A psychology and biology double major, Wootten chose to pursue her medical career at a place she already calls home.
by Sarah Murphy
When Hannah Beth Wootten ‘24 talks about her time as an undergraduate at Presbyterian College, it is with enthusiasm and joy.
“I absolutely love PC,” said Wootten. She raves about her experiences with the small class sizes, which helped her build close relationships with her professors. She valued the tight-knit Blue Hose community that gave her a sense of belonging and a place to call home for four years.
When it came time to make plans for post-graduation, Wootten, a psychology and biology double major with an interest in healthcare, decided that staying at PC was her first choice.
“I already knew the area and the community so well, I could not imagine leaving,” she said. “Several of my undergraduate professors were familiar with the faculty at the Physician Assistant (PA) Program. They wrote me letters of recommendation, helped me with my application and even conducted mock interviews with me.”
When Wootten received her acceptance to the 24-month, 112-semester hours PA program, she knew there was no other place she could see herself continuing her education.
“I was so excited to have the opportunity to spend two more years at the campus that has given me so much,” she said.
Wootten grew up in a small, rural community; the nearest primary care office was 30 minutes away, and the nearest hospital was almost an hour.
“The lack of accessibility to healthcare in my own experience really opened my eyes to the need for more providers, which is a big reason I chose to become a PA,” she said.
Wootten was also looking for a profession that would allow her to have an active role in patient care.
“I began to shadow PAs, and after seeing how personable they are able to be with patients, I realized this is exactly the career I want,” she said. “I want to be able to make a difference in the life of my patients and have a positive impact on those around me.”
To learn more about the Presbyterian College Physician Assistant Graduate Program, visit the program website.
