1-16-2025
It has been 50 years since I was in undergraduate school studying to be a physician assistant. The photo above is of my graduation. Since then I have had the pleasure of treating patients, teaching many students, and, oh yes, being a mom, wife, daughter, sister, friend, Sunday school teacher, youth group leader, etc. , etc. etc.
Yesterday, I had the honor of addressing a wonderful group of students from the Physician Assistant Program at Stony Brook University. The Director/Chairperson of the program gave me the freedom to present whatever I thought appropriate and pertinent. I decided to share specific cases that influenced my 50 years of being in the public health arena as a health professional. My perspectives brought out students’ interactions and exchanges. How incredibly impressed I am with their level of intelligence, enthusiasm and optimism about the future. In a time when health professionals are overwhelmed with health policy changes and overburdened with the mental and physical stresses of health care, I was charged by them. The program’s chair, faculty and staff provide a strong curriculum and much more. They are role models just by walking the walk as well as talking the talk.
A final note, my Parkinson’s clearly appeared in obvious and subtle ways as I stood in front of the lecture hall filled with lots of people. I chose to open my talk with reading a blog post I wrote entitled, “Own It,” that basically strongly suggests don’t be afraid to share with others information about your Parkinson’s. By doing so with the audience, it shows that the disease does not own you rather you “Own It!”
Thank you so much to Professors Donna, Lynn, Rich for being who you are.