Have no doubts

Physician Assistant Studies Facility Groundbreaking Ceremony
Wednesday, May 9, 2018

My name is Kristina Sit, and I am a third-year Marquette Physician Assistant student, scheduled to graduate at the end of this month. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to share in this wonderful milestone for the program.

My path to becoming a PA was a bit nontraditional. After earning my undergraduate degree in biology at Truman State University, I spent a year serving as a full-time AmeriCorps volunteer. I worked as a caseworker at a transitional housing program for adults experiencing homelessness, HIV, and mental health issues. It was through this AmeriCorps service that I developed an all-consuming commitment to assisting the impoverished and underserved.

To fully live out my personal mission, I chose to enter Marquette’s Physician Assistant program where I knew I would receive excellent medical training with one very important differentiator — the Jesuit tradition.

The program’s mission is grounded in Jesuit values, including growth in mind, heart and spirit. Students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds are invited to engage in conversations about social justice, ethics, and the dignity of humanity.

Beyond this foundation, the program is full of extremely committed and ambitious faculty and students.

PA students also are engaged in their local communities, evaluating and managing patients at places like Repairers of the Breach and other free health clinics, preparing meals at Campus Kitchens, and educating children at school health fairs.

During my didactic years at Marquette, we were required to write many reflections. I must be honest. While in the thick of meeting the intense academic demands of the PA program, this task seemed cumbersome. But now, as I reflect on my PA training, I am incredibly grateful for this opportunity.

Having the chance to reflect on issues of social injustice and methods for coping with people living through incredible emotional and physical hardships, allowed me to better understand myself as a professional.

Reflection helped to remind me to always resist complacency about — or numbness towards — injustice. Instead, I always will pursue opportunities to work for healing. I also recognized through reflection that becoming an informed, thoughtful, and ethical person is a lifelong endeavor, and it is imperative to continually share my love and commitment to social justice with everyone I encounter.

One of the greatest strengths of Marquette’s PA program is that they encourage and assist you in being your best self, as a person and a future medical provider. Wherever your passion lies, Marquette will support you and connect you with the necessary resources to help you reach your full potential.

I have a strong message for future students and those of you who continue to support Marquette’s PA program: Have no doubts. Students who attend Marquette will be surrounded constantly by supportive and loving fellow students and faculty and ultimately will become well-prepared medical providers with strong intellectual and social skills.

I am deeply thankful for my Marquette education, and I look forward to what the future holds — for the PA program that has shaped the professional I have become, and for the career that I have dreamed about for so long.

Thank you.

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