After moving across the country in the midst of a pandemic, Alexa Silva was able to find a home at the School of Health Professions.

Before Alexa Silva became a PA student at Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP), her journey began all the way in Colorado, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Biology at the University of Colorado, Denver. Prior to SHP, Silva was a certified nursing assistant (CNA) from 2012-2019, a student research assistant, as well as a professional research assistant in cancer immunology and microbiology.

Growing up Silva had a very tight-knit relationship with her family. “My sister is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. She had a great deal of impact on my life.” In fact, she became a long-time CNA for a woman with multiple sclerosis who was quadriplegic. During Silva’s seven–year journey as a CNA she realized “giving people the compassion, patience, and love that they need is what is important to me,” therefore she began applying to PA school.

When Silva got the news she was accepted into the Rutgers School of Health Professions PA Program, she was absolutely thrilled. “Everyone [at SHP] is so kind, They want to get to know me, I felt very at home here”

Upon accepting her offer at SHP, Silva faced a major hurdle, moving across the country during the middle of a pandemic. “Doing my first year online and not having friends or family here was incredibly difficult.” Thankfully both her family back at home and the School of Health Professions provided a great support system, “I felt close to faculty, like I could call them my friends. They fostered independence and diligence, encouraging us to know that our graduate journey is what we make of it.”

Silva’s journey during PA school has been filled with many pivotal moments. “[The] transition between didactic and clinical and now, clinical into working has been daunting, but exciting.” The variety of courses Silva has taken at SHP has allowed her to feel significantly more comfortable in her work. “I can translate book knowledge into actual patient care. I had one of those moments oh ‘wow, I’m actually here fulfilling my dream.”

While at SHP Silva also met an amazing group of peers in her classes. Throughout the years they held each other accountable and had each other’s backs through the program. “Having friends who know what you’re going through is so important, especially in graduate school. We bring unique experiences to our friend group.” Through this experience Silva and her friends have been able to explore the tri-state area, creating core memories together.

When Silva is not in class she tutors PA students, “I like giving back. You need that encouragement and positivity. You need that light to pull you through when studies get rough.”

The future is looking bright for Silva. She has recently been accepted into the RWJ Advanced Practice Provider Emergency Medicine Fellowship based in New Brunswick, NJ which she will begin this summer.