$6 Pre-PA Virtual Shadowing Series

Testimonials

“Able to open up my ability to shadow PA's. It has been challenging post-Covid and highly competitive to get shaddowing in diverse specialties. Case studies with Eric were extremely informative. Eric is super friendly and always open to helping pre-PA students! I found him really easy to talk to and he is clearly very passionate about not only his job but also helping other students who are working towards becoming a PA. As someone who recently gained interest into the PA field, the platform that Eric has provided broadened my perspective about PAs and definitely deepening my interest into this field. I also like how there's a chance to interact almost live with the PAs while they're talking (almost imitating a real life shadowing experience).Eric was so kind by letting me shadow for him. He really showed me how the emergency department works and how his role is so crucial in helping each patient out with different needs. My experience so far shadowing Eric has been so amazing as I have been learning so much the past two weeks that I never would've been able to see without this experience. A specific memory I have as of now would be Eric putting a cast on a young kid for a right ulnar break and he was so kind and helpful with the whole process. He made sure the eight year old boy was going to be okay and was being as gentle as possible. Eric has motivated me further into the Physician Assistant Profession. Physician Assistants have lateral mobility and can work in a variety of fields. As a student participating in the Virtual Shadowing series it gives the opportunity to see a day in the life of all these professions instead of just the one that I work in. Eric's energy and positive outlook on life has been the driving force behind my motivation to keep reaching for my goals!! The way he reviews is the perfect example of how an educator should lead a class. Though I have yet to meet him in person, his excitement and kindness during the virtual shadowing sessions are sufficient enough to inspire the passion that I strive for in everything that I do, most especially in my career goals. The PAs that Eric has chosen for the virtual shadowing opportunity were amazing and I learned so much from them. Even though it is not in person, it still gave me the opportunity to learn very insightful information.Eric has greatly influenced my professional goals by showing me what it truly takes to be a PA and how rewarding this career path can be. I admire how he speaks about his work with such pride and enthusiasm—he is always smiling, approachable, and eager to teach students. His passion for patient care and mentorship reflects the kind of provider I aspire to become. Every shadowing session with Eric has highlighted the best qualities of a PA: compassion, dedication, and the drive to go above and beyond for every patient.I have only attended one virtual session with Eric, but from what I have gathered so far, he is very lively, upbeat, and encouraging for all us pre-PA students. Eric has given the opportunity to virtually shadow PAs, which has been amazing since finding shadowing opportunities has been difficult. Eric is always willing to answer questions, especially when participants like myself were shadowing him. He is amazing at educating around the anatomy of different orthopedic patients, making it easy to follow along. Even when I wasn't sure about guessing an answer for a diagnosis, Eric encouraged us to still attempt since an attempt is a learning opportunity. I feel a lot more comfortable guessing and asking questions during sessions as a result! My first shadowing experiences arose through the opportunities Eric presented through his Virtual Shadowing Program. The PA-C's he connected me with created such a welcoming and motivating space. They made each case study very engaging and easy to follow along, especially as someone who was new to medical terminology and the profession as a whole.Eric has made shadowing and PA professionals more accessible to students who don't have family connections or certain opportunities. Eric is a wonderful mentor, providing various types of support and mentorship to students in all areas of life! He is very lively, positive, and encouraging to those around him. Attending a virtual shadowing truly deepened my love for the PA profession, as I saw more of how practicing PAs live their daily lives in influencing patients. Virtual shadowing has helped me be exposed to so many specialities especially very niche ones that I wouldn't have even thought of, but they are needed. It is also nice to not have to take any PTO as they are offered after my work hours and on weekends. Even though it is not one on one I still learn a ton and seeing so many of the other students ask questions too is amazing or seeing what knowledge they have. Shadowing Eric was such a great experience. He made the session engaging and easy to follow, and I always felt comfortable asking questions. I really admired how he took the time to explain not just what to do, but why it mattered for the patient. PA Eric reinforced my goals of pursuing a clinical role where I can advocate for patients and collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team. His mentorship encouraged me to pursue excellence, stay curious, and remember the privilege and responsibility that comes with caring for patients.The virtual shadowing events, especially Eric peds orthopedic surgery sessions, provided me with a crucial link between things I’ve seen in my anatomy classes and clinical practice. Seeing real-life cases brought clarity to ortho concepts.Having the opportunity to see a great variety of specialties has beeb very rewarding & I havent seen that opportunity anywhere else! Each PA have explained their tips and credentials for PA school and the PA profession which have been very helpful. This experience has given me the opportunity to explore different fields. I’ve also gained confidence in my process because of their words I attended my first virtual PA shadowing session yesterday thanks to Eric’s announcement on his Instagram, and I can definitely say it was incredibly informative. As a first-generation college student pursuing a career as a Physician Assistant without many personal connections in the field, I truly appreciate the opportunities Eric provides. He creates access for students like me who might not have an easy way to gain exposure to the PA profession.
Through his efforts, I was able to learn from experienced PAs, hear about their day-to-day responsibilities, and understand the realities of their work. The session was not only educational but also very transparent, something that’s so valuable for students entering this field. I’m really grateful for Eric’s dedication to helping aspiring PAs and for offering such meaningful opportunities for learning and professional growth.I have learned so much compared to when I started these sessions. It's great to be able to have access to such high-quality informationEven though it's virtual shadowing, I get to learn a lot and have opportunities to interact live via chat. I am more certain about my reasons for choosing the career for PA.Eric's mentorship cemented my interest in orthopedic surgery. His case studies provide crucial clinical and diagnostic peds ortho examples; his teaching made the material click for my future PA duties.As a pre-PA, part of my journey is navigating through the challenges of application preparation—essay writing, finding shadowing/PCE opportunities, interview prepping, and many other milestones. Eric has truly helped bridge the gap in going to PA school for me by providing resources that pre-PA students are constantly in search of. Eric has connected me to other mentors, such as Julia, who have been a tremendous support for my interviews, but also connecting me to shadowing resources so that I can continue to be a well-rounded applicant. Shadowing Eric in the virtual PA Shadowing series was an amazing experience. His orthopedic surgery and pediatric orthopedics sessions were really clear and engaging, and he made complicated topics easy to understand. I learned a lot about how PAs work in real clinical settings, how they think through cases, and how they communicate with patients.
Eric really showed me what being a PA is like and reinforced my goal to become one. He’s patient, approachable, and really takes the time to explain things clearly. One memory that sticks out is during a pediatric orthopedics session where he went through evaluating fractures and reading X-rays while explaining how to communicate with both the patient and their family. It showed me how important both technical skills and empathy are in patient care. Shadowing with him was interactive, educational, and really motivating. Overall, it was inspiring and helped me feel more confident about pursuing a PA career.Eric has impacted my professional career goals by providing the shadowing experience and also providing me links to the ones I missed! His teaching style feels more like an educational partnership rather than a straight lecture that some virtual shadowing sessions have. Engaging with the content is a lot easier to do with Eric since he is able to teach and lead in a way that feels understandable. This was a good way for me to start off my shadowing hours, and just one session taught me a lot of valuable knowledge.”

