EDGE-PA Student Testimonials

Kamiyah Hicks

“Born and raised in Kansas City, KS, I attended the University of Kansas and earned my bachelor’s degree in human biology as a first-generation college student. As a participant of the EDGE-PA program, I was able to grow as a person and receive numerous benefits and resources from the program. One of the main takeaways from this program was the networking opportunities. I connected with peers with similar backgrounds, faculty members, and other representatives from Charles R. Drew University (CDU). Everyone I met has been supportive in helping students achieve their goals of becoming a PA. Another benefit of the program was receiving 1:1 mentorship. My mentor was a recent graduate of CDU’s PA program, and we had a lot of things in common. She was able to give me more insight into CDU’s PA program, as well as increase my confidence in becoming a future PA. I also appreciated the opportunity to audit PA courses with current PA students. This allowed me to experience, in real time, how PA courses are and what to expect as a future PA student. I am excited to be attending the PA program at Charles R. Drew University this fall!” 

Huy Tran

 “As a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant and college graduate, I had no blueprint for navigating the increasingly competitive path to PA school until I discovered EDGE-PA who have made a world of difference in my journey. This revolutionary virtual pipeline program is led by the most selfless, inspiring, and dedicated individuals whose shared mission is to support students from underrepresented communities in achieving success in healthcare careers. Through their wealth of free resources, ongoing mentorship, and unwavering support, I became more confident in my journey as a re-applicant to PA school. EDGE-PA gave me more than just direction, they gave me community, confidence, and the courage to pursue a future I once thought was out of reach. EDGE-PA isn’t just a program, it’s a movement shaping the future of healthcare providers who reflect the communities they serve.” 

Amanda Gutierrez

“Being the first person in my family to pursue a career in the medical field, navigating the path to becoming a PA felt overwhelming at times. The EDGE-PA program has provided me with an incredible array of resources from personalized mentorship to academic support, helping me grow into a well-rounded applicant. Having the access to sit in on a real PA course allowing a glimpse into what to expect for graduate school is priceless. I have felt supported every step of the way with this program and it is truly an amazing opportunity for any pre-PA student.” 

2024 Cohort

Jaland Green

“I am incredibly grateful to the EDGE-PA Program for its unwavering support and commitment to my success in gaining admission to PA school. As a first-generation college student born and raised in Compton, CA just a short distance from CDU’s main campus this journey has been deeply personal for me. I joined EDGE-PA during the 2023-2024 cycle but ultimately decided it wasn’t the right year for me to apply. However, with the program’s continued guidance and encouragement, I applied in the 2024-2025 cycle and was thrilled to be accepted into the UC Davis / Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing’s PA program in my first cycle applying. A special shoutout to Sam Paik for his extensive mock interviews and critical feedback, which played a crucial role in refining my interview skills and boosting my confidence. Additionally, I want to express my deepest appreciation for my mentor of two years, Veronica Ward, PA-C. While I’ve heard that all EDGE-PA mentors are the best, Veronica went above and beyond in every way, offering not just mentorship but genuine encouragement and insight that profoundly shaped my journey. My passion has always been to bridge gaps in healthcare, particularly in underserved communities, and EDGE-PA has played a pivotal role in helping me pursue that mission. I hope to stay connected to this incredible program and pay it forward for future aspiring PAs. Thank you to the entire EDGE-PA team for believing in me and for your dedication to the next generation of healthcare providers!”

Johnathan Louissaint

“After completing my undergraduate education, I felt the need to distinguish myself from my peers who were also applying to professional schools. I decided to enlist in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. This opportunity proved highly rewarding, as it provided me with extensive exposure to patient care across a broad range of healthcare settings and modalities. While deployed overseas, I decided to pursue a master’s degree, determined to demonstrate my ability to succeed in graduate studies and prepare myself for applying to PA school. Following my initial discouragement after the first attempt at applying to PA school, I received an email from the EDGE-PA program, a resource that assists underserved students pursuing careers as Physician Assistants. I believed this program would be the key to overcoming the barriers that had hindered my previous application. The EDGE-PA program’s offerings significantly boosted my confidence during the application cycle. The EDGE-PA program assisted me in achieving my goal of being accepted into the Physician Assistant program at the University of California, Davis.”

