CalOptima Scholarship Awarded to Four Outstanding PA Students Congratulations Binh Nguyen, Gabrielle Guevara, Jisoo Kim and Sarah Nunes

Binh Hoa Nguyen, Class of 2025

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to pursue a career as a PA?

I was born in Vietnam and immigrated to the US at the age of 11. Growing up with chronic asthma and frequent hospitalizations, I developed a deep interest in medicine. After earning my degree from UCI, I began working at an occupational and orthopedic clinic where I met my mentor, PA Serrato. Through his guidance, I learned the profound impact a physician assistant can have as an advocate for under served communities. Many of our patients were low-income, new immigrant workers from South America and Vietnam. They often struggled to navigate the healthcare system and expressed their health concerns. While I was able to assist these patients as an MA, I realized that becoming a PA would allow me to provide even more meaningful support for them.

What does earning this scholarship mean to you, and how will it help you on your journey?

 This scholarship is an incredible affirmation of my mission to advocate for underserved communities. Thanks to this support, I am able to transit between OC and LA rotation sites in my clinical year without trouble. My psychiatry rotation in LA has been a great learning experience as it provided me with a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between law, medicine and community resources. This experience has underscored for me how I need to be more sensitive to psychiatric concerns in my patients, especially given that immigrant populations often neglect mental health problems until they become more severe.

How do you hope to make an impact on the underrepresented communities in Orange County as a future PA?

I hope to make an impact on underrepresented communities by building connections with my patients and advocating for their physical and mental health. To accomplish this as a PA, it’s essential for me to understand the obstacles my patients might face in getting access to the care they need. I aim to gather information on available community resources so that I can serve as a navigator, guiding my patients to the next step in their journey toward better health.

This scholarship includes giving back to Chapman’s PA program as a future preceptor and educator—what excites you about being able to serve as a mentor one day?

I believe that one of Chapman’s greatest strengths is its mentorship program. I am eager to both learn from and support future generations of PA students as it can be incredibly rewarding to watch them grow and succeed.

What’s a fun fact about you that people might not expect?

 I studied Latin for 2 years in high school and also Russian for 2 years at UCI. I came to appreciate Ancient Roman and Russian cultures and cuisines after I studied these languages.

If you could say one thing to your younger self or others on the Pre-PA path, what would you say?

If I could speak to my younger self, I would tell them “Remember why you chose this path.” The saying, “If you have a why, almost any how is possible” will serve as a powerful reminder throughout your journey. There will definitely be moments when you feel depressed and doubt your ability to become a PA, but remember to lift your head up and look at your North Star. Your North Star is the reason why you are here, the reason why you keep going, the reason why you keep trying despite all odds!

Gabrielle Guevara, Class of 2025

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to pursue a career as a PA?

Hi, I’m Gaby Guevara, and I’m from San Jose, CA. I studied Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior at UC Davis, knowing I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare but unsure of the right path for me. It wasn’t until I worked as a medical assistant in urgent care that I met a PA for the first time—and that’s when everything clicked! I was inspired by their expertise, autonomy, and essential role within the healthcare team, and couldn’t wait to be just like them! I truly value how the foundation of the profession is rooted in bridging gaps in healthcare, so it feels incredibly rewarding to know how my work will help the community.

What does earning this scholarship mean to you, and how will it help you on your journey?

Earning this scholarship is incredibly meaningful to me, as it alleviates the financial burden of graduate school and allows me to focus more fully on my education and training. This support not only brings me one step closer to achieving my career goals but also reinforces my commitment to serving communities in need.

How do you hope to make an impact on the underrepresented communities in Orange County as a PA?

As a future PA, I hope to make a meaningful impact on underrepresented communities in Orange County by being a compassionate and approachable presence in healthcare. Representation matters, and it can make a huge difference for patients to see providers who look like them, speak their language, and understand their cultural backgrounds. By breaking down these barriers, I hope to foster trust and encourage individuals to seek the care they need without fear or hesitation. Many patients feel overwhelmed or intimidated by the healthcare system, and PAs play a crucial role in increasing accessibility by providing more patient contact time and delivering high- quality, equitable care. My goal is to bridge these gaps and advocate for a healthcare system that truly serves all communities.

This scholarship includes giving back to Chapman’s PA program as a future preceptor and educator—what excites you about being able to serve as a mentor one day?

The preceptorship aspect of this scholarship excites me because I have always found myself naturally taking on a teaching role. Becoming a preceptor in the future is an opportunity I really look forward to, as it will allow me to help shape the next cohort of PAs and instill in them a passion for this profession. I understand the value of having a preceptor who balances guidance with independence, and I hope to create that same learning environment for future students. This will ensure they feel prepared not only for the PANCE but also for the real challenges of patient care. I also believe that becoming a preceptor will enhance the level of care I provide to my patients, as students bring fresh perspectives and new approaches to treatment. This will encourage me to stay current with medical advancements and always refine my own practice.

What’s a fun fact about you that people might not expect?

One fun fact about me is that I played travel softball for 13 years as a pitcher and second baseman. I even got to play against teams across the world such as China, Colombia, and Japan!

If you could say one thing to your younger self or others on the Pre-PA path, what would you say?

I would tell my pre-PA self to believe in my abilities and trust that I deserve to be here. With how competitive and difficult PA school is, it can be easy to fall victim to imposter syndrome and feel that you don’t belong in a room full of so many smart people. I would remind myself—and others on this journey—that hard work and dedication got us here for a reason. Keep pushing forward, lean on your classmates for support, and never doubt that you belong!

