Beth Bakos
Hometown: Clayton, OH
B.S.: Allied Health,
Marietta College

Justin Battle
Hometown:
Charles Town, WV
B.S.: Athletic Training,
Greensboro, NC

Beth Bughman
Hometown: Chagrin Falls, OH
B.S.: Environmental Geography,
Ohio University

I have spent the last five years working at Good Samaritan Hospital as a patient care technician. During my time there, I worked on a majority of the units, most recently being in surgery and detox. I am interested in all facets of medicine so I am extremely excited to get into our clinical rotations and see which specialty suits me best.

For the past four years, I have gained clinical experience as an athletic training student at Greensboro College, North Carolina where I worked in orthopedics, physical therapy, occupational therapy, family medicine, and general surgery. I was also a member of the varsity basketball team. Last summer, I interned with West Virginia University Medical & Health Services where I assisted the Director of Physical Therapy in an in/outpatient skilled nursing unit. Next year, I look forward to starting my clinical rotations where I hope to supplement my knowledge of orthopedics with a variety of other clinical experiences.

After school, I traveled a little and ended up in Middlesboro, Kentucky, working at the Cumberland Gap National Historical Park as a Geographic Information Systems intern for two years. It was during this time, I realized I wanted to become a health care provider in an economically deprived area, such as Appalachia. I am very excited about all my rotations.

Shannon Corcoran
Hometown: Marietta, OH
B.A: Biology,
Ohio State University

Meghann Hilgert
Hometown: South Jordan, Utah
B.A.: Genetics with a minor in Psychology
Ohio Wesleyan University

Throughout my high school and college years I obtained experience in the medical field through both an internship in ambulatory surgery at Marietta Memorial Hospital and various volunteer experiences. I am looking forward to the opportunity to experience a number of different areas of medicine during the clinical rotations while deciding which specialty I would like to pursue.

While earning my degree, I was involved with the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs as a geographical representative and was a member of the Academic Affairs Committee. I was also a part of Women in Science, Habitat for Humanity, Kappa Phi community service club, and the Sigma Phi zoology honors society. I was also a child/adolescent mentor for two years. After graduation, I worked at Mount Carmel New Albany Surgical Hospital as a med-surg, multi-skilled technician where I gained invaluable experience in patient care on the orthopedic inpatient unit. During this time I had the opportunity to shadow physicians and physician assistants that propelled my decision to pursue a career as a health care professional. I also volunteered at Columbus Children's Hospital in the Immune Deficiency Clinic for over a year and worked as a nursing assistant in a rehabilitation center in Westerville, Ohio. I am currently undecided as to which field I want to
pursue and am excited to experience all aspects of my clinical rotations.

Stephanie Jurden
Hometown: Columbus, OH
B.S.: Applied Health Science,
Bowling Green State University

Rashell Kimble
Hometown: Wooster, OH
B.S.: Biology,
Ohio Northern University

After graduation, I worked as a polysomnograph technician at Capitol Sleep Medicine in Grove City, Ohio. I would like to extend my thanks to all of Marietta College's corresponding preceptors for giving us the opportunity to learn through them. I am very eager and excited to begin my graduate education and clinical rotations.

While attending SSU, I was a member of the Pre-Med club, Tri-beta Biological Honor Society and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. During my time at SSU I volunteered at Southern Ohio Medical Center in several departments including the emergency room, pediatrics, and intensive care. In the summer of 2005, I participated in a volunteer program at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan. There I assisted in re-supplying the operating room and observed various surgical procedures. Although I am initially interested in family medicine, I am enthusiastically anticipating all of my clinical rotations. I hope to gain valuable insight into a variety of specialties enabling me to obtain a well-rounded understanding of all opportunities available.

While at Ohio Northern, I led several student organizations including Wesley Players, a chapel outreach group, and Tau Beta Sigma, a national honorary band sorority. During the summer of 2005 I was certified as a State Tested Nursing Assistant and I have accumulated over 800 hours of direct patient care. I am looking forward to the opportunities the Marietta College Physician Assistant Program will allow me, along with the knowledge I will gain over the course of the program. I am also eager to begin the clinical phase of the program, during which I hope to gain experience and discover which area of medicine suits me best.

