Hello! My name is Lillian Garber, and I am a Senior Spanish and International Health major at Clemson University with a minor in Life Sciences. This is a program that allows me to focus on science and public health disciplines while incorporating the Spanish language. I have had the opportunity to take classes that focus on topics such as life sciences, global health, public health, and the Latino healthcare system and the disparities that exist within this population. After graduating in May 2025, I intend to attend PA school in order to continue my passion for health science and serving others.

In order to prepare for PA school, I have used my time in college to gain experience working with patients in numerous different settings. I have spent time during my summers working as a camp counselor at a camp for kids with heart conditions. I was exposed to many different challenges that these kids face, and I was also able to see these kids form a community of people that have been through similar experiences as themselves. As someone who had a heart condition and attended this camp, being a counselor allowed me to gain a different perspective seeing young kids dealing with these challenges. Additionally, I have worked as a caregiver at an assisted living home where I was able to work with a different patient population. I worked with patients that suffered from Alzheimer's/Dementia. This was an eye-opening experience where I spent my time navigating new situations each day. Lastly, during a semester abroad in Spain, I completed an internship at a Multiple Sclerosis Clinic. This experience taught me the importance of communication and allowed me to further my Spanish speaking abilities. The patient population at the clinic was the largest age range that I had experienced, so learning how to best help each patient was extremely important. These different experiences have taught me a lot and will be experiences that I reflect on as I move forward in my education and career.

I believe that becoming a PA will allow me to incorporate my skills and values into my work. Being a PA requires patience, collaboration, and empathy- values that I have developed through different experiences during my time at Clemson. Additionally, I have developed many skills that will help me succeed as a PA. For example, being an advocate for patients or leading a group will help me to be the best PA that I can be.