Crista Berry
Hometown: Coshocton, OH
B.S.: Biology,
Mount Vernon Nazarene University
I have always been interested in the medical field, which is why I pursued an undergraduate degree in biology. During the first two years of college, I debated about which area of healthcare was for me, until I was introduced to the Physician Assistant profession. At Mount Vernon Nazarene University, I was active in the Biology Club and also was a lab assistant for the Biology Department. To get more healthcare experience, I worked during school as a retail pharmacy technician. I also shadowed several physicians and physician assistants in specialties such as family medicine, urology, orthopedics, and emergency medicine. I am undecided about which specialty I want to pursue, but I am eager for clinical rotations so that I can find which area fits me best.
Martha Blaney
Hometown: Lancaster, OH
B.S.: Exercise Science,
Ohio University
Prior to attending Ohio University, I had discovered my passion for helping others and envisioned my future as a healthcare provider. My experiences at Ohio University facilitated my journey to physician assistant school through many interactions, including those at WellWorks, Ohio University’s Wellness program. It was there that I began my patient contact experience as a student manager and risk reduction trainer. Following graduation, I gained additional experience while working as a medical assistant for a dermatologist in Dublin, Ohio. Assisting patients on a full time basis further confirmed my decision to become a PA. The past year has been a fantastic preface for PA school and I am anxious and eager to begin my journey!
Rita Bockholt
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX
B.S.: Microbiology/Chem/Psychology
Texas Tech University
During my undergraduate study, I volunteered in the surgery clinic at University Hospital in Lubbock, Texas. After graduating from Texas Tech University, I obtained a CNA license and worked as a resident caregiver in an alzheimer’s assisted living facility. I then worked as a medical assistant for both family practice and internal medicine doctors and also an oncologist who specialized in treating breast cancer. To better understand the role of a physician assistant, I spent several months shadowing a family practice physician assistant. Although I greatly enjoyed my experiences in family practice settings, I look forward to my clinical rotations and the opportunity to be immersed in different practice settings to help me decide my future area of practice.
Grant Brame
Hometown: New Lexington, OH
B.S.: Exercise Science/Psychology
Ohio University
Since 2003, I have been very fortunate to be a part of the team at Fairfield Medical Center in Lancaster, Ohio. I began working in the Physical Medicine Department where I gained a considerable amount of experience by working with many great physical therapists and assistants. In March of 2007, I began working as an exercise physiologist in Cardiopulmonary Rehab and worked there up until starting classes. I have also had the opportunity to observe multiple surgeries and develop professional relationships with many healthcare professionals at FMC. To this day it still amazes me how much support I have received, not only from my wife and our families, but also from my co-workers. My thanks go to you all. My primary interest would include cardiothoracic/general surgery as well as family medicine. I am most excited about beginning my career as a physician assistant within the rural southeastern Ohio area that has been dear to me since my youth.
Megan Brown
Hometown: Bryan, OH
B.S.: Biology
Ohio Northern University
My desire to work in the healthcare field stemmed from a volunteer opportunity in high school at a local nursing home. This experience led me to major in biology at Ohio Northern University. There I was an active member of Habitat for Humanity, Northern Christian Fellowship, and played several intramural sports. I spent additional healthcare hours shadowing physician assistants and working as a surgical aide: transporting patients, scheduling procedures, and observing surgery. I am excited to begin my journey as a Physician Assistant at Marietta!
Matthew Charlton
Hometown: Boise, ID
B.S.: Exercise Science
Linfield College
While attending Linfield College, I participated in student senate, track and field, and various pre-health clubs. After graduating in the spring of 2007, I worked as a rehabilitation technician for Saint Luke’s Idaho Elks Rehabilitation Services in Boise, ID. These experiences led to my decision to pursue a career as a physician assistant. I am very interested in the field of sports medicine/orthopedics at this time, but look forward to learning about other specialties as well.
Brennan Cribbins
Hometown: Middleburg Heights, OH
B.S.: Biochemistry/Economics
Marietta College
For my undergraduate degree I graduated with a major in biochemistry and a minor in economics from Marietta College. I also played baseball at Marietta for four years, and was part of the National Championship team in 2006. While I attended high school in the Cleveland area, I became interested in science and medicine and decided to become a physician assistant my sophomore year of college. I am excited to be a part of the PA program here in Marietta and look forward to the upcoming years in school and as a PA.
Jessica DeBrosse
Hometown: Piqua, OH
B.S.: Health Science
Otterbein College
I received my Bachelor’s degree from Otterbein College, where I was a member of the pre-medical honor society, Alpha Epsilon Delta. While attending Otterbein, I obtained valuable healthcare experience by volunteering in the emergency room at a local hospital, and also by working as an assistant in a dentist’s office. After graduation, I had the opportunity to shadow a physician assistant working in surgery, and I also worked at a hospital in the radiology department as a patient transporter. The healthcare experience that I obtained played a big part in my decision to pursue a career as a physician assistant. As of right now, my interest is in family medicine, but I am looking forward to the opportunity to explore the different areas of medicine during my rotations.
