PA Students Get Hands-On Experience - Part III
“My rotation at Culmore Clinic reinforced my belief in the vital role PAs play in underserved communities. Often, patients from these communities are simply seeking guidance and compassionate care, regardless of the provider’s title. In populations like this, PAs—and advanced practice providers as a whole—are invaluable, expanding access to routine medical care and helping bridge critical gaps in the healthcare system.”
Since early summer we have been welcoming Physician Assistant Students (PA-S) to complete their clinical rotations at our Clinic. Last month we spotlighted one of the students, Kim Siguenza-Ramos, PA-S from the Shenandoah University PA program. You can read that blog entry here.
This month, we are happy to feature our most recent PA-S, Lauryn Albold . Here's what Lauryn had to say about her experience at Culmore Clinic.
How did this rotation influence your understanding of interprofessional collaboration in healthcare?
At Culmore Clinic, I had the opportunity to work alongside a diverse team of healthcare professionals, including counselors, social workers, optometrists, nurse practitioners, physicians, and dietitians. I saw firsthand that underserved populations often face unique challenges and barriers to accessing comprehensive, holistic care that patients in other settings may take for granted. At Culmore Clinic, the collaboration between different providers illustrated how each discipline contributes an essential piece to the puzzle of patient care. Bringing so many different specialties together under one roof fosters seamless communication and coordination, ultimately making it easier for the patient as well.
What aspect of care during this rotation do you want share with others as you move on to future rotations?
I would emphasize the critical role of patient education. Starting a medication or informing a patient that their lab results are abnormal is only the first step. Taking the time to sit with them, explain what those numbers mean, and help them understand the implications for their health can be far more impactful. This deeper engagement empowers patients, fosters trust, and ultimately leads to better outcomes.
As a medical learner, and non-Spanish speaker, what strategies did you use to build trust and communicate effectively with patients who may have never seen a student practitioner?
As a non-spanish speaker it was very challenging. I tried to make a conscious effort to use conversational language so the translation would feel more natural and comfortable for the patient. I also worked to connect their health to their everyday life by asking about their support systems, home environment, and family, which helped build trust throughout the visit.
What did you learn about the role of community-based clinics in filling healthcare gaps for marginalized populations?
This rotation strengthened my understanding of the role that community-based clinics play for marginalized populations. For many individuals, these clinics represent their only access to medical services or even basic health supplies. While not all services are provided on-site, the clinic serves as an essential gateway, helping patients take the first step toward obtaining specialized care—a resource that is often difficult for underserved populations to access.
Can you share an example of how this rotation challenged or changed your perspective on the role of a PA in underserved communities?
My rotation at Culmore Clinic reinforced my belief in the vital role PAs play in underserved communities. Often, patients from these communities are simply seeking guidance and compassionate care, regardless of the provider’s title. In populations like this, PAs—and advanced practice providers as a whole—are invaluable, expanding access to routine medical care and helping bridge critical gaps in the healthcare system.