Janie Knotts
Hometown: Elizabeth, WV
B.S.: Physiology/Molecular Biology with minors in Chemistry and Psychology,
Marshall University

Terry Kober
Hometown: Tampa, FL
B.S.: Marketing,
University of Florida

Heather Kohli Werner
Hometown: Lima, OH
B.S: Biological Sciences and a B.S. in Secondary Education,
Ohio University

While at Marshall, I participated in biology research for three years and worked as a pediatric oncology education research student at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for a summer. I also worked as direct care staff for individuals with autism and developmental disorders. I have volunteered at Camden Clark Memorial Hospital and shadowed physicians and physician assistants in family practice, pediatrics, and oncology, but at this time I am unsure of the field I wish to pursue. I am very excited to begin my clinical rotations to not only gain invaluable clinical knowledge but to also discover my calling in medicine.

Before matriculation into the Marietta PA Program, I had just finished a two year Respiratory Therapy Allied Health Program at Hillsborough Community College in Tampa, Florida. Before the Respiratory Program, I had no prior healthcare experience and felt that entering such a program would only benefit both me and future patients. After completing the RT program, I feel that I have a good base of medical knowledge and a great understanding of what qualities contribute to exceptional patient care. The healthcare field (patient care) is where I want to be, where I know I belong, and where I want to give back! I can honestly say that I am excited about each and every rotation that I will have through the Marietta College PA Program. It is so wonderful to have this opportunity, and I plan on taking full advantage of all those presented. Thus, I look forward to working with our preceptors and I am very grateful.

I taught Anatomy & Physiology and Biology at Warren High School in Vincent, Ohio, for five years prior to entering the Marietta College Physician Assistant Program. I am elated to commence my PA education, and I am looking forward to the experiences and opportunities I will encounter during clinical rotations.

Charles Lemasters
Hometown: New Martinsville, WV
B.S.: Athletic Training,
Marietta College

Heather Malson
Hometown: Cairo, WV
B.S.: Biology and a minor in Psychology,
West Virginia Wesleyan College

Jeanna Montavon
Hometown: McDermott, OH
B.S.: Biology and minor in Chemistry,
Shawnee State University

At an early age, I had combined interests in professional sports and health care which drove me to the field of Sports Medicine. In 2005, I graduated from Marietta College with a Bachelor's degree in Athletic Training. My passion to work as a Physician Assistant stemmed from experience I gained shadowing an osteopathic surgeon during my undergraduate years. Although my initial interest as a PA is in the field of orthopedic surgery, I am very excited about working in a wide-range of health care areas. I am looking forward to progressing my knowledge and confidence as a physician assistant by dedicating myself to the clinical setting.

While an undergraduate at WVWC, I was a member of Beta Beta Beta the national biology honorary, Psi Chi the national psychology honorary, and Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. I also participated in the Bonner Scholars program which afforded me the chance to volunteer at St. Joseph's Hospital and the Central West Virginia Center for Pregnancy Care in Buckhannon, WV. Most recently I worked for seven months at Camden Clark Memorial Hospital in Parkersburg, WV, as a patient care technician on the transitional care unit. I am eager to begin my journey as a physician assistant, and I look forward to the experience that my clinical rotations will offer along with the opportunity I will have to discover exactly which area of medicine sparks my deepest interest.

While working on my undergraduate degree I was a member of the pre-med club and Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society. I also worked as a lifeguard for two summers at an outdoor pool and for two years at the SOMC Life Center. In addition, I volunteered at SOMC in the emergency room shadowing a physician assistant. I am looking forward to starting the first step of my future as a physician assistant here at Marietta College and to an intense and exciting future as a physician assistant. I am also looking forward to clinical rotations to apply what I have learned, gain valuable experiences, and to determine which field of medicine I would like to pursue.

