Episode #3: Carmen’s Experience in Manitoba MPAS
In this episode, we hear from Carmen, a second-year PA student in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at the University of Manitoba.
Before PA school, Carmen completed a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Biology at the University of Winnipeg and spent five years volunteering in Winnipeg hospitals. She later worked at The Movement Centre of Manitoba, supporting children and adults with neurological motor disabilities. That experience reinforced her decision to pursue a career in healthcare.
Carmen walks us through what PA school is really like, from the classroom-heavy first year to the hands-on clinical rotations of second year. She shares how learning medicine requires a shift from memorization to critical thinking, what a typical PA student schedule looks like, and how early clinical exposure helps connect theory to practice.
She also discusses the MPAS capstone research project, long clinical rotation hours, discovering her interest in pediatrics and ICU care, and strategies she uses to maintain balance during demanding training.
This episode offers a realistic and encouraging look at PA education in Manitoba and the growth that happens along the way.
“It’s not just memorization. You really have to understand the concepts and be able to think about it in a different way.”
- Carmen, on transition from undergrad to PA school
Key Takeaways
PA school is a shift from memorizing to thinking like a clinician: Success in PA training comes from understanding concepts deeply and learning how to apply knowledge across different clinical situations.
Confidence grows through hands-on experience: Clinical rotations help transform classroom learning into real-world skills, showing students how history-taking, physical exams, and patient care come together.
Growth happens outside your comfort zone: Students who speak up, try new skills, and advocate for learning opportunities often gain the most from PA school.
