You guys made it…….2.5 years.

2.5 years of blood, sweat, tears, late nights, early mornings, angry attendings, sweet patients, amazing staff, and lots and lots of coffee…..but you made it.  I am sure it feels like both an eternity and a blink of an eye.

You have made life long friends through this journey and now, you gain 9 faculty members as new colleagues.

As you are standing in the processional line on Friday awaiting your diploma and you are reflecting over your time in PA school, I want you to think back to 2013.

The hardest part of the CASPA application is the personal statement.  Think about the self-reflection you did as you struggled to put into words the feelings you had about wanting to become a PA.  Think about all your personal, professional, and academic trials and tribulations that led you to the moment that you decided to click on the “Begin a New Application” on the CASPA website.  Think about all the medical professionals you encountered, both good and bad, and how you said to yourself “when I am a PA, I will definitely do or not do that”.  Remember what that future PA looked like?

That is you now.

My request is simple….be the PA you said you wanted to be in your personal statement 3 years ago.

Don’t let you down.

You certainly have not let me down.  There was reason I did not include your class on my “Open Letter to My Students” blog post a few weeks ago.  You deserved your own recognition.  I am proud of each and everyone of you  and I am even prouder to call you all colleagues.  You will make great PAs and will make an indelible mark on the world of medicine wherever you practice.

GO FORTH AND HEAL