Amy Mulka
Hometown: Chardon, OH
B.S.: Chemistry and minor in Biology,
John Carroll University

Lindy Nester
Hometown: New Matamoras, OH
B.S.: Exercise Physiology,
Ohio University

My first medical exposure was in high school when I worked in an orthopaedic surgery practice. I then worked for six years in a urology practice where I became a medical assistant. As a medical assistant, I was involved directly with patients and physicians assisting in the lab and with office procedures. I also had the opportunity to observe many operations with the physicians for whom I worked. My primary interest is working in a field that involves surgery. However, I am extremely excited to start my clinical rotations in all fields of medicine to expand my knowledge and see what field I want to pursue.

I have gained clinical experience working as a nurse aide in a nursing home as well as job shadowing and volunteering at the hospital. My past experiences as a resident hall director of a dorm, several years as a camp counselor and teaching some courses at my previous college have helped to develop essential social skills that can be applied when working with patients. My choice to enter the medical field has already proven to be very rewarding, and I am excited to begin my career as a physician assistant. I am not sure as to what area I would like to work in at this time but I am eager to gain this knowledge and other clinical applications throughout the program.

I gained valuable work experience at WellWorks, Ohio University's Wellness Facility as a student manager, personal trainer and Risk Reduction Program trainer. Additionally, I volunteered with a PA at PARS Brain and Spine Institute. I am excited to begin my PA education at Marietta College. I am also looking forward to my clinical experiences next year so that I may evaluate which field of medicine I would like to pursue.

Kelly Prasser
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
B.A.: Psychology and minor in Biology,
Wittenberg University

Courtney Roland
Hometown: Westland, MI
B.S.: Biology,
University of Michigan

Tom Sarnovsky
Hometown: Davisburg, MI
B.S.: Health Science and minor in Exercise Science,
Oakland University

While attending Wittenberg, I was a member of the Pre-Health Professions Club, the Delta Gamma Sorority, and participated in intercollegiate sports as a member of both the Women's Crew and the Women's Varsity Golf Team. In addition to working at the Student Health Center at Wittenberg, I have been able to gain a significant amount of health-care experience as both an EMT and as a patient care assistant in the MICU at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati. After many years of waiting for this opportunity, I am excited to be at Marietta College to study and begin preparing myself for a career as a physician assistant. I look forward to beginning my clinical rotations to not only further develop the necessary expertise, but also to help me decide what area of medicine would be the best fit for my skills, interests, and personality.

During my undergraduate career, I worked as a laboratory assistant at the University of Michigan's Natural Science Museum and the School of Public Health and Environmental Sciences. After receiving my degree in 2004, I worked at the VA Hospital in Ann Arbor as a research technician in a lab of neuropharmacology. I investigated the motivation and reward circuitry of cocaine use in human postmortem samples. Additionally, I helped coordinate emergency care to the Ann Arbor community as a member of a First-Aid Support Team for the Washtenaw County Red Cross. I am looking forward to interacting with patients during my clinical rotations. I am also excited to discover the different specialties in medicine.

While in school I developed and worked as a rehabilitation technician for underserved patients who had no access to insurance covered physical therapy. While working, I was fortunate to learn a great deal about medicine and the health care system. I am very excited to begin my clinical rotations, and I look forward to gaining valuable experience in all the medical disciplines. Thank you very much for allowing me to learn from this experience that has been awarded me. I look forward to starting my clinical rotations.

Ryan Thompson
Hometown: Waterford, MI
B.S.: Biology/Chemistry,
Eastern Michigan University

Teresa Varney
Hometown: Ravenswood, WV
B.S.: Biology,
University of Charleston

After graduating in 2005 from Eastern Michigan University with a degree in biology/chemistry, I pursued my interest in the health care field by working as a physical therapy technician at William Beaumont Hospital in West Bloomfield, Michigan. Here I had the opportunity to work with patients and was also able to shadow the work of several physician assistants and doctors. I have interests in all fields of medicine and am looking forward to each of my clinical rotations.