She believed she could,
so she did
BY CHERELLE LEMONS
Who am I?
 Ms. Lemons’ sister
 California State University, Fullerton
 Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences
 Minor in Chemistry
 6 years
 Career goal: Physician Assistant
 Current job: Administrative Specialist II at Kaiser
Permanente
Pride and Joy
Compton
Shaggy
How to Succeed
 Pick a major
 Picked my favorite subject
 Seek mentorship
 Go above and beyond
 Volunteer work
 Get good grades
 Establish great study habits
 Choose your peers wisely
Career Paths
Nursing
Medicine
Nurse
Practitioner
Physician
Assistant
Nurse
Physician
Nursing
 Shadowed nurse at Children’s Hospital of Los
Angeles
 Community college: ADN

RN---Not desired by employers
 University: Bachelors degree
 RN-BSN---desired by employers
 TEAS exam
 Masters/Doctorate: Nurse Practitioner
Physician
 Any degree from a university
 Coursework:
 Biology, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physics
 Medical College Admission Test (MCAT)
 Residency (3-7 years)
 Shadowed doctors
 Private practice, Surgeons: plastic, breast cancer, colorectal
 Set up a meetings with surgeons and Chief of Surgery
 Summer research program
 Presented research in Maryland and St. Louis
Physician Assistant
 Any degree from a university
 Coursework:

Same as physician but require Human Anatomy and Human
Physiology
 Clinical Care Extender
 Requires more clinical experience (~1000 hours)
 GRE (some programs)
 Growing field

Majority of PAs will retire within the next few years
 Currently shadowing PAs

Western University
Setbacks: The struggle is REAL
 HATERS #byefelicia
 Grades
 Did not pass my first college Chemistry class
 DO NOT do this!
 Test anxiety
 Did not pass my first college Biology class final exam
 People not believing in you
 You not believing in yourself
How to stand out
 NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
 Create a professional email account
 Utilize social networks
 Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter
 Screen your profiles (NO HOOCHIE PHOTOS, no photos
indicating you are under the influence, no alcohol or drugs)
 Talk to professors (THEY KNOW PEOPLE)
 Set up meetings with admissions department
 Come prepared: bring resume, contact card
 Follow-up
 Send thank you note, contact card and CHOCOLATE!
How to stand out
 Be persistent/patient
 First meeting with WesternU: November 2013- April 2014
 Sometimes stalking is okay LOL
 Expect 2 weeks for a reply
 If nothing, then call as a follow-up and remind them of who
you are and why you are calling
 GET GOOD GRADES!!!!!!!!!!!!
 This is EVERYTHING
 How schools admit students
Contact Information
If you have any questions, concerns or need help, feel
free to contact me!
Cherelle Lemons
cherellemons@yahoo.com
Case 1: Hydrocephalus
Hydrocephalus
 Possible causes?
 Genetic abnormality
 Can be caused by injury or disease
 Treatment
 Insert shunt system where a tube is inserted, which directs the
CSF from the CNS to another area of the body to be drained
and absorbed. This system also regulates the CSF flow rate
 Prognosis
 If detected early enough and treated, may be able to live a
normal life
Case 2: Berlin heart EXCOR Pediatric Ventricular
Device (PAD)
Berlin heart EXCOR Pediatric Ventricular Device
(PAD)
 Why use a Berlin?
 The pediatric patients who have this are on the heart
transplant list.
 Needed to sustain life (temporarily)
 Prognosis
 Studies show that 43 of 48 patients survived from either a
cardiac transplant or being slowly taken off of the PAD
 Overtime the ventricles become stronger over time and does
not need the assistance of the machine