|
Alexandra Sharples-Collins, BS, PA-S
Alexandra Sharples-Collins, BS, PA-S
graduated from the University of
Michigan –Ann Arbor with honors in
2011 with a Bachelor of Science in
Molecular and Cellular Biology.
Since she could remember, she has
always known that the medical field
was where she was meant to be. In
high school, she began researching
professions in the medical
community. After reading a
description of what a physician
assistant was, she knew that it was
the perfect profession for her. PA
encompassed all that she had been
looking for in a career- the ability
to make decisions in the care of
patients, interact with a medical
team, and connect with patients.
While studying at the University of
Michigan-Ann Arbor, she became a
member of the Pre-PA club and worked
as a volunteer year round at UofM
hospital. After graduating, she
obtained her certification in
Nursing Assisting at Schoolcraft
College. She began working at
Crystal Creek Assisted Living which
specialized in Alzheimer’s patients
and, while there, was able to touch
many lives, getting to know both the
patients and their families.
In 2014, she started working at
Henry Ford West Bloomfield hospital
on the Neurology floor and Stroke
Unit. It was one of the most moving
experiences of her life as she
watched patients regain their
ability to walk and relearn everyday
tasks that many take for granted
such as washing their face or
putting on a T-shirt. While at HFWB,
she was able to interact with all
branches of medicine including
physicians, physician assistants,
nurses, PT/OT, social work. Medicine
is not about following one provider.
It is about working as a team with
the patient to establish the best
plan of treatment. She feels that
both of these experiences have made
her the provider that she is today
and have helped her in both the
didactic and clinical aspects of the
WSU PA program.
Alexandra currently serves as the
treasurer of the WSU PA class of
2017. She feels honored to have this
responsibility and to be able to
work with each of her classmates.
She is member of AAPA and MAPA. This
past fall, she attended her first
MAPA conference in Traverse City and
looks forward to attending the
conference for many years to come.
Thank you so much to Mr. and Mrs.
Rutan and to all of those that
support this scholarship. |
