Kush Patel, PA24
Explore Tufts' PA Program through our students’ stories. This National Physician Assistant Week (October 6-12), we're thrilled to share the incredible journeys and experiences of our Tufts PA Program students.
These are just a few glimpses of the incredible individuals who make up our Tufts PA Program family. Their stories will inspire you, motivate you, and make you realize the boundless opportunities that await within our program.
Stay tuned this week as we share these compelling stories and invite you to be a part of the Tufts PA community!
Why did you choose Tufts to pursue your PA degree?
"I chose the Tufts PA program because we are a huge family here in Boston. Being a small class of 50, we are afforded the opportunity to work in collaboration with the rest of our peers. We all share the same goal in the program and that is to successfully become PAs. We view competition amongst classmates as healthy and nurturing. We are each other’s backbone during the two most vigorous yet inspiring academic years of our degree. Our core faculty are phenomenal and personable, as they have taken the time to get to know each of us personally. As long-time PAs they have a wealth of knowledge to share with us and will do anything to help us get through the program. These successes are highlighted in Tufts PAs near 100% first time PANCE pass rate as well as the 100% job placement rate."
What is your favorite aspect about the program?
"My favorite aspect of the Tufts PA program is clinical rotations. At Tufts, we have 11 clinical rotations; of these, 8 are core rotations and 3 are of your choice (with some restrictions of course, i.e., inpatient selective, outpatient selective, and elective). Tufts PA has a fantastic Director of Clinical Education, Joe Sansone PA-C. He provides us with a tentative full-year schedule at the end of the didactic year which alleviates an incredible amount of anxiety about where we will be traveling to for rotations. The program has been very accommodating; for example, I am interested in Dermatology and my selective and electives have all been in Dermatology. Our preceptors are longtime PAs and MDs whom are used to having students. This means that they have a well-structured rotation set up for students to learn. It is exciting to learn about different medical specialties and to apply the knowledge and skills that we have gained during our didactic year. The clinical rotations will be rewarding and inspiring, and a glimpse into our lives as soon-to-be PAs!"
What is your proudest personal accomplishment while at Tufts?
"I think my proudest personal accomplishment at Tufts has been when my patients look me in the eye, shake my hand, and thank me for helping them. It is incredibly warming to witness a patients recovery and to know that you were a small yet vital part of their care. We go through an intense didactic year to learn much of medicine in just one year. Putting that knowledge to practice in clinic and witnessing the positive effects of our hard work is incredibly rewarding and reassuring."
What do you want a prospective student to know about Tufts?
"Prospective students should know that by coming to Tufts you are joining a large family. The next two years will not be easy; you will have long hours of lectures and studying, exams will not be straight forward and will challenge your medical knowledge, and your time management skills will be put to the test. Rest assured that despite these healthy challenges, you will have a strong network of classmates and faculty who will not let you fail. Go Tufts!"
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