Mariella Medina, PA/MPH25
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 to pursue this degree?
"As a first-generation immigrant, I initially pursued public health to learn about the systems and structures that laid the foundation for healthcare. This PA/MPH dual degree has allowed me to learn about the upstream factors like social determinants and access to health services, transportation, and nutrition that directly tunnel into downstream chronic medical conditions. The future of healthcare requires providers to interrogate health disparities, practice medicine from an equity lens, and care for the whole being."
Why did you choose Tufts to pursue your degree?
"My personal and professional interests center on addressing systemic issues within healthcare and championing compassionate medicine—values that align with the Tufts PA curriculum that explores the foundations of public health and continues throughout the didactic year. Studying health and medicine in Boston has been so illuminating and has granted opportunities to learn from deeply invested professors in various disciplines, work in innovative public health research, and advocate for the PA profession at the State House!"
What has your experience in the program been like so far?
"We are currently finishing up the didactic portion and my experience has been resoundingly positive. I feel grounded by the amazing faculty who believe so strongly in the class—supportive is an understatement. Tufts has given me invaluable space to learn and grow as a public health advocate, PA student, and overall as a person within the Chinatown community and beyond."
What is your favorite aspect about the program?
"I love how Tufts feels like a home away from home. I moved from Maryland and immediately felt embraced by the amazing people in my cohort, the inspiring faculty and advisors, and the welcoming workers throughout the Tufts campus."
What is your proudest personal accomplishment while at Tufts?
"Our class recently had our White Coat Ceremony during the last semester of the didactic year (it is traditionally held at the start of most programs)! It was so rewarding to see how far we have all come since January and so special to celebrate our accomplishments as we transition into the clinical year."
What do you wish to accomplish upon graduation?
"I would love to work in OB/GYN or pediatrics. My MPH capstone explored how positive childhood experiences can be protective against toxic stress and I am interested in seeing how this research can be translated clinically! I look forward to integrating public health into medicine whether it’s from an everyday standpoint like educating patients on social determinants, or from a research/data collection standpoint, or even from a global health perspective!"
What do you want a prospective student to know about Tufts?
"Tufts PA has been the foundation and catalyst for all that I do and hope to accomplish. You will be surrounded by the most inspiring, brightest, and altruistic students and faculty!"
Check Out Mariella's Reel on Instagram