There’s no place like home: Students share how they discovered their true calling and found ATSU
Posted: April 8, 2025
Every healthcare career starts somewhere. Some ATSU students come to the University on a direct path, while others follow a winding journey filled with twists and turns. ATSU, with its emphasis on compassion and adaptability in healthcare, embraces students from varied professional backgrounds and career experiences. These individuals serve as inspiration for their peers and others who may follow in their footsteps, and their broad perspectives and unique skills enrich the University’s collaborative learning environment. Although each student’s path may have been different, their journeys reflect a shared determination to follow their hearts and serve their communities.
Before ATSU, I was an athletic trainer and massage therapist.
Breena Miller, MS, fourth-year medical student at ATSU’s School of Osteopathic Medicine in Arizona (ATSU-SOMA)
Breena Miller’s path to osteopathic medicine has been shaped by a deep passion for health, healing, and personal growth.
Her journey began with a focus on athletic training, where she gained hands-on experience working with athletic trainers, orthopedic surgeons, and sports medicine physicians. This exposure sparked an interest in the human body, prompting her to pursue a master’s degree in anatomy and cell biology. During this time, she worked as a massage therapist and as an athletic trainer, blending clinical and therapeutic practices.
As a massage therapist and athletic trainer, Miller found herself limited in the scope of treatments she could offer, which led her to seek a career with various patient management opportunities. This desire to provide comprehensive care ultimately led her to pursue osteopathic medicine.
“I found myself longing for a career where I could provide a broader spectrum of care and continue making a difference in people’s lives,” she says.
The transition to medical school was not without challenges. As a first-generation medical student, Miller often felt lost and struggled with preparing for the MCAT. Despite these obstacles, her determination never wavered. After a setback with her first MCAT attempt, she persevered and was accepted into ATSU-SOMA, confident her journey had only just begun.
Now, as she looks ahead to residency, Miller is focused on specializing in sports medicine and further developing her skills as an osteopathic physician.
“Looking back, I’m confident that each step has brought me closer to my ultimate goal of being able to offer more comprehensive, holistic care to those who need it most,” Miller says.
Before ATSU, I was in the Marine Corps.
Donald L. Bird III, first-year medical student at ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM)
For Donald Bird, his dream career was always to be a physician. But after having some troubles in life and college, he changed his direction and joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 2018. He spent four years as a forward observer, using his time in the military to center himself. He was stationed with 2nd Battalion 10th Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and in February 2020, was deployed to Okinawa, Japan, in support of 1st Battalion 6th Marines.
“When I first joined the Marine Corps, I questioned whether I wanted to be in medicine for myself or because other people expected it out of me,” Bird says. “However, I continuously yearned to be back in school, and learning about medicine was the only thing that truly made me happy.”
After his honorable discharge, he used the GI Bill to pay for his last two years of college and started working as a medical registrar. Being in a healthcare environment and talking with physicians cemented his dream as his own.
“Upon returning to school, it was difficult to readjust to life outside of the military,” Bird says. “My life had lost a lot of structure, and I was intimidated that my knowledge base would not return to me after spending so much time doing something else.”
After completing his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, Bird is now attending ATSU-KCOM and living his dream. Following graduation, he will be commissioned into the U.S. Navy on active duty with the hopes
of matching into a Navy orthopedic surgery residency.
“I am relieved I was wrong about myself,” he says. “I am extremely proud of myself, as are my wife and parents.”
Before ATSU, I was a teacher.
Melanie Bemis, first-year dental student at ATSU’s Missouri School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-MOSDOH)
For 16 years, Melanie Bemis taught middle school and high school science classes, as well as the gifted and talented program, in her rural Idaho community. She went into teaching at the encouragement of her mother, but with a lifelong love of science and health, her true aspiration was to become a health professional. She finally decided to change careers in 2019 with the goal of starting dental school when her youngest child would be entering college in 2023.