Meghan Endsley
Hometown: Cambridge, OH
B.S.: Health Sciences/Psychology
Marietta College
During my time at Marietta College I had the opportunity to care for geriatrics and special needs patients working for MediHome Health Care. As a nursing aide, I gained invaluable experience that was both rewarding and educational. I was also afforded the chance to shadow a PA working in family practice here in southeastern Ohio. Prior to beginning my undergraduate work I served five years in the United States Marine Corps. I have known since an early age that serving the community is the career path I would travel and these experiences only helped solidify my decision. I am eager to serve the southeastern Ohio and Appalachia area by giving the best patient care possible. Although my initial interest in the PA profession was family medicine, I look forward to exploring other specialties during my clinical rotations.
Jeremy Fisher
Hometown: Marietta, OH
B.S.: Biology
Ohio State University
During my undergraduate work at The Ohio State University, I was involved in several student organizations and was an officer in the Biological Sciences Honorary, Helix/TriBeta. While attending Ohio State, I fostered my interest in medicine by assisting the director of the General Clinical Research Center at OSU design a course for undergraduate students to introduce them to clinical research as an alternative to traditional laboratory research. After graduation, I worked for two years as an emergency department technician at Marietta Memorial Hospital. I look forward to my rotations in emergency medicine and surgery.
Amanda Graf
Hometown: Wooster, OH
B.S.: Biology
Baldwin-Wallace College
While pursuing an undergraduate degree in biology at Baldwin-Wallace College, I began volunteering at Southwest General Hospital in the post-anesthetic care unit. It was here that I obtained my first hands-on experience in health care and discovered how much I enjoyed interacting with patients. During summers, I volunteered at a hospital in my hometown as an emergency room aide, and participated in an EMS ride-along program. Through my experiences volunteering, I was exposed to the work of physician assistants and soon after I began shadowing several PA's in various fields of medicine. I was able to further my clinical experience during my senior year of college by participating in an internship with a local family practice physician. I have been interested in medicine for as long as I can remember, and I am extremely excited now to begin my journey to a career as a PA. I am especially interested in rheumatology, but I look forward to my rotations next year where I can learn about all fields of medicine and find the one to which I am best suited.
Erica Kaiser
Hometown: Barnesville, OH
B.S.: Bios/Pre-Physical Therapy
Ohio University
I am a recent graduate of Ohio University where I received my Masters of Biological Sciences. I have always known that I wanted to go into the medical field; however, I had a difficult time deciding which field of medicine to pursue, thus I shadowed and volunteered for a variety of health care providers. After gaining knowledge about the physician assistant field and shadowing a few PA’s, I knew this was the field for me. I am interested in surgery and oncology, but who knows which specialty I will choose after the clinical year. I am excited to begin this chapter in my life at Marietta College.
Maegan Klawinski
Hometown: Essexville, MI
B.A.: Biology/Psychology
Albion College
My first exposure to the healthcare field began when I was in high school and had the opportunity to work and shadow at a family practice. This experience inspired me to learn more about the Physician Assistant profession. During my undergraduate studies at Albion College, I had the opportunity to continue to shadow physician assistants along with volunteer at the hospital and the local free clinic, and work as a CNA in a nursing home. Through this patient contact experience I was able to gain a better understanding of the type of healthcare provider I would like to be. I am excited to be part of the Marietta College Physician Assistant Program and I look forward to all that I will learn and experience, especially in the clinical year.
Natasha Kline
Hometown: Woodsfield, OH
B.S.: Tech & Applied Studies
Ohio University
For the last seven years I have worked as a respiratory therapist at Barnesville Hospital. During my time there I worked various positions including staff therapist, sleep lab manager, and preceptor for respiratory students. I also taught BLS classes to hospital staff and the general public. For several years, I also worked in respiratory for two private home care companies that provided medical care and equipment to the public. I recently completed my BTAS degree at Ohio University. While at OU, I enjoyed being a tutor for biology. Now I look forward to my educational experience at Marietta College. There are many aspects of medicine that interest me and I am eager to expand my skills as a health care provider.
Elizabeth Menez
Hometown: Fort Mitchell, KY
B.A.: Chemistry
Hanover College
I graduated from Hanover College and fulfilled a premedical science curriculum with a major in chemistry. After graduation I worked the next 22 months in different dimensions of healthcare in order to gain experience in many facets. For instance, while working as a certified nursing assistant and pharmacy technician in Lexington, KY, I was able to obtain both hands-on patient care while familiarizing myself with commonly prescribed medications. Second, I worked as a clinical research associate at Kendle International in Cincinnati, OH, where I was part of a multifunctional team monitoring the long term safety and efficacy of FDA newly approved pharmaceuticals in late phase clinical trials. While assisting in the design, preparation, and implementation of clinical trials, I was able to gain an understanding of pharmaceutical research and its developmental process.
