Graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Health Science program are busy in their field serving with passion and making a difference in healthcare.
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PHS Health Science Alumni Stories
Health Science GraduateRyan Grisamore
"I am currently the Field Business Manager for the West Area of the US at GlaxoSmithKline Vaccines (GSK). At GSK I have had several roles in the 6 years I've been with the company starting out as a Sales Representative in the Respiratory Division. In my current role I am responsible for engaging and influencing Sales Vice Presidents and their leadership teams on how analytics can be used to leverage and support fact-based decision making in the Vaccines Business Unit. I partner with internal stakeholders such as Brand, Marketing, Contracting, Medical, Managed Care Channel, Supply Chain, State/Government Affairs and Senior Leadership to lead out new initiatives, develop business plans, and create strategy, all with an ultimate goal of driving business and protecting more patients against vaccine preventable disease.
I decided to pursue an undergrad degree in Health Science at WSU because I knew I wanted to work in the Health Care Industry, but was unsure on what career path I wanted to take. The Health Science Degree not only helped me get in to the career I have now, but it gave me the tools needed to take on the challenges of working in the complicated U.S. health care landscape."
Health Science GraduateBen Kimball, P.A.-C
"I am currently working as a PA at Graham County Hospital, in Hill City, KS. We are a critical access hospital in northwest Kansas. I work clinic, ER, hospital and nursing home. This was quite a challenging position with the COVID-19 pandemic. I feel both my undergraduate degree and the WSU PA program prepared me for this role. A Bachelor of Science in Health Science prepared me with a broad understanding of the healthcare system and my specific role. Billing, insurance and management classes have given me a solid understanding of the hospital functions. The undergraduate science classes prepared me for PA school and provided foundational knowledge that I use daily."
Health Science GraduateAubrey Peterson, P.A.-C
"I am an emergency medicine Physician Assistant in Hutchinson, KS. I evaluate, diagnose, and treat patients with an array of urgent and emergent medical problems. Before I started PA school at WSU, I worked as a Health Educator for the Reno County Health Department developing programs to promote health and wellness in the community. The classes that helped me most during my undergraduate studies in Health Science were pharmacology and human anatomy and physiology, because they helped prepare me for my graduate studies. During my education at Wichita State University I learned that life is a balancing act. Juggling studies, work, marriage, family, and more can seem overwhelming at times. But, if you do your best and ask for help when you need it, it is worth it! Keep working hard and someday it will pay off."
Health Science GraduateDanielle Gauna, MPH
"My current role is as a management analyst for the Sedgwick County Health Department. I manage and update data surrounding COVID-19. Also, I created and published a StoryMap that explains the COVID-19 data to the public. During my time at Wichita State University I was active in community service while working toward a degree in Health Sciences. Ultimately I discovered my passion for population health which inspired me to pursue higher education and obtain the role I have now."
Health Science GraduateSherry Barlow
"I am currently working for a family practice here in Wichita Ks., as a Registered Health Information Technician, I manage the daily processes of patient health care information. The most interesting classes I took during the degree program were Epidemiology and Health Care Organization. I enjoyed learning about the disparities in access to quality healthcare among different cultures throughout the world. In my profession organizing and communicating data is extremely helpful to improve quality of care outcomes. There will always be challenges in any career you choose, however, it is important to remember why you decided to major in Health Science and how your contributions will help improve the many functions in the healthcare industry."
Health Science GraduateJathan Nguyen
“While taking Epidemiology, one of the most rewarding classes you’ll get to take in the Health Science curriculum, we spoke a lot about pandemics, their effect on society and human health throughout past pandemics and how we learned from them as a globe. Ironically, a short two months after graduating from Wichita State, our world began to live in a pandemic. COVID-19 brought challenges for us all. As a recent health science graduate I was able to get hands-on experience as a COVID-19 tester with the Sedgwick County Health Department. As the pandemic began to “turn the curve,” I was able to accept employment with a local insurance network. I joined ProviDRs Care, known as WPPA and owned by the Medical Society of Sedgwick County, as a Provider Relations Specialist. My current role has been highly rewarding as I work directly with most provider offices throughout Kansas, regardless of their practicing specialties. Being able to learn how complex health insurance is has always been my passion as I chose to do health care without the clinical aspect. My future plans are to stay in the health insurance field and begin my master’s degree in either Health Administration or Business Administration. I’ll always be a proud Shocker graduate. Go Shockers!”
Health Science GraduateSara Kitchell
"I truly enjoyed my time at Wichita State, where I gained so much knowledge, and made lifelong friends. My absolute favorite class was Role of Culture in Healthcare with Dr. Amy Drassen Ham. We read “The Spirit Catches You and You Fall Down”, where I learned how many other cultures view and practice healthcare, which is very intriguing. Another course that has been invaluable to me is Leadership in Self and Society through the Kansas Leadership Center (KLC).
After graduating in 2017, I accepted a Clinic Manager position with KU School of Medicine. Between the tools provided by the KLC course and the differing perspectives of healthcare in various cultures, my education from WSU has set me up for success in my role."
Health Science GraduateChris Thiel
"I am a 2019 graduate of the PHS program with a B.S. in Health Science. I am now a second-year physician assistant student at Wichita State. What I loved most about the health science program was the support from faculty. They constantly went above and beyond to create learning opportunities and help students succeed. In addition, the health science program put me in a position to complete all the prerequisites for the PA program with ease, and the coursework itself has helped me better understand the healthcare system as I pursue a career as a medical provider. I have no doubt that because of my experience in the health science program, I will be better prepared to care for patients."
Health Science GraduateLaura Phillips
I am a physician assistant student at University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City. I just started my clinical rotations and will graduate in October of 2022. Before I started PA school at OUHSC I spent 2 years working as an ophthalmic assistant and scribe at a general ophthalmology practice in St. Joseph, Missouri. I enjoyed that the health science program focused on both clinical and non-clinical aspects of the health care system. I loved that I got to have a balance of science courses like pathophysiology with courses like epidemiology and health finance. The curriculum really helped me understand how there are so many parts of life that play into a person's health and that has really helped me consider different strategies when interacting with patients on rotations. The faculty are all so supportive of students and their courses prepared me to think about all aspects of health which will help me be a better provider.
ONCE A SHOCKER ALWAYS A SHOCKER