Episode 30: Hannah & Marie-Christine, UofT PAS1
In this live Q&A, first-year University of Toronto PA students Hannah and Marie-Christine share high-yield strategies for navigating the PA program curriculum and the transition into professional medical studies. We discuss details around the shift from pre-medical backgrounds to the collaborative PA role.
WHAT YOU’LL LEARNHow to leverage professional backgrounds in biology, aging, and clinical research to meet admission standards
Specific UofT BScPA GPA and HCE admission requirements
How to navigate 1st year of PA School at University of Toronto
Tips on work-life balance in PA school
About Hannah
Hannah is a Physician Assistant student in the University of Toronto’s incoming class, with an academic background in Biology and a Master’s in Aging and Health. She built over 900 hours of clinical experience as a medical receptionist while completing her graduate studies, giving her early exposure to patient care and the Canadian healthcare system.
Her path to PA wasn’t linear. Initially preparing to reapply to medical school, Hannah paused and asked a harder question about fit, leading her to explore the PA role through shadowing, conversations, and formal program panels before making a decisive pivot. That clarity translated into a focused application and a successful first cycle acceptance.
Now in PA training, Hannah brings a strong sense of purpose to the profession, grounded in collaboration, flexibility, and improving access to care. She’s committed to sharing her journey transparently to help future applicants move beyond stats and make decisions rooted in alignment.
About Marie-Christine
Marie-Christine is a Physician Assistant student at the University of Toronto with a diverse clinical background as an electrophysiology technologist and over a decade of experience across cardiology, neurology, and physiatry. Based in Montréal, she has also built a parallel career as a professional photographer while completing her undergraduate degree at Queen’s University, bringing both clinical depth and creativity into her work.
Her path to PA school was shaped by persistence and lived experience. After an initial rejection, she returned as a stronger re-applicant, drawing on over 10,000 hours of direct patient care and her own journey as a patient navigating complex hip surgery to build a more grounded, compelling application.
Now in PA training, Marie-Christine is driven by a commitment to empathetic, patient-centred care and advancing the PA profession in Canada, particularly in underserved and francophone communities. She brings a clear sense of purpose to her role, grounded in collaboration, advocacy, and a desire to be fully present in each patient’s care journey.
-
Subheading
Speaker 1[00:00:00] Hello
Speaker 2[00:00:06] Text
