By Janna Albano Que
School of PA Studies Class of 2027
Student Ambassador
jannaque.spas27@ketchum.edu
I had long yearned to participate in a mission project abroad. During my undergraduate years, I finally received the opportunity to serve in the mountains of Palawan, a remote island in the Philippines. With no internet or cell service, we were encouraged to fully immerse ourselves in the lives and culture of the Palawan people.
My time as a student missionary revealed the profound needs of underserved communities across the world. I was inspired to become a provider through witnessing the diligence of the understaffed medical workers and the gratitude of patients who often walked hours to receive care. My encounters with the Palawans taught me that being a healthcare provider is only one small piece of a much larger picture. Building trust and creating strong relationships are truly the heart of medical service.
My passion for medicine bloomed when I served as a missionary in the Philippines for eight months. One event in in particular changed my perspective. One night, a woman’s wailing echoed throughout the mountain village. Upon request, I was given the opportunity to witness a natural childbirth in the mission clinic. It happened so fast: the birth, the mother’s radiant joy, the hush of the room. As I looked at the newborn, I was in awe of God’s creation. That solidified my desire to serve others in the medical field as a PA.
Since returning, I have continued to deepen my involvement in patient care through my work as a medical scribe, EMT, and ER technician. My desire to serve landed me back in Palawan this past summer, this time as a part of a medical and dental outreach team. With PA school around the corner, I was able to contribute more intentionally assisting in procedures, offering care, and learning from providers who modeled compassion and skill.
My medical mission experiences have affirmed my calling is to become a PA dedicated to serving in areas of need. I am eager to bring my training to underserved communities, whether abroad or at home, and to foster meaningful relationships with every patient I meet!
