“I believe that HPA provides one of the best gap-year programs for pre-medical students because of the unique positions that they have to offer. Being the QA coordinator allowed me to gain experiences that have helped shape my decision to pursue medicine. The connections that I was able to make at HPA were extremely valuable as they took the time to answer any questions and give guidance on how to move forward with our careers.  I would strongly recommend being a path aide for such a great company!”

“Working as OR runners has allowed us to learn about critical roles within the surgery floor and pathology lab which work synergistically to provide the best possible patient care. Specimens collected from the ORs could be anything from a lymph node to a uterus to an amputated leg. We frequently are able to observe the pathologist assistants (PAs) grossly evaluate and document these specimens. Interactions with the PAs, histology technicians, perioperative assistants, and other healthcare professionals has given us the opportunity to continue learning relevant medical knowledge, making being an OR runner a worthwhile experience.”

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time and experience as the 2021-2022 HPA Education Coordinator during my gap year! Through working with the pathologists, I learned so much about an area of medicine that I would not have otherwise had exposure to prior to medical school. I also believe this position set me apart from other medical school applicants and gave me a unique introduction to concepts and perspective on a wide variety of topics that I’ve since learned more about in my first two years of school. Last but not least, getting to know and working with the other path aides was an absolute blast!!”

”My 2021-2022 gap year spent during with HPA was a year of growth in an area of medicine I had no prior experience with. The challenges and triumphs along the way helped prepare me for my medical journey. Being given a leadership role while surrounded by physicians and other medical professionals has giving me the confidence to take leadership roles at the next level. One thing that always surprised me about working for HPA was their willingness to improve, often seeking out feedback and working alongside the Pathology Aides. Overall, I am very appreciative of my experience and definitely needed this gap year experience in preparation for medical school.”