Shanna Geiger
Providing
Personal, Low-Stress Care
Since
early 2005, Shanna Geiger, Navajo, has worked as a PA
providing primary care at Native Health, a small,
urban clinic in Phoenix, Arizona. Geiger and her
family received their care at this clinic when she was
growing up in Phoenix.
In fact,
she and her family currently receive their care at the
clinic.
Geiger works
with a physician, two registered nurses, one licensed
practical nurse and 3 medical assistants. “Some Native
Americans prefer seeing me because I’m Native American,”
says Geiger. “They are proud that one of their own is
taking care of them. A couple of patients prefer that I’m
the only one that touches them. We try to respect that. I
like working in a small facility. It’s more personal than a
big hospital. The patients are great and love coming here.
The practice isn’t stressful.”
Variety
of Experiences
“My original
plan was to go to medical school. I decided to be a PA when
I learned that it’s much easier for PAs, than for doctors,
to change fields and have a variety of experiences. Also,
you spend less time in school. I wasn’t married at the time
but I knew that I’d want to spend time with my family when
I had one.”
At college, Geiger, who loves sports, majored in biology
and minored in exercise science. During as well as
following college, Geiger was an assistant at a physical
therapy facility.
Geiger did her PA studies at the Arizona School of Health
Sciences where she
was in the NAPA track. “PA school was hard, particularly
the first year,” she says. “By then I was married and
had a child. I had to juggle that with studying. It was
stressful but I got through it. The second year was
easier. I had most of my clinicals at Phoenix Indian
Medical Center, and I did a couple in rural areas.
Be Commited
“Becoming a PA
isn’t easy. You have to work for it. Speak with your
counselor at college and make sure you get your
prerequisites. Develop good study habits. Learn how to
manage your time. Be strict with yourself about study, and
make sure you have good support.”
This
article was originally published in the Winter, 2007 issue
of Winds of Change.