• 0:36 Three Semesters of First Year PA School at Manitoba
• 1:52 How much time is spent in the classroom
• 3:04 Typical Day in the Life in 1st year
• 4:35 Capstone Project
• 5:36 Carmen’s Experience in 2nd year PA School
• 10:09 How 2nd year differs from 1st year PA School
• 10:46 Carmen’s Approach to Learning Procedures in 2nd Yr PA School
• 11:30 Preventing Burnout during PA School
• 13:30 Describing the Ideal PA Student
• 14:14 Carmen’s Role as a CAPA PA Student Rep on the Board of Directors

What you’ll learn:

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• 0:18 Overview of Manitoba PA Program Requirements
• 0:33 Required Courses for Manitoba PA Admissions
• 0:49 PA Statement of Intent
• 0:60 PA Letters of References / Letters of Recommendation
• 1:20 Preparation for PA Admissions: Submitting References before Deadlines, and Writing the Statement of Intent
• 2:15 Resources and Books Used for PA Admissions
• 2:56 Preparing for Manitoba’s PA School Interview Day and the Multi-Mini Interview (MMI)

What you’ll learn:

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• 0:28 About Carmen
• 1:17 How I heard about the PA Profession
• 1:56 PA Programs I applied to
• 2:06 Reapplying to PA School
• 3:10 GPA for PA School
• 4:36 My Pre-PA Extracurricular Activities & Leadership Experiences
• 5:01 Shadowing a PA in Manitoba
• 6:36 Resources Used for PA Admissions
• 7:15 Preparing for the Multi-Mini Interview (MMI)
• 8:15 Tips for Students on Deciding to Pursue PA vs. MD
• 9:01 Tips for Pre-PAs Pursuing PA

What you’ll learn:

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• 0:07 What inspired documenting her PA school journey
• 0:32 Lack of Canadian presence of PAs on social media
• 0:57 Answering Questions from DM’s and followers
• 1:26 Feedback from followers
• 1:57 Tips for Students who want to document their journey
• 2:37 Staying Professional vs. Vulnerable on Social Media
• 3:28 Avoiding Comparison on Social Media and in PA School

Carmen is currently in her second year of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Manitoba. Carmen completed her 4 year BSc with honours at the University of Winnipeg where she majored in Biology. Throughout undergrad Carmen spent 5 years volunteering in various hospitals in Winnipeg to gain experience.

Prior to starting the MPAS program, Carmen was working with children and adults with neurological motor disabilities at The Movement Centre of Manitoba which she found incredibly rewarding and reinforced her decision to want a career working with and helping others. Outside of academia and work Carmen plays both basketball and soccer. She also helps coach high school basketball. Carmen enjoys traveling, camping, hiking and pretty much anything that involves being outdoors.