“It’s really hard to give up a job that is fulfilling much of the time, to leave your family and loved ones, even if temporarily, to go pursue something completely new,” says Bemis. “But, there isn’t a day that goes by that I wake up wishing I was doing anything else.”
She encountered many hurdles before her acceptance to ATSU-MOSDOH. She worked full-time while taking care of a home and two teenagers, completing prerequisites, and studying for the Dental Admission Test, not to mention several dental school admissions officers telling her she was too old to apply and it would be too hard for her to succeed.
“I was drawn to ATSU because their admissions officer treated me like an individual, like a human being, and did not close a lid on my potential,” Bemis says. “I am grateful to have been accepted here. Additionally, I am really blessed to have very supportive children and family, a life partner, and friends who have continuously encouraged me and believed in me.”
Before ATSU, I was a public health student.
Chidalu Mbonu, MPH, first-year student in the Central Coast Physician Assistant program at ATSU’s College for Healthy Communities
When Chidalu Mbonu reflects on her journey to ATSU, she says she didn’t change paths – her path became clearer.
“As is common for many children, my career choices varied at different times in my life. In high school, I was on the path to becoming a civil engineer. In community college, I was a biology major/undecided before finding my passion and calling in public health,” she says. “However, in all my choices, there was a constant: the desire to be of service to my neighbor and improve the lives of those around me, including individuals who are low income or living with disabilities.”
Mbonu aspired to be an accessible public health practitioner, and she believed becoming a clinician would help her achieve this goal. In her hometown of Lagos, Nigeria, Mbonu says the PA profession is largely unknown. She first discovered it while volunteering at the local fire department near her alma mater.
Mbonu decided to become a PA during her final year of college amid the COVID-19 pandemic, realizing the PA profession’s generalist medical education aligned better with her vision of serving where she’s most needed. Although her journey to ATSU was filled with challenges, she viewed these obstacles as blessings, helping prepare her to be the best public health PA she could be.
Before ATSU, I was a dental lab technician and phlebotomist.
Gabriel Roye, fourth-year dental student at ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH)
Before enrolling at ATSU-ASDOH, Gabriel Roye worked as both a dental lab technician and a phlebotomist, careers providing him with hands-on experience in healthcare but not fully satisfying his desire to connect with patients.
“As a dental lab technician, I was restoring smiles on computers and never really saw the fruits of my labor,” Roye says. “I just hoped one day I would get to see my work impact the lives of patients I cared for.”
The transition to dentistry wasn’t easy, though. Working as a phlebotomist during the COVID-19 pandemic, he often found himself drawing blood in the middle of the night for minimum wage. During this time, he prayed his dream of becoming a dentist would one day become a reality, even when it felt out of reach.
“It was a grueling job,” Roye says. “This experience taught me patience and endurance. I learned in order to lead others and fulfill your life’s calling, you must first be willing to humble yourself and serve others.”
Looking back, Roye believes his decision to pursue dentistry was guided by a higher power.
“It was all God and none of me,” he says. “Making the decision to submit my life to something greater than myself was the best decision I could have ever made.”
Now, as he approaches graduation, Roye plans to return to the Southeastern U.S., where he hopes to open his own practice and serve underserved communities. He also plans to continue his work with Operation Renewed Hope, providing dental care to remote areas in need.
Before ATSU, I was a clinical research coordinator.
Rosanna Holod, first-year student in the Central Coast Physician Assistant program at ATSU’s College for Healthy Communities
Rosanna Holod always dreamed of going to medical school, but she had never considered becoming a physician assistant (PA). After graduating in 2020 with a bachelor of science degree in biology, she began working as a clinical research coordinator.
Holod had the privilege of working alongside many inspiring physicians, nurse practitioners, and PAs who shared their “why” with her. That’s when she realized becoming a PA was her true calling.
“It almost seemed crazy that I never knew this career option existed, especially with how perfectly the purpose of our career fit my ‘why,’” Holod says.
