Iris is in her third and final year of PA school feeling more self-assured and confident than ever before. She has a no nonsense attitude and a healthy approach to caring for her patients as she embraces her future career as a Physician Assistant. I talked to Iris about her plans and what she likes to do for fun...

Iris, you have made it to year three unscathed. How does it feel?

Well, that is a difficult question to answer. Each year poses different challenges. I guess I just tried to remain focused and keep my eye on the prize. Words cannot explain how it feels to get to this moment in my life. It has been an interesting journey of mixed emotions. At this point I can say that I feel proud of myself for making it this far. As we approach graduation month by month, I grow increasingly more anxious!

Any idea what you would like to do after graduation? Is there a specific city/state you would like to work in?

Well, I am definitely a Texan! I think I may hang out in north Texas until I get more established and adjusted to my new life. However, my plans are to eventually move further south...San Antonio, maybe?

Are you drawn to any one specialty over another? Which rotations have you enjoyed the most, and why?

At this point my interests are stretched across the board. I am drawn to Dermatology, Emergency Medicine and Family Practice. I still haven't really narrowed it down. I probably most enjoyed my Plastic Surgery rotation. Each surgery was interesting and exciting. I really enjoyed the 'happiness' of the profession. Each patient was there to undergo a procedure in hopes of becoming more content with their body versus a more depressing field where you have to notify a patient that unless they have surgery, they may die. I am a pretty cheerful person, so I really hate delivering bad news.

I also enjoyed all the suturing experience I got out of that rotation. My preceptor allowed me to suture on a majority of the cases. It felt really good to think of what a long way I have come since I first began suturing just a few short months ago. I feel much more confident with my suturing skills and ready for emergency medicine. With many rotations left to complete, I anticipate adding many more experiences to my growing list!

Iris (center) painting a pediatric clinic with her classmates

Think back to your first time in the anatomy lab. What were you thinking and feeling?

I remember being really excited to finally be working with cadavers. My only experiences were with cats, so it was an overwhelming experience to finally be working with the real thing! My anxiety level was high thinking about all the studying I would have to endure to memorize every aspect of the human body...ugh!

What have you enjoyed most about being a TCOM PA student?

I chose this program because out of all my interviews, this campus was the friendliest! I have most enjoyed all the new friends and acquaintances I have made. You’d be surprised at all the medical student friends I've made friends with in the past few months.

UNT Health Science Center continues to project the warm and friendly learning environment that attracted me in the first place.

What do you like to do in your spare time? I know "spare time" is a relative term in the PA world, but what do you enjoy doing when you're not working or studying?

Yes, 'spare time' is a relative term for me. I enjoy spending any free time I have with my fiance, Rene, and my two dogs, Cha-Cha and Daisy. I rarely get to see my dogs during the week so we often enjoy going to the dog park and throwing the ball or Frisbee around.

Rene and I are pretty low key. We enjoy each other’s company in relaxing environments...for example, a quiet restaurant followed by a movie. Family is very important to me. You can also finding me hanging out with my mom and sisters on Sundays. We enjoy getting our family together for game night where we sometimes play Lotteria (bingo) or some other crazy, loud game!

Iris (far right) with some of her classmates

Any words of wisdom for the first and second year students?

For the second year students...try to remain focused! I found second year much more interesting as we went through each of the blocks. Second year goes by really fast! I would suggest learning as much as you can in each block. It becomes quite difficult to recall something that you learned months ago. So review, review, review!

For the first year students...thinking back to first year I often remember thinking, "When are we going to get to the real stuff I came here to learn?" It is hard to understand many aspects of medicine when you don’t have a solid foundation. Anatomy and Physiology always finds a way of creeping back in just when you thought you were done with it (laughs). My words of wisdom for first year students is to just be a sponge and soak up every bit of information possible!

The first two years are huge building blocks to what will come. I frequently review material from my first and second years...so take good notes and organize them so you can easily refer back to them!

How have you changed as a person from matriculation to year three? In what ways have you grown?

I can honestly say that I feel as though my maturity level has grown immensely. I matriculated straight from undergraduate school so I still had the 'college student' mentality. Practicing medicine is a serious profession. Every decision that I make affects my patients in a drastic manner. I don’t take this responsibility lightly. I have also learned not to be so gullible. I used to believe anything and everything that someone would tell me. I have learned that it's sometimes necessary to be a bit skeptical.

What are you most looking forward to doing outside this fall when it (finally!) cools off in North Texas?

I most look forward to finally being able to exercise outside again. I love running in the cool weather...I find it really therapeutic after a long, crazy day.

I also look forward to having an old fashioned barbeque and watching the Dallas Cowboys with my family...not to mention finally being able to shut off my air conditioning and open my windows to let some fresh air in!

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Iris, you have made incredible strides here at TCOM. I wish you the very best during your last year...and as you graduate and begin your career as a PA!