Katie C.

About Katie C.

My decision to become a PA was fueled by my commitment to increasing healthcare accessibility and quality for underserved communities, particularly in psychiatry and primary care. My experience working with under-resourced populations exposed me to significant gaps in healthcare delivery, such as insurance barriers and patients feeling dismissed by providers. These experiences, combined with observing how PAs provide culturally competent and patient-centered care, affirmed my desire to become a PA. As a PA, I will improve healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations through compassionate care, advocacy, and clinical research. I intend to work in both psychiatry and primary care to holistically address the physical and mental health needs often overlooked in under-resourced communities. Recognizing the stigma surrounding mental health, I aim to contribute to a program in a free clinic that increases mental health access and provides educational resources to destigmatize mental healthcare. Additionally, inspired by my experience as a research associate, I plan to conduct clinical research evaluating interventions and healthcare delivery models tailored specifically to improving care for underrepresented and stigmatized groups. Through these combined efforts in direct patient care and clinical research, I aim to foster systemic improvements and bridge critical gaps in healthcare equity as a future PA.In my free time, I enjoy indoor cycling and going on walks and hikes. I also have a passion for playing in music groups, and have played in concert bands, marching band, and Japanese-American taiko groups.

Experience

1. Principal Investigator for Malnutrition in the Obese Patient Clinical Research Study

   A.T. Still University

   Jan 2025 — Present

   I am conducting a clinical research study in collaboration with PA program faculty and a classmate to evaluate physician associates’ knowledge of evidence-based assessment tools, physical examination findings, and diagnostic measures used to identify malnutrition in obese patients. Data was presented at the Poster Session at the 2026 ASAPA Spring CME Conference. The project\'s ultimate goal is to use our findings to guide targeted educational initiatives to enhance PA proficiency in malnutrition recognition and treatment protocols.If you are a currently practicing PA, we would greatly appreciate your participation! Please fill out the anonymous research survey here: https://tinyurl.com/mvezxyrx

Education

• University of California, Davis

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Major: Pharmaceutical Chemistry. Minor: Psychology

  2018 — 2022

• A.T. Still University

  Master's Degree, Physician Assistant Studies

• Evergreen Valley High School

  High School Diploma

  2014 — 2018