Sam Purifoy is a physician assistant studies student at Grand Valley and is a graduate assistant for the Physician Assistant Studies Northern Michigan Program in the Traverse City Campus. Her assistantship started in January with Katie Aurand focusing on researching postpartum women in sports. Sam attended statistical analysis meetings, presented findings and results to various audiences, and assisted in the overall research submission to the Journal of Athletic Training, where she and her supervisor are hoping for official publication.

Sam’s current research assistance is focused on chronic disease management, specifically looking at Benzie and Kalkaska County. Her previous experience includes a position as a rural EMS, where she learned that people who reside in medical deserts often use emergency medical services. Her previous experience has allowed her to understand more gaps in healthcare. She recently launched a survey looking at hypertension in Benzie County and is looking to bring blood pressure monitors for residents in these counties. Prior to launching this initiative, they are working towards receiving grant funding to help with the cost of the necessary technology. Outside of her direct work with Katie, she has also assisted Patrick Smith through helping with applications, identifying grants, and working on proposals to apply for grants.

Prior to her graduate assistantship, Sam worked in the non-profit sector as a development coordinator and learned immensely through that opportunity. However, she is appreciative of her current graduate assistantship because it allows her to gain research skills that she finds to be unique within her position. She emphasized the importance of research in physician assistance studies and valuable the knowledge and experience will be when working on the clinical side of the field.

Sam knew she wanted to pursue this specific graduate assistantship because she was already acquainted with the staff through her program and was eager for the opportunity to work more closely with them. She was not familiar with the research side of the field prior to beginning her contract and found it an intimidating area to enter. However, she felt that her small team in Traverse City has made it feel welcoming and much less intimidating. Sam also expressed her appreciation for Dr. Aurand’s emphasis on provider well-being, which is extremely important for current and future clinicians to prevent burnout.

Sam is looking forward to the ongoing development of her communication skills in higher pressure conversations through strict deadlines and important research responsibilities. She is appreciative of her supervisor’s approach to self-reliance. Sam is encouraged to problem solve independently prior to approaching her supervisor for assistance. This practice has allowed her to gain confidence in her own abilities and to be intentional with collaboration.

Sam’s favorite part of the job is being able to work with community partners and working with public health. She has found that she enjoys public health much more than she thought she would. She has also enjoyed presenting educational modules in libraries throughout the Traverse City area, discussing hypertension and health practices.

After graduation, Sam is planning to pursue a physician assistant position in an ICU or Surgery department to practice higher acuity care early in her career. She then wants to pursue primary care due to the various types of cases clinicians are exposed to in a primary care setting.

Sam was the first GA to obtain her position and has since seen her department open another graduate assistantship position. She has recommended this position to many people within her program as she feels that it has greatly supplemented her education. Sam expressed the gratitude she feels for the experience she has gained and the connections she has made with community partners. She is also grateful for the opportunity she has had throughout her assistantship to explore the connection between herself, the community, clinicians, and research. She plans to continue participating in research beyond her time in this position as she believes that it will make her a better clinician overall.

We wish you all the best, Sam!