Carlos Wright

“I am extremely grateful for what the EDGE-PA program has provided. I appreciate the mission of EDGE-PA and the opportunity to contribute to it. I am a second-time applicant and was accepted to Emory University to start Fall 2025. Even without the acceptance I received, the EDGE-PA program provides many fruitful opportunities for success. To be specific on my success, I received no interviews in my first cycle; however, in my second, I received eight interview invites. The assistance I received with my personal statement was great and a key factor in my success. I also value the many speakers who took the time to speak and share their stories. They were very motivational and compelling. I also appreciated the individuals representing different PA programs providing info sessions. I believe these encounters with the staff can go a long way.”

Eloi Ferguson

“The EDGE-PA program aims to bridge the healthcare disparity gap by increasing representation in the growing PA field. The program offers many resources such as mentoring, personal statement review, mock interviews, and application submission reimbursement. EDGE-PA helped me navigate through the CASPA process to strengthen my application and become a more competitive candidate. With the support of EDGE-PA, along with my perseverance and faith, I successfully gained admission to one of my top choice programs at Towson University’s Physician Assistant program. As an adopted Haitian American, I aim to provide compassionate equitable care that recognizes every individual’s unique circumstances and cultural backgrounds to improve treatment outcomes. I am grateful to have been selected for the EDGE-PA program’s initiatives and am inspired to uphold their philosophy to promote diversity in healthcare. I am committed to mentoring Black male PAs, helping to pave the way for greater representation in the field.”

Thierno Bah

“The EDGE-PA program has been instrumental in shaping me academically and personally. Through its comprehensive support system, I gained valuable tools for interview preparation, personal statement editing, critical thinking, and networking, which were essential in navigating the path as a PA applicant. The mentorship and community fostered by the program provided not only academic guidance but also a sense of belonging and motivation to keep pushing forward. As a result of the skills and confidence I developed through EDGE-PA, I’m thrilled to share that I received 3 interview invites and 1 acceptance. I have decided that I will be attending Charles R. Drew University in the Fall of 2025 to continue pursuing my dream of becoming a physician Assistant. This program has truly been a cornerstone of my success, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunities it has afforded me. To any prospective students, I encourage you to take full advantage of what EDGE-PA offers. It’s a transformative experience that will empower you to achieve your goals and grow into the best version of yourself.”

Mikhail Hamilton

“The EDGE-PA program has helped me immensely throughout my journey to becoming a PA student. My first application cycle I received 1 interview out of 12 schools and was waitlisted. The EDGE-PA program reached out to me a few months later and provided me with numerous resources to strengthen my application for the upcoming CASPA cycle. I had the opportunity to speak to numerous schools before applying again which allowed me to gain more insight on the schools that match my academics and my personal mission. In addition, the EDGE-PA program provided free personal statement edits and also mock interviews which I believed strengthened my application. In my second application cycle, I applied to roughly 9 schools and received interviews from all schools and received multiple acceptances. I have decided to attended the Charles Drew PA Program as the program matches my personal mission and seeks to revolutionize the outlook of the PA profession by training students, like myself, that come from an underserved community. As an immigrant from Jamaica, I can say with pride that I will be apart of the 5% of Black PAs in the US. Words cannot express my gratitude for the EDGE-PA program, as in a few years I will be able to serve my community as a medical professional.”

Ayooluwa Popoola

“The EDGE-PA program has been instrumental in my journey towards becoming a physician assistant. I first heard about the EDGE program through a promotional email in the Fall of 2023. Initially, I was skeptical because the offer seemed too good to be true. At the time, I was entering my second and final application cycle for PA school. I was accepted to be a part of the EDGE-PA program and it changed my life. My PA mentor, the mock interview, and the EDGE-PA partnering programs were the three most impactful resources that the EDGE-PA program provided. Daniel went above and beyond as a mentor by asking hard questions, offering encouragement, and generously giving his time. The mock interview gave me a framework through which I could critically assess and confidently answer questions. The EDGE-PA partnering programs gave me the opportunity to show my passion for the PA profession to the faculty members of three PA programs I interviewed with. I am grateful to say, that this Summer 2025, I will be attending the PA Program at the University of Utah, School of Medicine in Salt Lake City, Utah.”

