Ariana Golchin

Name: Ariana Golchin

Medical title/credentials: Physician Assistant, PA-C

IG: @sparkles_and_scalpels_

School/Program: The University of Utah School of Medicine Physician Assistant Program

Favorite Hobby: I LOVE CrossFit and programming workouts! I find so much joy in pushing myself both mentally and physically during my daily workouts. I recently built a home “CrossFit style” gym in my home and I have had a lot of fun with it.

Why did you choose this profession? While there were so many reasons to pursue the PA profession, one of the main reasons was our ability to change specialties and be able to adapt to the current health care needs of our community. I have many interests and passions within medicine and I am very thankful that I have the opportunity to be able to further explore each of them. As a whole, I chose medicine because of the significant impact we as providers can have on an individual. Educating and serving as an advocate on behalf of those who are repeatedly unheard, misunderstood, and looking for someone to believe in them is an important reason as to WHY I chose this profession.

Biggest Inspiration: Watching the determination in someone’s eyes appear after the have felt defeated. It is so inspiring to watch an individual evolve and truly be able to recognize their worth and what they are capable of.

Current Passion Project: If you follow my social media page you will see that I am VERY passionate about many things. Two of the biggest being: mental health and the other, educating and motivating the future generation of medicine.  I am continuously looking for and creating ways to destigmatize the negative association that often accompanies mental health. I use my platform to educate those on not only the importance of prioritizing one’s mental health, but also the importance of seeking out treatment if needed. I also use my platform to mentor and host free educational events for Pre-PA students, in addition to providing many free resources. I have a huge passion for teaching, and spend much time actively being involved with students whether that be mentoring, precepting, or guest lecturing at various PA programs.

Fun Fact: I LOVE all things Halloween and am arguably one of the biggest Halloween fans out there. Prove me wrong ;).

What sort of challenges have you faced in your life? How have you overcome them? I think everyone comes from a unique background and each person has a story to tell. It is up to us to decide what we do with those challenges and how we will impact the world with them.  I have faced a lot of difficult life circumstances and dealt with many painful situations throughout my life. However, it is important to NOT allow those experiences to define you or limit your future. They are there to help remind you of where you have been and serve as motivation and fuel for where you are going. Use those experiences to connect, empathize, and understand others.

Do you have any advice for others interested in entering your field? ABSOLUTELY. Know that while this is an extremely competitive field, YOU CAN DO THIS. We have all been in the position of questioning if we were cut out to be here. You will go through phases throughout your PA journey that will test you on every single level. Take it day by day and know that it is enough. Do not look at the entire picture all at once, or you will be overwhelmed. You are not alone. Seek out a mentor who has done this and ask for guidance and support. There are so many of us out here willing and ready to help because we want to strengthen this profession, it is important to us.  You can follow my page Sparkles_and_Scalpels_ for daily motivation and encouragement! I am always discussing these types of topics and situations with full transparency because you need to know that you are not alone and that there is support out there.

Any other piece of advice, motivational quote, or message you would like to share? You are capable and you are worthy. You are more than a statistic or an exam score. Do not get caught up in social media comparison. Focus on yourself and the journey. Even on your worst days, or days, you feel the least capable- there is always a lesson to be learned. Do not do things in regards to your application or career to simply “stand out or look good,” every move should be made with clear intent and driven by your passion. Stay authentic and genuine to yourself and let your “WHY” guide your decisions.