My time with Eric during my clinical rotation at Rady's was extremely valuable. During our time together I was able to get as close to practicing being a clinician as I could get. With Eric's guidance I was able to confidently see orthopedic consultations in the emergency department, taking patient histories, performing physical exams, and guiding families through our treatment plan. Having the opportunity to complete a patient encounter head to toe and take the lead on it with a safety net helped me learn so much. On our last 2 inpatient days together Eric had me take over the pager to fully immerse me in the ortho PA role. This allowed me practice communicating with other healthcare professionals along with gathering all the pertinent information to complete a consult. I was also able to consult other specialties and practicing giving a thorough yet concise patient presentation. I think one of my favorite memories was when we had a complicated patient on the floor that I needed to consult the PICU for and after I successfully presented a patient to this fellow and hung up the call Eric shouts "You crushed it!!" and gave high fives all around to myself and the pre-PA students with us. Small encouraging moments like this mean the world to me and don't go unnoticed. However my ultimate favorite moment was getting the opportunity to perform a reduction in the ED. Before this opportunity presented itself I was well prepared by Eric about techniques and tips to perform different reductions and how to properly mold a cast. And yet again after my reduction and molding of the cast high fives all around! Overall this experience during my rotation was fantastic. Eric's positivity and enthusiasm to teach makes all the difference! I can confidently say that this experience has solidified my want to pursue pediatric orthopedics.PA Eric has made a positive impact on my goals of becoming a Physician Assistant by giving me the opportunity to observe the role of an Ortho PA. His enthusiasm, extensive knowledge, and patience has helped me learn about different conditions and treatment plans designated for each individual. PA Eric takes his time to thoroughly explain how to approach complex scenarios and differential diagnoses. Along with his ability to create a supportive environment for learning, he sets a great example for patient interactions as he professionally communicates and addresses patient concerns with high regard. Shadowing PA Eric has been very beneficial and will prepare me for the next steps to become a PA.Eric was very helpful in providing what an accurate day in the life of a PA is like! Eric was very informative and always willing to explain what he was doing and why. While shadowing, Eric did an exam on a patient, but the exam turned out to be more difficult to complete than expected. This was very interesting to see because in the face of a challenge, Eric was able to obtain as much information as possible about the patient while also ensuring that the patient and their family knew what was happening and had any questions answered. This showed me how a professional PA is supposed to act and the importance of patient-provider interactions. Getting to learn from and work alongside Eric during my clinical rotation has been one of the most rewarding and formative experiences of my PA-S journey so far. Eric is an exceptional educator and clinician who not only teaches with clarity and depth but also consistently challenges me to elevate my clinical thinking and performance. He seamlessly integrates foundational learning with real-time application, helping me bridge the gap between student and future provider. I also enjoy seeing how kind, friendly, and approachable he is with his colleagues, patients, and anyone else in the hospital.

