Melisa Joseph '18

Alumni Spotlight

Melisa JosephUndergraduate degree: Dual degree: Biology (BS) and Psychology (BS) on Neuroscience track

Current Position Title and Affiliation: Clinical Assistant at Atkinson Family Practice

Summary of Position:
I am very fortunate to work at this integrative General Family Medicine facility caring for our local Amherst patients! I not only get incredible hands on experience as well as direct patient care, but I am mentored by some of the most talented providers and staff I have ever met! Additionally, I get to learn advanced medical skills like venipuncture, performing EKGs and spirometries, over the phone triage nursing and more! Most importantly, I get to play an active role in the care and treatment of our patients, many of which are whole generations of families!

Future Goals:
I am working towards pursuing a career in healthcare

What do you love most about this career path?
I love this career path because it is hands-on, there are endless possibilities to find the right answer, how collaborative it is and the deep connections we can make with our patients in addition to treating them medically.

How did UMass and/or Psychological and Brain Sciences help prepare you?
UMass has definitely prepared me well in the academic department with its tough and rigorous pre-med track. The PBS department however, really helped me in terms of how I approach my current patients. Unlike most other departments, PBS helped me gain social and mental tools to approach some of my most vulnerable patients in a caring and compassionate way. PBS also really promoted a strong sense of collaboration which from experience, is incredibly crucial towards giving good care. That is because good providers learn best when they learn from each other and not exclusively from textbooks. Also, PBS has introduced me to research which has a significant role in medicine in terms of developing new treatments and solving global health issues at their core.

Tips for Current Undergrads:
Medicine is not an easy journey, heck, it makes the trip to Mordor look like a walk in the park. But remember that YOU are the one making this journey: not your advisers, not your parents and not your friends. YOU do things on your own time and do NOT compare yourself to your peers. Every single person can be a good healthcare provider, it is just those who don’t give up are the ones who make it. For every door that closes, it’s just another arrow pointing you in a better direction.