The University of Toledo Physician Assistant Program

This month's student spotlight is Ablajan Heytak, a second year student at the University of Toledo. Below are answers to a few questions that we asked Ablajan.

1. Describe your journey toward PA school.

I had wanted to be a doctor since I was a little kid growing up in China, and I earned a bachelor’s degree in preventative medicine there. Shortly after I graduated, in 2012, I immigrated from China to Baltimore and started to try to get the education I needed for a career in the US. I was still very interested in practicing medicine, and being a PA appealed to me, so I started learning English as a second language by taking classes at a community college, and then moved on to PA program prerequisites at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. I also worked as patient care technician at a hospital for a while, and my wife and I had two kids along the way. It was tough to get into a PA program and I got lucky.

2. How will you commit to lifelong learning?

I plan to keep up with reading medical and basic science journals. My wife is a science journalist, so we’ll often get excited to tell each other about new things we’ve learned, like surprising discoveries or drugs that just got approved.

3. PA school in one word?

Exciting.

4. How are you managing the stress of PA school?

I try to work out when I can. I like to spend time with my kids (ages 2 and 5) and play with them—although they can be their own kind of stressor. And I remind myself of the goals I’m working toward, and that I’m really lucky to be here.

5. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Working as a hospitalist PA

6. How many caffeinated beverages did you consume on a daily basis during 1st semester?

Three cups of coffee, one and half each at breakfast and lunch.

7. Favorite medical book or TV series?

I’ve watched a bit of Gray’s Anatomy and House, but my favorite is watching clips of real procedures and patient cases on YouTube, on channels like paulthomasmd. It’s like doing a virtual rotation.

8. Do you prefer to type notes on a laptop or hand write them while sitting in lecture?

I use Notability on my iPad to take notes directly on my professors’ slides, and record the lectures at the same time so that the notes and recording sync up.

Thank you to everyone who came out and supported our student society's fundraiser for Connecting Kids to Meals. There was a great turn out of almost 50 runners and the weather was perfect for the event.

A thank you to our 2nd year students, Morgan Pelley and Maggie Leibold, for organizing the race and serving as the race directors. And thank you to all of the students who volunteered or ran!

Shout out to our 1st year student, Savannah Sullivan, for being the 2nd overall female!

Lastly, a thanks to our many sponsors; the race wouldn't have been a success without their help.

Make sure to register for our 5k next Saturday!!!

Channel your inner Midwesterner & prove your bag tossing skills on Oct 18th 🌽

1st & 2nd place wins prizes ! 🎉

Please spread the word!

Contact Brandy Crouse at [email protected] if you're interested in participating!

Congratulations to the PA class of 2021 on earning their white coats! Here are photos from today's ceremony.

Photos taken by Brandon Hughey, PA-S2.

Today, our PA students got to practice injections on practice pads in the Interprofessional Immersive Simulation Center (IISC)! They will get to practice on each other this Wednesday.

Here are some photos from today's portrait fundraiser! Thanks to everyone who came and supported our student organization. We hope to do another one next month!

Yesterday, our 2nd year PA students welcomed the incoming 1st year students by hosting a potluck! We wish them the best of luck as they start the 27-month program today, and we look forward to their white coat ceremony this Friday!