From the very start, Eric tailored his teaching to match my quick learning style and pace, while still pushing me daily to grow beyond my comfort zone. One of the most remarkable aspects of working with him is how often I find myself confidently answering (or answering in my head!) high-level questions from attendings—questions typically directed at residents or fellows—thanks to the advanced clinical insights and structured teaching Eric provides. Despite this being my first week in the specialty, I’ve already felt more prepared, engaged, and capable than I ever expected. I love that I feel both more prepared to take the PANCE as well as to work in this fieldShadowing Eric for the past 6 weeks has been an incredible journey for me so far. I have learned so much, and I am so thankful for what he has provided for me along the way. Eric is a kind, warm-hearted, and funny guy who always puts a smile on the patients' faces; all his coworkers admire him greatly. There are so many moments I can name where he has impacted me, like quizzing me along the way, teaching me in a professional manner about a reduction, and finally showing me what it is like to be an orthopedic PA in a hospital setting. So, overall, shadowing Eric was such a phenomenal experience I will never forget. I met so many of his coworkers, such as doctors, PAs, and medical students. I always think I come prepared with questions, but every time I step into the hospital, something new always pops up. Shadowing Eric has meaningfully shaped my professional goals by helping me understand the inner workings of the hospital and the pivotal role a PA plays within a diverse clinical team. Watching how he advocates for younger patients by making sure they feel safe, heard, and cared for, has reinforced my desire to pursue the PA career.

Eric's enthusiastic personality and genuine eagerness to teach stood out to me the most. I especially appreciated how intentional he was about helping his mentees build confidence in their own abilities. His approach made the learning environment feel both supportive and empowering.Eric Roman has a meaningful impact on my development as a pre-PA student. Shadowing him in pediatric orthopedics at Rady Children’s Hospital has been an incredibly valuable experience that gave me real insight into the role of a Physician Assistant in a fast-paced, high-acuity clinical setting. Eric consistently took the time to teach, explain clinical reasoning, and include me in patient care discussions. His approachability, professionalism, and dedication to education made the experience both inspiring and motivating. Working with Eric confirmed my desire to pursue the PA profession and strengthened my confidence in navigating clinical environments. A memory I will always hold onto was witnessing a closed reduction with a team that shared many laughs and teamwork before the holidays.

