Shooka Moallemi

Shooka Moallemi

PA Student
Class of 2025

University of South Carolina — Upstate, ’21, Cum Laude
Major: Biology

---

What activities and organizations were you involved in as an undergraduate?

I was treasurer of Tri-Beta Biological Honors Society and a member of American Society for Microbiology.

What did you do after you graduated?

After I graduated, I continued working as a medical scribe in the emergency department.

If you’ve done any volunteer work, please list what you’ve done and where.

I volunteered at SAFE Homes-Rape Crisis Coalition (SH-RCC), where I served as a domestic violence and sexual assault advocate. I also volunteered at St. Luke’s Free Medical Clinic where I created and filed patient charts, called patients for appointment reminders, and assisted staff with miscellaneous tasks. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I volunteered at the Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic. Additionally, I performed a drive for SRHS where I collected various items for
patients.

How or why did you become involved in this volunteer work?
I wanted to be able to serve my community and to make a positive impact in others’ lives.

What are some of your hobbies or interests?

I enjoy reading, traveling, and cooking.

Why do you want to be a PA?

I always knew I wanted to go into medicine from a young age, but I specifically want to be a PA to be able to provide compassionate care to all individuals and to make a difference. My interest in the PA profession stems from my background as an Iranian-American and witnessing social determinants of health firsthand. My volunteer work and previous job have further solidified my decision. As a PA, I will be able to work with other medical professionals and continuously learn from them in order to give each patient the finest care possible. Additionally, the flexibility and work-life balance that the PA profession
provides aligns with what I have envisioned for my life.

Why did you choose Presbyterian College PA Program?

Many factors went into my decision making for choosing PC! I chose PC’s PA program because of their faculty and the overall environment. During my interview, and even before, the staff was so welcoming and truly made me feel like they cared about me. PA school is an adjustment, and the staff’s attitude makes me feel reassured every day with my decision of attending this program! I also chose PC due to its location. Staying home close to my family was a huge factor to me, because I knew in PA school I would need my support system at all times. Lastly, their small class size was appealing to me as it allows
more room to build relationships with both the professors and my classmates.