Danielle Safaty is a graduate student in Marist's Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. She received her undergraduate degree from SUNY Upstate Medical University in Medical Biotechnology and has worked as a volunteer EMT-B at Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corp., a transport EMT-B at Emergency Ambulance Services, and as an Emergency Department Technician at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bethpage, NY.

What are your career goals?
Prior to entering this program, I always thought I would end up working in the emergency room because of my clinical experience. However, after learning about various disciplines in my didactic year here at Marist, my interests have definitely expanded. I am entering the clinical year in May 2018 with an open mind and willingness to explore the endless opportunities my new profession will present to me! Right now, I have a large interest in OB-GYN.

Why did you choose to pursue your graduate degree at Marist? 
Marist College was the school that stood out to me amongst the 27 other programs I applied to. I remember my interview day like it was yesterday. I was interviewing for a brand new program that didn’t even have a graduating class yet, and I couldn’t have felt more confident in the program and faculty. Yes, this program has incredible resources for us students to take advantage of as we prepare for clinical rotations and our new careers. However, in my case, it was the passion and dedication of the faculty and staff that allowed me to confidently pursue my graduate degree here.

Tell us about a project or course that was particularly meaningful to your professional development:
I spent my senior year at SUNY Upstate Medical working with a team of researchers and epidemiologist. I learned to appreciate that healthcare expands far beyond the scope of individualized medicine and includes the care of our communities at large. In our final semester of the didactic year here at Marist, we took a course titled “Epidemiology and Biostatistics”. This course reinforced the idea that as healthcare providers and professionals, we need to also consider the health of our general population and surrounding communities in order to make an effective and positive impact.

What advice would you give to a student considering pursuing a graduate degree at Marist?
I would like to remind those considering pursuing a graduate degree at Marist of a saying my mom frequently reminds me of: “what you put into it, is what you get out of it”. I would also say that though grades are important, a 4.0 GPA doesn’t necessarily mean you will be a compassionate and effective provider. Stay humble and remember no one is perfect. True success is measured by one’s ability to thrive after experiencing failure. If you ever feel like giving up, remind yourself why you chose this profession to begin with!