Eric's preceptorship is everything a PA student hopes for.. someone who is enthusiastic to teach, loves their role, is trusting, and patient. As a student I was able to practice patient encounters start to finish, pend orders, chart, practice my oral presentations when consulting other specialties, and perform a reduction in the ED! Questions were encouraged, he always took the time to explain things to me in great detail, and he communicates very well so that there is no uncertainty, and if there is, he creates such a positive teaching environment where I never felt too shy to clarify something. Eric is also a great example of the type of provider I hope to become. He takes an extra minute of his day to greet and introduce himself to everyone he meets. Even with all the things he has to juggle and tasks he needs to complete he is a true team player and always has a smile on his face. His enthusiasm to teach is absolutely amazing and its great seeing someone want to take students from all stages in their PA career. 10/10 would recommend!PA Eric is approachable and easy going, which makes me motivated to ask questions to further my understanding of complex Ortho concepts and the role of a PA. Additionally, shadowing in a hospital setting gives a realistic view of how PAs operate and contribute alongside other health disciplines.Yes, shadowing Eric is a great way to get exposure to the PA profession in a clinical setting.I would highly recommend Eric’s clinical preceptorship to other students because he’s an outstanding teacher who adapts to your learning style, challenges you to grow daily, and prepares you to think and perform at the level of a confident, competent provider—even early in your rotation. His mentorship has already had a lasting impact on both my clinical knowledge and patient care skillsI would recommend Eric's shadowing for other students for so many reasons. First and foremost, he lets you shadow him for such a long period of time, which is such a kind thing for him to do. He lets you see so many different cases that happen in the emergency department, such as doing reductions, castings, and patient check-ups. Finally, he lets you see how you need to be able to multitask while working in a hospital since it can get chaotic at any time. I would highly recommend Eric’s preceptorship and mentoring to other students. Even in the short time I had with him, he made every moment a learning opportunity and consistently went out of his way to teach something new. He is intentional about helping students truly understand the PA role, and he maximizes each shadowing experience so that we walk away more confident, informed, and inspired.I would highly recommend Eric’s clinical preceptorship and shadowing experience to other students because he is an exceptional educator and mentor. Eric actively engages students rather than having them simply observe. He explains diagnoses, procedures, and clinical decision-making in a clear and approachable way while maintaining a high standard of patient care. He creates a supportive learning environment where students feel comfortable asking questions and thinking critically. Any student interested in medicine, especially orthopedics or emergency care, would benefit greatly from learning under Eric’s guidance.

Orthopedic physical exam, distal radius/forearm reductions, cast molding, identifying surgical emergencies, practicing Kocher criteria to rule in or out septic joints, pulling post op drains, developing treatment plans for different fracture types including supracondylar fractures, phalanx fractures, distal radius fractures, proximal humerus fractures, femur fractures, and performing a thorough secondary examination in trauma cases. I have learned about Closed Reduction Percutaneous Pinning (CRPP) surgery, the process of analyzing X-ray imaging to identify fractures, how to perform secondary assessments, classification of Monteggia fractures, avascular necrosis of hip, lumbar drain extractions, and the importance of communicating with nurses and physicians to ensure quality care.I learned more orthopedic terms and the exam process for different fractures. In just my first week, I feel more confident evaluating XRays, formulating differential diagnoses, thinking about treatment options (cast vs splint vs reduction vs surgery) , and overall: just knowing how to not miss the big things. I am learning about specific fractures in the extremities and the different components of the physical exam for each. I have not been able to participate in a reduction yet, but I feel more confident in how to approach it. I have loved working in the different clinics as well to get a feel for that work-flow and how to monitor out-patient conditions. I learned so many different orthopedic skills during my time with Eric, such as the anatomy of the body, the skeletal system, different injuries in pediatrics, and how to interpret X-rays.Just a general idea of the his workflow when it comes to assessing patients.During my time with Eric, I gained exposure to pediatric orthopedic conditions and hands-on clinical skills. I learned about conditions such as kyphosis and osteochondritis dissecans (OCD), how to assess clonus, and how to interpret X-rays using angulation tools. Eric taught me how to evaluate ulnar angulation in pediatric patients and explained age-specific criteria for determining emergent cases. I also observed procedures including wound drain removal, closed reduction of an ulnar fracture, and proper immobilization with casting, as well as safe infection control practices and the use of PPE. Additionally, I learned how PAs document patient encounters and order medications through the Epic electronic health record system.”