ATSU-ASHS Physician Assistant program provides foundation for future success
Posted: April 7, 2025
From nearby Gilbert, Arizona, A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies student Malek Sayed, PA, ’26, knew a lot about ATSU even before beginning the application process.
In fact, it was those experiences with people connected to the University that led him to apply.
“I chose ATSU because I had the opportunity to connect with alumni during my clinical experience prior to PA school,” he said. “Observing their development and success as confident providers solidified my belief that the PA program at ATSU is exceptional. As a current student, I am confident that I made the right choice, as the faculty here have done an outstanding job preparing me for the PANCE, our national certification exam.”
Sayed, a first-generation student, graduated from Arizona State University summa cum laude with a bachelor’s of science in biological science.
He serves as a student ambassador for Residential Student Life and the Leadership and Professional Development Chair with Kettel Society, the PA program’s student association.
“For Kettel Society, I love building up a campus culture to be proud of. Any PA program across the country will be very intense and demanding, so being able to provide opportunities and empower my peers to network and form intercollegiate relationships before entering the workforce is an awesome part of my role at Kettel. I wish nothing but the best for my peers. Additionally, as a student body, we help break the monotony of school. Remembering to decompress and prevent burnout among my peers means that we enter the workforce stronger together,” Sayed said.
“As a student ambassador, I take pride in reassuring prospective and accepted students that our school promotes a collaborative environment, rather than fostering competition. While we are trained to be ‘the most competitive applicants,’ in practice, we function as part of an interdisciplinary team, working together to enhance patient care. Serving as an ambassador also allows me to continually learn about the other programs, gaining insights I might not otherwise have.”
Off campus, Sayed enjoys hiking and working out, and also loves to cook.
“I believe food is the key to bonding, so making delicious food and sharing with the people I care about fills me with joy,” he said.
In the program, Sayed said his favorite part of being an ATSU student is the supportive atmosphere that fosters growth and development.
“We are encouraged to explore diverse perspectives on various healthcare modalities. For example, exposure to fields such as naturopathic medicine and chaplaincy, both of which were new to me, has broadened my ability to provide comprehensive care. This experience has reinforced the importance of recognizing that patients are multi-dimensional, and that being exposed to a wide range of approaches, within a nonjudgmental learning environment, is essential to providing holistic care,” he said.
Sayed says professionally, he’s committed to achieving excellence, and ATSU is helping him develop the tools to get there.
“To me, excellence is defined by saving lives, restoring trust in medicine, and delivering comprehensive, patient-centered care,” he said. “I am confident that ATSU has provided a strong foundation, and it is now up to me to apply myself fully in order to realize this goal.”