College of Medicine

Hometown: Tallahassee

Undergraduate College: Florida State University

Major: Biology

Minor: Chemistry

What and/or who inspired you to go to PA school, and how so?

I have always had a fascination for biology, physiology and the human body, so going into medicine made sense to me, as I would be able to intertwine these interests while being able to help others. I first learned about the PA profession through a member of my church back when I was a senior in high school, and after further research and shadowing experiences, I ended up falling in love with the profession.

What did you learn about yourself during your time in PA school that surprised you?

Being able to persevere throughout the long hours of studying a vast amount of material, while trying to get enough sleep and time to eat.

What course and/or professor had the greatest impact on your PA education?

I greatly enjoyed my pharmacology courses with Dr. Tomko, as these taught me not only about the therapeutic indication of medications but also how to think critically. We went into depth about the mechanism, physiology and toxicology of drugs and how to consider these components when taking in the clinical picture of the patient.

In what setting and specialty are you planning to launch your PA career?

I am pretty open-minded, but I am currently interested in acute care such as urgent care, or primary care.

Given the rigors and stressors of PA education, what diversion did you lean on to get you through?

Being able to get outside to go for a walk, or just to sit outside and play on my phone or call a friend was always refreshing! And if any time permitted, painting pictures. 

Benjamin Smith, associate dean of the College of Medicine and director of the School of Physician Assistant Practice, said, “ Having known Michaela since her undergraduate years, it has been a pleasure to watch her become a PA. The constant positivity that Michaela provides makes others feel better by simply being with her.”