Expected graduation: August 2021
Program/major: Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies
Working in health care is all in the family for Bre’Andria Thompson, a student in the second year of the Physician Assistant (PA) program at the School of Medicine. Born and raised in Alabama, Thompson is the oldest of eight children and the oldest of triplet girls—all three of whom are pursuing careers in different branches of medicine.
Thompson was inspired to become a physician assistant during her master's program at Hampton University. She attended a career event given by a PA with a passion for her work in an obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) practice. Later while working as a medical scribe, she learned more about the profession from her PA mentor.
“Everything about being a PA suited me. After doing my research, I knew that Case Western Reserve University was the place where I belonged,” she said. “Along with the excellent PA curriculum, the school’s commitment to helping communities matched my desire to become a healthcare advocate.”
Thompson also liked the university’s emphasis on interprofessional education, bringing nursing, social work, dental and medical students together to treat patients.
During her time at the university, Thompson has worked at the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, recruiting volunteers to package food deliveries. She is also outreach co-chair at CWRU’s Student-Run Health Clinic and helped lead the Knock Your Socks Off campaign, going to shelters to wash and care for men’s feet. After COVID-19 began, she launched a mask-making initiative and led a toiletry drive for men living in shelters.
Now in clinical rotations, Thompson is practicing the skills gained from her first year as a PA student while demonstrating cultural humility and building relationships with her patients. After recently completing her pediatrics rotation, she enjoys working with children and is leaning toward joining a pediatric, family medicine or OB/GYN practice after graduation.