Jisoo Kim, Class of 2026

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to pursue a career as a PA?

I was born in Korea, and my family moved to the U.S. when I was a child. The transition was challenging, especially as I had to navigate a new language while also being diagnosed with epilepsy, which introduced me to the healthcare system. I often translated medical information for my family, which sparked my interest in healthcare and made me want to be more involved. My experiences in patient care, from volunteering in hospitals during the pandemic to working as a medical assistant, primarily in internal medicine, have reinforced my desire to become a PA. I admire the profession’s flexibility, collaboration, and patient-centered approach.

Shadowing a PA showed me firsthand how they bridge gaps in healthcare, making it more accessible and holistic. That’s exactly the kind of impact I want to have, and becoming a PA is the best path I see to achieving that deep level of patient care.

What does earning this scholarship mean to you, and how will it help you on your journey?

This scholarship means so much to me. It’s an investment in my ability to serve my community. Growing up in an immigrant family, I understand the barriers that underrepresented communities face in healthcare. This support will allow me to focus on my education without financial strain, so I can dedicate myself fully to becoming a PA. In the future, I hope to give back by mentoring other aspiring PAs and advocating for equitable healthcare access.

How do you hope to make an impact on the underrepresented communities in Orange County as a PA?

 Having worked with immigrant communities through tutoring and hospital volunteering, I’ve seen how cultural and financial barriers limit healthcare access. As a future PA, I want to bridge these gaps by providing culturally competent care and ensuring patients feel heard and supported. Whether that means helping families find affordable treatment options or simply taking the time to educate patients about their health, I want to be a provider who is accessible to the underrepresented communities and prioritizes both medical and well being.

This scholarship includes giving back to Chapman’s PA program as a future preceptor and educator—what excites you about being able to serve as a mentor one day?

 I really appreciate the value of mentorship. It’s how I first learned about the PA profession and its vital role in delivering comprehensive patient care. By shadowing and working alongside PAs, I saw firsthand how they collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide holistic treatment. The opportunity to do the same for future PA students excites me because I want to help others navigate the challenges of PA school and clinical practice. Knowing that I can contribute to the next generation of compassionate PAs is truly fulfilling.

What’s a fun fact about you that people might not expect?

I’m a total café enthusiast! I love café hopping whether it’s finding the coziest study spots, trying new drinks (matcha lattes are my current obsession!), or just for the vibes. One time, on a random Tuesday night, I drove two hours just to study at a café and then drove back home the same night… only to make it to my 8 AM class the next morning. Honestly, it was the best study session ever—totally worth the sleep deprivation!

If you could say one thing to your younger self or others on the Pre-PA path, what would you say?

Stop comparing yourself to others—it only holds you back. I know it’s hard, especially when everyone around you seems to be moving at their own pace, but once you’re in PA school, you’ll realize there’s no competition.

Everyone is working together, supporting each other, and lifting each other up. Comparing yourself to others only adds unnecessary stress because everyone’s journey is different. Focus on your own growth, trust your pace, and know that what matters most is becoming the best provider you can be—not how fast you get there.

Sarah Nunes, Class of 2026  

Can you tell us a little about yourself and what led you to pursue a career as a PA?

I grew up in Northern California and moved to Orange County in 2018 to attend Chapman University. Since I was little, I’ve always been interested in healthcare—I even had a pink stethoscope I used to play with! I didn’t have direct exposure to the healthcare field growing up and only knew about nursing or being a doctor. While at Chapman, I was pre-med, but over time, I realized it wasn’t the right path for my long-term goals. When I started exploring other options, I learned about the PA profession, which aligned perfectly with my professional and personal aspirations.

What does earning this scholarship mean to you, and how will it help you on your journey?

This scholarship means everything to me! I had been living in Orange County on a very low hourly wage completing my patient care hours and the idea of taking such a huge financial burden on from school was very daunting for me. I was exploring out-of- state options and every scholarship I could find when I learned about this new Cal Optima Scholarship at Chapman. This scholarship allows me to continue my education locally while providing me an opportunity to give back to a community that means so much to me! Most importantly it will allow me to pursue my career goals of becoming a physician assistant while also helping alleviate financial strains.

How do you hope to make an impact on the underrepresented communities in Orange County as a PA?

I hope to make an impact by increasing access to quality health care in areas that are currently underrepresented. I believe everyone has a right to see a provider quickly and to be really listened to during that time. Hopefully I can be a helpful addition to a team to decrease wait times and increase positive patient outcomes in these communities. I am excited to give back to Orange County after it has given me so many blessings!

This scholarship includes giving back to Chapman’s PA program as a future preceptor and educator—what excites you about being able to serve as a mentor one day?

 I absolutely love teaching other people to make hard material more manageable! I worked as a tutor during undergrad and am excited to continue to help students learn during my next chapter.

What’s a fun fact about you that people might not expect?

A fun fact about me is that I love animals and being outside. I hope to one day have lots of animals and a huge garden!

If you could say one thing to your younger self or others on the Pre-PA path, what would you say?

I would say to take 1 step at a time and to give yourself grace. I would also tell others to look 10 years in the future at what you want your life to look like and work backwards. Think about how your future goals might affect your current actions.