Danae Morrison
Hometown: Thornville, OH
B.S.: Pre-Medicine/Chemistry
Clearwater Christian College
While attending Clearwater Christian College, I gained valuable clinical experience by participating in an internship shadowing of an OB/GYN. I also worked as a lab assistant for anatomy and chemistry. After college, I worked as an S.T.N.A. for a year at an assisted living center and a long-term care facility. Although my initial interest is surgery, I am looking forward to exploring a wide range of medical fields.
Christopher Ney
Hometown: Shadyside, OH
B.S.: Nuclear Medicine Technology
Wheeling Jesuit University
While attending Wheeling Jesuit University I encountered my first experiences in the healthcare field. I worked part-time at a local family physician's office. During my degree program, I spent nine months in a hospital practicing nuclear medicine as an intern. The interaction with patients and clinical experience gained from that internship fueled my desire to pursue an even greater clinical challenge, a wider scope of practice, and a more intimate role in patient care. At this point I chose to work towards becoming a physician assistant. During my undergraduate education, I was also a four year member of the Campus Ministry Choir, a Campus Ambassador, and a hurdler with the Wheeling Jesuit University's track and field team. I am very proud to be a part of the MC PA Program. I not only look forward to furthering my education but also the opportunity to apply such knowledge in the clinical setting.
Bradley Pierce
Hometown: Caldwell, OH
B.S.: Sports Medicine
Marietta College
My medical experience began early on during my undergraduate studies with athletic training observation hours, and attaining a position as a rehabilitation aide in the Outpatient Physical Therapy Department of Marietta Memorial Hospital. After receiving my bachelor’s degree I worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer in the high school and clinical setting. The patient contact was the main thing that led to a career as a physician assistant. I am looking forward to learning more about the functioning of the human body in the coming year and putting that knowledge into practice in a clinical setting.
Elizabeth "Fizzy" Ramsey
Hometown: Danville, KY
B.S.: Sports Medicine/Biology
Marietta College
I was fortunate to experience a varied range of health care experiences throughout my undergraduate career. The diversity allowed me to observe the many facets of healthcare and see where I felt most valuable. Most of my hands-on clinical experience came from pursuing a degree in athletic training at Marietta College. Following graduation, I was hired by my alma mater to work as an athletic trainer. In addition to working in collegiate athletics, I worked as a Wellness Coordinator for Marietta Memorial Hospital. The combined administrative and hands-on experience helped further my interest in clinical medicine and the physician assistant career. I look forward to supplementing my knowledge of sports medicine and orthopedics with the extensive didactic year and variety of clinical rotations.
Melanie Reaume
Hometown: St. Clair, MI
B.S.: Physiology
Michigan State University
During my undergraduate education, I underwent training to become an emergency medical technician-basic. I then worked in EMS and was also employed as an in-home care provider for children with disabilities. I did extensive job shadowing of not only physician assistants in varying fields but also physicians, respiratory therapists and perfusionists. This exposure to various healthcare careers helped me to determine that a PA was the right choice for me. I also gained leadership experience by serving on the executive board for several student groups. I spent time volunteering at a free medical clinic working with pharmaceutical companies to gain medications for those without insurance. All of these experiences were truly irreplaceable and surely will help to shape my future career as a PA.
William "Jared" Rehl
Hometown: Zanesville, OH
B.S.: Agriculture
Ohio State University
I am excited to be a part of the class of 2011 here at Marietta College. My interest in the physician assistant profession grew steadily after my undergraduate education. After some time working and gaining experience away from higher education, I felt that it was time to pursue the training I would need to become a PA. Before applying to the program, I gained exposure to the PA profession through shadowing and observation opportunities with both physicians and physician assistants. I know Marietta College has a strong reputation for educating skilled practitioners. I look forward to my training and preparation and plan to utilize my skills in a medically underserved area.
Zachary "Zac" Rich
Hometown: Kennonsburg, OH
B.S.: Biology
Ohio State University
Prior to entering the Marietta Physician Assistant program, I spent four years attaining a degree in biology at The Ohio State University and one year working as a concierge at a retirement center. During my undergraduate career, I was an Air Force ROTC cadet for one year until deciding to focus more on my studies. For the next three years I became an avid buckeye fan and an OSU alumnus. Though I am unsure of the type of practice I would like to enter into after graduation, I am still fond of the Air Force and its opportunities and will consider this option again after clinical rotations. I’m looking forward to the clinical phase where I will have the opportunity to experience the vast settings that physician assistants have the opportunity to practice in.
