Accepted to South College PA program, located in Knoxville, TN. This is a 27-month PA program and Tanner has an expected graduation in December 2024.

How long were you with BVDerm?
Almost two years.

What is the most important thing you learned during your time as a MA?
The medical field is fast-paced and sometimes hectic, but with the excellent example of the providers at BVDerm, I learned how to navigate that efficiently without compromising the quality-of-care patients deserve.

What made you want to go back to school at this point in your life?
I had known for quite some time that I wanted to be a PA, and I started working at BVCD with that dream in mind. Going back to school was to enable me to become an excellent provider someday.

Have you always wanted to be a Physician’s Assistant, or did this career path evolve over time?
I initially wanted to do research in molecular biology when I started my undergraduate schooling at CU Boulder. After taking some classes that highlighted the ins-and-outs of research, it became clear to me that I wanted to do something much more “people-facing”. Medicine seemed like the next best step towards this goal, and I ended up falling in love with it. A friend told me about the PA career during my junior year and it sounded like a perfect fit for me, so I went for it!

Do you have any memories you'd like to share about your time with BVDerm?
I remember having a lot of fun on the job with all the other staff. There were many moments of laughter and joking around, while still being totally professional. It was a great team to work with!

What inspires you?
People who have the ability to easily make everyone around them feel seen and loved inspire me.

What did you learn from the team at BV Derm?
I learned that you have to put yourself in the shoes of the patient to provide excellent care. Really think about the minutiae of what you’re asking the patient to do: the time commitments, cost of prescriptions, accessibility of bandages for post-op care, etc.

What challenges do you think you will face in the next few years?
Once I become a PA, I think it will be challenging to adjust to the workload, the hours, and the lifestyle while maintaining healthy relationships outside of work. However, PA school is already teaching me how to deal with high-stress situations like this.

What are your hobbies and passions, outside of school and work?
I love to rock climb and play music! I also love to connect with others via church and get involved with what I can in order to serve.