Coming from an immigrant family, she experienced life through a unique lens, where health was always considered life’s true wealth. Despite having limited financial resources, she learned good health and family were the most important things in life.
Holod began applying to PA programs in 2021, facing more than 40 rejections before finally receiving an acceptance from ATSU in 2024. As a low-GPA applicant, she worked tirelessly to prove her commitment to the profession. She credits ATSU for recognizing her potential, saying the program’s holistic review process made her feel truly seen.
“As each day goes by, I know 100% I’ve made the right decision,” she says. After graduation, she plans to pursue a career in family medicine and primary care, a specialty she is passionate about and believes is crucial for overall health.
Before ATSU, I was a teacher in the United Kingdom.
Reis O’Neill, student in the Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program at ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences
Reis O’Neill’s path to ATSU was anything but direct. Originally from the United Kingdom, O’Neill started out teaching history and physical education to grades 7-12. He also worked as a manual laborer and a movie and TV extra. His career path, he says, was unclear until two years ago.
His wife, who he met 10 years ago in college, enrolled in ATSU’s Physician Assistant Studies program, while O’Neill stayed behind in the U.K., initially pursuing teaching as a way to move to the U.S. However, after the revocation of a visa option in 2018, he moved to Nanjing, China, in 2019 to teach English while navigating the green card process, which he completed in 2021.
Upon arriving in the U.S., O’Neill began working as a technician at an outpatient rehabilitation clinic in Ahwatukee, Arizona. There, he discovered his deep interest in rehabilitation, particularly hand therapy, which aligned with his background in education and physical activity. This led him to pursue ATSU’s Occupational Therapy program.
“I thought the process would be simple, but with my degrees being from overseas, it was an arduous process,” he says. “Ultimately, I had to work an additional year as a technician while completing a total of 10 accelerated prerequisite classes to allow me to apply for the next student cycle.”
Now, O’Neill has successfully navigated these obstacles. After he graduates in June 2025, he plans to
specialize in hand therapy and become a certified hand therapist.
“At times I envy those who knew what they wanted to pursue right out of college, but I am so grateful for the experiences I’ve had leading up to this moment,” O’Neill says.
Before ATSU, I was a freelance voice actor.
Raven Lirio, first-year medical student at ATSU’s Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine (ATSU-KCOM)
As an avid fan of video games and cartoons, Raven Lirio would often watch YouTube videos of her favorite shows and games. That’s how she stumbled upon the world of home voice-over and was inspired to pursue it as a hobby in 2014. By 2019, it had turned into a freelance career and became her full-time side hustle as she completed her undergraduate degree.
“I had been interested in the field of medicine since I was quite young, but being in a creative field expanded my horizons and inspired me in ways I never expected,” Lirio says. “Through working with various clients, I learned how to build rapport and maintain relationships, similar to how physicians do the same with their patients. I was also able to use my experience in medicine to further my voice-over career by assisting in medical narration for the various practices I worked for.”
Additionally, voice-over led her to the communications field, where she shot documentaries and met people around the world. These experiences exposed her to daily life and hardships faced in diverse communities, deepening her cultural perspectives and shaping her as a future physician. While Lirio has since shifted her focus to her studies at ATSU-KCOM, she envisions combining her creative and medical background to better reach underserved communities and improve healthcare literacy and education, ultimately enhancing patient-centered care.
“I feel my experiences in voice-over led to me being a better communicator and will assist me in helping patients feel heard,” she says. “I look forward to bringing my unique perspective to the patients I serve.”
Before ATSU, I was in the U.S. Air Force and a police officer.
David Orr, first-year student in the Online Doctor of Athletic Training program at ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ATSU-ASHS)
David Orr’s career journey reflects a deep commitment to healthcare, fitness, and service to others. After enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in 1982 as a canine handler in law enforcement, Orr transitioned to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, where he served until retiring in 2011. His passion for health and well-being, long an interest but not fully explored during his law enforcement career, became his new focus.
