ATSU’s Mesa campus provides perfect setting for Physician Assistant student’s studies
Posted: February 13, 2025
Pursuing a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies degree isn’t easy. It requires discipline, passion, and countless hours of studying. A.T. Still University-Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS) student Emily Miller, PA, ’26, is thriving in this environment, and when she needs to take a break she doesn’t have to go very far to clear her mind.
“My favorite part of being an ATSU student is the campus! I take long walks around the campus every day for study breaks,” she said. “It is truly so beautiful!”
Miller is from West Linn, Oregon, and has a bachelor’s of science degree in multidisciplinary sciences with minors in chemistry and economics from University of Oregon.
“I hope to be a competent PA (either family medicine or emergency medicine) who is a leader in the clinic and in the community,” she said. “Most importantly, I want to advocate for my patients and guide them through the confusing landscape of healthcare to improve their health and lives. ATSU-ASHS is not only teaching me the medical knowledge to achieve this, but the soft skills and cultural nuances required to be a well-rounded provider for my future patients.”
Miller said she chose ATSU during her interview, when she said faculty and staff welcomed her kindly and were extremely passionate about their work and the program.
“I also choose ATSU because of its long history of producing competent providers that go into communities and make a difference, because that is what I want to do,” she said.
In her free time, Miller enjoys playing golf, working out, baking, and cooking. On campus, she enjoys working alongside other graduate health sciences students in other disciplines, and serves as secretary of the Kettel Society (PA program student government) and student ambassador.
“I have always been drawn to leadership and mentoring others, mostly because people in those types of positions have helped me immensely get to where I am today. And because of that I want to give back in a similar way, which has drawn me to Kettel and being an ambassador,” Miller said. “So far in Kettel I have loved planning different events for my class to alleviate some stress. As an ambassador it has been rewarding talking to applicants on different interview days to give them a perspective of what PA school is really like so they can better decide what is best for them.”