Kaitlin Schupp
Hometown: Delaware, OH
B.S.: Biology/General Sciences
Bowling Green State University
My interest in health care led to my involvement in the American Medical Student Association, Students for Organ Donation, and undergraduate research, where I studied the effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) on the adrenal glands of rats. While attending Bowling Green, I was also a member of the Chi Omega Sorority, where we annually raised money for the Make a Wish Foundation. It was during this time that I was fortunate enough to shadow a physician assistant and affirm my passion for this career. When I am not in the classroom, I enjoy volunteering, running, reading, dancing, and hanging out with my family and friends. While I am unsure of what specialty I would like to pursue, I am eager to gain a plethora of knowledge from each of my clinical rotations in the following year.
Chad Showen
Hometown: Parkersburg, WV
B.S.: Sports Medicine
Marietta College
Masters: Exercise Science/Athletic Training
Marshall University
After graduating from Marietta College and becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer I decided to pursue my Masters Degree in Exercise Science and Athletic Training. While working towards my masters degree, I worked as a graduate assistant athletic trainer at a high school, university, as well as an orthopedic outpatient physical therapy clinic. During my studies I had several internships in family medicine, radiology, orthopedics, sports medicine and rehabilitation, and surgery. After graduating from Marshall University, I worked in an orthopedic outpatient physical therapy clinic as well as a wellness specialist for Marietta Memorial Hospital. I have gained valuable clinical and field experiences as an athletic trainer which have built a solid foundation to lead me into my studies as a physician assistant. I am eager to begin the clinical rotations and begin direct patient care. By keeping an open mind going into my clinical rotations, I feel I will be able to find which field of medicine I would like to practice.
Michael Snedeker
Hometown: Newark, OH
B.S.: Marketing/Finance
Indiana Wesleyan University
B.S.:Biology
Ohio State University
After beginning my post-graduate degree in business, I quickly realized that my career desires lie elsewhere. After finishing my continued biology studies at Ohio State, I began work as an operating room assistant at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus. For the past year I have had the privilege of assisting in the areas of general, orthopedic, plastic, ENT, neuro, ob/gyn, and urologic surgery. My primary professional interest is in pediatric surgery, though I am looking forward to the experience of all my clinical rotations.
Megan Talbott
Hometown: Marietta, OH
B.S.: Biology
University of Charleston
While at the University of Charleston, I was a member of Chi Beta Phi, science honor society and Kappa Tau Epsilon sorority. My clinical experience has included shadowing a physician assistant and working as a pharmacy technician for Rite Aid. I have participated in Relay for Life, March of Dimes, and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation benefits. I am initially interested in family medicine, but I am excited to begin clinicals, where I will gain knowledge in all areas of healthcare and determine the area of medicine for which I am best suited. I was born and raised in Marietta and upon completion of the Physician Assistant Program, I hope to continue my career in this area.
Daniel Vikartosky
Hometown: Norvelt, PA
B.S.: Speech Pathology/Psychology
Clarion University
Growing up, I always knew I wanted to be a health care provider. It was not until my junior year when I shadowed and talked at length with multiple physician assistants that I knew I wanted to be a PA. Presenting grant funded research at state and national levels as well as becoming a certified EMT during my undergraduate career, have provided great professional experiences from which to build. I look forward to my time here at Marietta and cannot wait to choose a specialty and work with patients in the field.
Paige Williams
Hometown: Richmond, IN
B.S.: Biology
Marietta College
While obtaining a biology degree from Marietta College, I was also a captain and four year letter winner of the varsity volleyball team, and a member of the Beta Beta Beta Science Honorary Society. As a member of the volleyball team, I was also named to the Academic All Ohio Athletic Conference my senior season. I entered college knowing that I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, but was not sure exactly which direction I wanted to go in. I began researching the career of a physician assistant and was instantly excited and interested. I knew it would be a career that would encompass all the things I loved learning about throughout college, and would also be a career that would bring me a life of personal fulfillment and growth. Although my current interests are surgery and orthopedics, I am open to all fields of medicine, and I am very anxious and excited to see which specialty best suits my skills and interests.
Sarah Zumbro
Hometown: Malta, OH
B.S.: Biochemistry
Marietta College
My healthcare exposure began during my undergraduate years at Marietta College where I spent time observing general surgeons and an ear, nose, and throat surgeon at Marietta Memorial Hospital. The time I spent in the hospital confirmed my desire to seek a career in the field of medicine. After completing my undergraduate degree, I volunteered in a family medicine practice and at Marietta Occupational Health Partners. Through volunteering, I became acquainted with several physician assistants and their roles in healthcare. This experience led me to pursue a career as a physician assistant. I am looking forward to my clinical year where I can gain patient contact experience and discover the area of medicine that best suits me.