Aztec Alum: Where Are They Now?
I am graduating from Azusa Pacific University with my Bachelor's of Science in Nursing. I am working as a CNA at CHOC and am currently applying for RN jobs, hopefully in Pediatrics!
I joined the Medical Academy at Esperanza High School because I always knew that something in the medical field interested me. This program greatly influenced me as a person and a future health care provider. Familiarity with the basic skills and terms gave me a huge advantage when entering nursing school. I also think that being in classes dedicated to a certain field of study was extremely helpful for my personal growth throughout my high school years- it kept me motivated, as I had a goal that I was striving for in ultimately becoming a nurse. This program also helped me grow professionally: giving me the tools and training I needed to succeed, like composing a resume and interview skills. I could not talk about this amazing program without mentioning Mrs. Easton. She is the perfect person to be teaching these students. She not only taught the content, but she helped me succeed. She saw me, called out the potential she saw in me, and pushed me to strive toward a career goal. She instilled in me the confidence that I needed to succeed through nursing school. I am now graduating from Azusa Pacific University with my Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, and I have Esperanza’s Medical Academy and Mrs. Easton to thank for the great honor of becoming a nurse!
I completed undergrad with a major in Exercise Sport Science Pre-Physical Therapy and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Concordia University Irvine. I was able to help start and run the professional fraternity Phi Epsilon Kappa, which is a club for students pursuing careers in exercise science, sports medicine, physical education, and related fields. Being so involved in HOSA inspired me to be involved in PhiEK and gave me the confidence to become the fraternity’s president for 2 years.
I applied to 5 PT schools, was accepted to all 5, and chose to attend a school in Texas. I completed DPT school in October and graduated from University of Mary Hardin-Baylor in December. My cohort completed our last 2 clinicals despite the pandemic and everyone was able to find sites that were still accepting students. PT school was HARD and completing a condensed program in 2.5 years was even harder. But I am so glad I stuck with it and was able to finish school with good grades. I was nominated by my classmates and awarded the Christian service award at our graduation luncheon for demonstrating Christ-centered behavior throughout the program and during volunteer events.
I found an amazing job in Waco, Texas and got hired in November. It is a non-profit pediatric clinic founded on Christian beliefs. I started working part-time the Monday after graduation on a temp license and am transitioning into full-time this week. I have loved every second here, it has truly been amazing! My coworkers are all so nice and supportive and the kiddos are precious!
I took my board exam late January and passed! I am SO HAPPY to finally say that I am a licensed physical therapist :)
I just wanted to say a big THANK YOU…. The medical academy was one of the best things that ever happened to me and truly started my journey to become a physical therapist! Thank you for caring for your students and pushing us to become the best we can be. Thank you for supporting us, cheering us on, and investing in us throughout the medical academy program. Without you, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Not only did I learn book knowledge that helped me in grad school (shoutout to medical abbreviations!), I also learned how to have confidence during high stakes skills checks and practicals. The hands on skills checks throughout the medical academy helped prepare me for undergrad and grad school more than anything else and I consistently performed very well on those high-stakes exams. Thanks to HOSA, I was able to have confidence in my public speaking abilities and performed well on presentations in class and at conferences.
Thank you, again, for believing in me, allowing me to participate in leadership opportunities at EHS through the medical academy and in HOSA, pushing me, and supporting me through this journey!!!!!
I hope medical academy and EHS HOSA continues to grow and thrive!
--Carly Bennett (Biddlecomb), PT, DPT, Class of 2014
Thank you for how much the MSA program has helped me and my current life updates!
Currently, I took a break working as MA at Covid-shelter, and I started to work as an EMT in an American Med Ambulance. I have been working with dialysis nurses, RT, ER nurses a lot lately. Also, I am currently volunteering as a covid-19 vaccinator at Disney SuperPOD to help administer vaccines. I have administered approximately 500 vaccines so far. Last but not least, I am still studying at UCR, majoring in biochemistry.
I want to thank you so much for your guidance and teaching in the MA program. With your teaching, I can get so many clinical experiences early on for my pre-med track. With your injection training, I was able to volunteer as a vaccinator and do something so meaningful and historical!
All the best,
Leo Chan, Class of 2020