Jahim Lawrence

“My name is Jahim Lawrence, and I am from Miami, Florida. I am a first-generation college graduate and former student-athlete who attended the University of Florida. I learned about the EDGE-PA program from a close friend and fraternity brother who was already well into his journey to becoming a physician assistant (PA). He urged me to apply for this amazing program, and I did just that—which turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Being part of the EDGE-PA program has been an incredible opportunity due to the numerous benefits and resources it provides to each cohort. From assigned mentors to video presentations with multiple universities, as well as personal statement and interview preparation, the program has given me the added confidence and knowledge to apply to any PA program I aspired to join. One of my favorite aspects of being a member of EDGE-PA has been the unwavering support and genuine care shown to everyone in the program. Despite not being accepted into a PA program during my first application cycle, EDGE-PA did not give up on me. Instead, they continued to guide and support me, giving me another opportunity to strengthen my application in significant ways. The skills and professional growth I gained through the program proved to be instrumental during my second application cycle, leading to my acceptance into North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University’s PA program for Fall 2025. Getting into PA school is challenging, and succeeding in the program is even harder. However, the support and guidance I received from EDGE-PA, combined with the program’s mission to address underrepresentation in the PA profession, inspired me to persevere. Both patients and providers benefit from increased diversity in medicine and healthcare, and programs like EDGE-PA play a vital role in creating a more inclusive future. I am forever grateful for the EDGE-PA program and cannot fully express how much it has impacted my life and my PA journey. Thank you, EDGE-PA. I am committed to giving back and supporting the program and its future cohorts as they embark on their journeys.”

2023 Cohort

Troy Adkins

“When I came across the EDGE-PA program, I learned they focused on supporting underserved populations, which happened to be one of the many reasons I wanted to be a PA: to increase representation. Joining the EDGE program allowed me to have a PA mentor who provided me with assistance on my applications and reviewed my personal statement. We met with several PA programs and guest speakers on Zoom and heard first-hand about their core values and what they look for in a candidate. In addition, we heard from a wide range of speakers about their journey into the PA profession advice on how to prepare for application submittals and interviewing, and words of encouragement. Due to the many resources EDGE provided me, along with my perseverance, I was able to successfully obtain a seat in the Meharry Medical College Physician Assistant program! Receiving support from EDGE through the strenuous process of applying is highly recommended for any individual from an underserved community looking to be a catalyst and aid in the lives and betterment of our communities.”

Thomas Randle

“I found out about the EDGE-PA program at an online seminar at the beginning of last year, shortly after my first attempt to get into PA school. Luckily, I was able to leave my information with the host of the session and he connected me with the application a year later. I can genuinely say the program was of monumental help to my success now. Along with mentors, mock interviews, and virtual sessions that helped to perfect my interviewing skills, I was connected with a team of PAs and professionals who believed in uplifting under resourced communities in medicine. With their help through every step of the way, I was invited to multiple interviews and gained acceptance into multiple schools. I could not imagine where I would be without participating in this program! I look forward to keeping up with the program as I continue throughout my schooling and beyond!”

Eb Odeh

“The EDGE PA program was a gift that I never expected to get. I was in my second cycle of applying after finishing in the NFL. In my first cycle, I submitted my application without knowledge and understanding of the process and what was required to be a competitive applicant. I needed help navigating CASPA and preparing for interviews. The program matched me up with a mentor who had a background similar to mine. The mentors gave me and my constituents advice and personal feedback to not only get into the room and secure an interview, but also have the knowledge to compete for a spot with other applicants. EDGE provided us with mock interviews and CASPA reviews so that we were the most prepared applicants in the room. The opportunity given to me by EDGE is one that I am grateful for. I applied to 13 plus schools and received over seven interviews! However, I chose to stay loyal to the founders of the program and attend Charles Drew University with hopes not just to become a PA, but also, a mentor for the EDGE program and to give back as well!”

Dante Miles

“The EDGE program afforded me opportunities that I wouldn’t have otherwise had. I am forever grateful that a program like this exists. I am the first in my family to earn a bachelor’s degree and attempt an advanced degree in medicine. I had no idea the nuances and resources that I would need to apply to PA programs. This program has helped me to feel more prepared to start and complete a PA program. I’m reminded that I have the confidence and ability to succeed in a program and pass the PANCE. Even after being encouraged to pursue other careers, I knew that I wanted to be a PA. I hope to give back to the EDGE program and support others in their journey to becoming PAs and diversifying healthcare. This Fall 2024 I will be attending A.T. Still University in Santa Maria, CA.”