Before enrolling in ATSU-ASHS’ online Doctor of Athletic Training program in spring 2024, he earned his associate’s degree in culinary arts in 2012, a bachelor of science degree in athletic training in 2017, and a master of science degree in sports performance training in 2023. Orr currently serves as a firefighter and advanced EMT with the Clark County Fire Department in Las Vegas.
Orr’s extensive experience as an athletic trainer includes work in secondary schools, in occupational settings, in the military, and with individual athletes. His approach emphasizes holistic care, involving patients in every step of their healthcare journey. Having faced multiple occupational injuries throughout his career, Orr personally understands the importance of proper rehabilitation and sees athletic training as a way to prevent others from suffering similar setbacks.
“I place a great deal of emphasis on the whole person model of healthcare, involving the person in all healthcare and sports performance decisions,” he says. “I believe each person should determine their own goals and choose the path to achieve those goals.”
Before ATSU, I was a senior clinical trial assistant.
Dimitri Mahee, fourth-year dental student at ATSU’s Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health (ATSU-ASDOH)
Although Dimitri Mahee enjoyed his fulfilling career in clinical research and contributing to approval of drugs through the Food and Drug Administration, he always felt a deeper calling to dentistry.
His interest in dentistry was first sparked in high school during a conversation with his father. He was initially drawn to architecture and engineering, but a psychology course at Northeastern State University in 2012 made him reconsider dentistry. After taking a personality test suggesting dentistry as a career path, Mahee realized it was his true calling.
Returning to school after a five-year hiatus was a challenge, but Mahee pressed on. After his first attempt at the Dental Admission Test (DAT) in 2015 was unsuccessful, he retook it in 2020. His efforts paid off when he received conditional acceptance to ATSU-ASDOH, contingent on a higher DAT score. Before even knowing if he was successful, he and his family had prepared to move nearly 1,200 miles from Kansas City, Missouri, to Gilbert, Arizona. Throughout the difficult transition, his wife, children, and faith were his unwavering motivation.
Mahee’s journey has been one of faith, growth, and perseverance, and looking back, he is certain he made the right decision. After graduating in May 2025, he plans to serve the Indian Health Service, providing dental care to American Indian communities.
“Rejection was part of the process, but it never defined my path – progress and perseverance did,” he says. “I firmly believe that nothing happens by coincidence, and I feel incredibly blessed to be where I am today.”
Before ATSU, I was a business leader.
Tami Fife, MHS, doctor of health administration student at ATSU’s College of Graduate Health Studies
For more than 20 years, Tami Fife worked at Hewlett-Packard (HP) in roles across marketing, business, and product development. As her career progressed, she began to feel a strong desire to make a meaningful impact in her community. She decided to pursue a master’s degree in health science, uncertain where it would lead.
In her final years at HP, she was a leader in the healthcare business segment. She was exploring ways to become more involved in healthcare when a friend introduced her to a volunteer committee at Terry Reilly Health Services, a community health center (CHC). This experience quickly evolved into an unpaid consultancy role, where she helped the CEO develop marketing strategies in her spare time.
She eventually left HP and the information technology field in 2014 to join Terry Reilly Health Services, where she now serves as chief operating officer and chief information officer (CIO).
“My CHC is the largest federally qualified health center in Idaho,” Fife says. “As it continues to grow, I recognize the importance of developing my skills to keep pace and to grow as a leader.”
Fife never imagined pursuing a doctorate later in her career or returning to the IT field as a CIO. However, she understood the only constant in healthcare is change. She enrolled in ATSU’s Doctor of Health Sciences program to navigate growth and change, and ultimately become a better leader and mentor.
“I feel as if I’ve come full circle,” she says, “and this time, I’m standing a little taller, fully aware that my efforts are making a meaningful difference.”