Earlier this month the Northwestern Physician Assistant program welcomed about forty kindergarteners into our classroom to learn about our profession. As to be expected, each kindergartener brought tons of energy and excitement. I was impressed to find how much these kids already knew about the PA profession. They gave examples like, “PAs are kind,” “PAs help people when they are sick,” and “PAs like working with others.” They were exactly right; these qualities exemplify what a PA is, and we were happy to share our skills with them. We broke into stations and focused on sharing with the kids the tools we use to do our job. The kids were able to practice taking blood pressures, using a stethoscope, and looking in ears. A major hit with the kids was the opportunity to look at our bone models and practice splinting broken limbs. Ideally, after having this exposure, the kids will be more comfortable at future medical appointments because they understand what tools are being used. I thoroughly enjoyed our time with the kids, and was glad to see they had a blast.

It was important for us to expose the kindergarteners to our program, and show them how school can be challenging and exciting at the same time. You never know, maybe there were some future PA students in the group. Another goal of this visit was to continue in community outreach, forming connections between the college and groups around town. This is great practice for me and my classmates, as we see community involvement being intertwined with our career at a PA. As a current student, I can see the support our program has from the community, and I am thankful to be surrounded by so many amazing people.

-Taylar Boerema, PA-S '26, Class President

About the Author
Taylar is a member of the Northwestern College Physician Assistant class of 2026. She is currently studying to earn her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies and serves as Class President for her cohort. 

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For two years, I spent my spring break serving on a Spring Service Project working with a ministry called Hope for Opelousas. This ministry works with students hailing from St. Landry’s Parish, the poorest school district in the state.

My first year, I walked into Opelousas Junior High, wide-eyed and ready to change the world. What I didn’t realize was how complicated building relationships would be. I spent the week working with students, tutoring HFO kids, and connecting with members of the community. But when I left, I still felt unsure. I didn’t know whether I’d made my impact or helped anyone. In fact, it had felt as though the people of Louisiana had changed me more than I had changed them.

Fast forward to the spring of my junior year. After not feeling as though I had done enough, I decided to sign up to return to Opelousas a second year. This year, I knew I’d make a difference. After joining together with my team of 19 other individuals, I was awestruck by the wonderful people I’d be embarking on this journey with. But when we got down to Opelousas a second time, I realized I wasn’t there to change the world. I was there just to show I care and love people deeply.

 I spent three days serving in Opelousas Junior High once again, walking alongside a new teacher who had just finished her training and walked into a messy classroom of students mid-year. She was worn down from trying to take control of a group of students she’d never worked with before. However, the characteristic I kept seeing shine through this teacher was her love and deep desire to help these students.

The days I wasn’t serving in the school, I helped scrape and prime a house to be painted. We also cleaned out a storage area for a local organization that offered extracurricular activities for students in the area. While standing around and cleaning all day may not sound like a treat, spending time with the wonderful people of Opelousas and Northwestern certainly was, and seeing the excitement of everyone as the house was closer to completion definitely made the days worth it.

Perhaps the best part of the whole experience was serving a student named Landon. Landon was a 7 ^th grader who attended one of my classes at Opelousas Junior High. After school, I had the opportunity to work alongside him and tutor him through HFO. Watching this student work to the best of his abilities to make his mother proud was phenomenal.

It was here that I learned that I wasn’t there to change peoples’ lives. Instead, I was there to love, and that was enough. After all, just like Hope for Opelousas’ mission statement says, “Love changes everything.”

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