As I reflect on my undergraduate career and all I have accomplished, I am grateful for the Health Education and Behavior program at the University of Florida. Throughout my four years in this program, I was awarded numerous opportunities and experiences that helped me grow in life, both personally and professionally. The coursework, internship, and volunteer experiences have opened my eyes to how I can be a physician assistant that does more than simply treat, but also incorporates health education and promotion methods to benefit the overall wellness of my patients.

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The first course I took in this program, Foundations of Health Education, introduced me to the overall idea of health education. Learning about the different theories and models showed me that health education is an extremely important part of care but is often overlooked in today’s society because rather than educating patients on their health prior to developing disease or illness, we often do not begin education until after treatment. This information was something I had never thought of before, and I carried it with me during my volunteer and internship experiences.

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As a part of one of my courses in the Health Education program, I volunteered at UF Health Shands Hospital. During my time there, I worked with patients to educate them on their diagnosis, such as diabetes or congestive heart failure. I was able to make connections to what I had learned in my courses regarding health education and see the positive behavior change. This observed connection greatly contributed to my learning and philosophy on health.

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Another valuable experience I had through this program was my senior internship at Horses Helping People (HOPE). My experience at HOPE taught me about interacting with patients. I learned how to educate those with special needs on the importance of their health, as well as strengthened my desire to work in the healthcare field. I was also able to use the knowledge from my past coursework to assist me in working with patients.

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Through my different experiences in the Health Education and Behavior program, I learned many valuable things pertaining to health and my future career. It taught me the importance of prevention and showed me how to be a caring and thorough healthcare provider. I couldn’t be more grateful for the professors and advisers that contributed to my success in the Health Education and Behavior major at the University of Florida, and I look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead.