PA Journey: Jason M. Reyes PA-C, MPH

It wasn’t a grand epiphany or a childhood dream that brought me to the PA profession—it was a quiet suggestion from a mentor during my undergraduate years at UC Berkeley. At the time, I was deeply immersed in public health coursework and split between visions of medical school or a research-driven path. “Have you thought about becoming a PA?” he asked. I hadn’t. But that question changed everything.

What drew me in was the PA role’s versatility and the team-based nature of the work. I’d already been volunteering at community clinics and educating underserved populations on health topics, but I didn’t yet see myself in a clinical role. The more I learned about the PA profession, the more it clicked. Here was a career that merged everything I cared about: science, public service, adaptability, and lifelong learning—all without requiring the singular trajectory that traditional medicine often demands.

My journey to PA school wasn’t linear, and looking back, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I completed a BA in Public Health at UC Berkeley, followed by an MPH at UCLA where I focused on healthcare equity. I spent years on the front lines of HIV prevention and community outreach. Eventually, I realized that while I valued public health on a systems level, I wanted to be more involved in one-on-one patient care. That realization led me to earn my CNA certification and later work as a scribe in the emergency department. These experiences gave me the exposure—and the motivation—I needed to pursue the PA path in earnest. I was accepted to Stanford’s Primary Care Associate Program after two application cycles.

My day-to-day starts with a morning huddle, aligning care across our team, and ends with charting, follow-ups, and small but meaningful check-ins with patients who’ve entrusted me with their long-term care. From diabetes and hypertension management to mental health support and cancer screenings, I’ve found deep satisfaction in the continuity of care that primary medicine offers. There are tough days, of course. The paperwork can pile up, the time feels too short, and not every case has a resolution. But the trust that patients place in me, and the opportunity to advocate for those whose voices are often overlooked in the system—that makes it worth it.

If you’re considering this profession, here’s my advice: don’t just shadow one PA—shadow three or four, in different specialties. Take on roles that put you in direct contact with patients. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Be honest with yourself about your motivation, and make sure this is the right fit for you, not just something that sounds impressive on paper. And if you’re in the thick of PA school—give yourself grace. You don’t have to master everything overnight. Use your support system. Take breaks. Take care of your body and mind. The knowledge will come, and the confidence will grow with every patient you meet.

Becoming a PA wasn’t the most obvious path for me, but it’s turned out to be the most fulfilling one. It’s a role where compassion meets competence—and where each day offers the chance to make someone’s life a little better. I can’t think of anything more meaningful than that.