By: Angel Gonzalez
Madison Schuster’s passion for medicine was sparked at a young age following a frightening experience when her appendix ruptured and she spent a week in the hospital recovering after emergency surgery. That moment ignited a deep desire to support others during some of the most vulnerable and challenging times in their lives.
While she knew early on that she wanted to pursue a career in health care, it wasn’t until high school that she discovered the physician assistant (PA) profession.
“I immediately knew it was the perfect path for me,” Schuster recalled. “PAs have the ability to offer the ideal blend of medical expertise and patient-centered care, with the flexibility to serve communities most in need.”
Her conviction only strengthened as she worked alongside many “intelligent, compassionate PAs” during her time as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) and perioperative technician. “Now, years later, my nine-year-old dream has become a reality, and I’m incredibly grateful to step into my role as a PA and an integral member of my future patients’ care team.”
Schuster, who will graduate in August from the ҹɫÊÓƵ School of Medicine’s nationally ranked , also serves as the vice president of her class of 2025. A local Nevadan whose family roots run deep in the state, Schuster is committed to giving back to the community that helped raise her.
“In each clinical role I held prior to PA school, I found myself wishing I could do more for my patients. Now, I’m proud to say I’ve reached that goal,” she said.
PA class of 2025 representatives - Richul Kabir, Andrew Zumaran, Adam Serfoss, Thi Tran, William Lara, Madison Schuster and Lauren Bell-Nickerson - attended a community health fair at Stead Elementary School to help educate the local community about the PA profession.After graduation, she’ll be serving as an emergency department PA in one of Nevada’s rural critical access hospitals, delivering high-quality, accessible care to patients who often face significant barriers to medical attention.
“Our program was built with the vision of educating Nevadans to stay in Nevada and I’m honored to be bringing that mission to life," she added.
For those considering the PA path, Schuster offers heartfelt advice: “What helped me navigate these challenges the most was my support system, which included my classmates, who quickly became my second family. I also continued to revisit my ‘why’ anytime I felt overwhelmed.” She added it’s important to make time for hobbies and the things you love outside of school.
One defining moment in her clinical year came during her rural clerkship in Ely, Nevada, when she responded to a prison mass casualty incident. “It was a true ‘all hands-on deck’ situation that felt like something only seen in movies, emphasizing the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration during such large-scale events.”
During her rural clerkship, Schuster participated in a REACH fixed-wing aircraft transfer of an acutely ill patient from Ely, NV, to Las Vegas, NV.Looking ahead, Schuster is energized by the challenge and unpredictability of emergency medicine.
“I’m excited to begin my career as an emergency department physician assistant in one of Nevada’s rural critical access hospitals,” she said. “I’ve always had a passion for acute patient management and stabilization, and delivering care in high-pressure, resource-limited environments. No day is ever the same, and that constant challenge is what fuels my drive to grow as a PA.”
She added that she’s eager to apply the hands-on skills she gained at UNR Med to serve one of Nevada’s medically underserved communities.
Pursuing a career as a PA demands resilience, dedication and continuous growth. Schuster encourages future PAs to embrace what makes them different and let it shape how they care for others. “This journey moves quickly, so approach it with intention, take pride in how far you’ve come, and never stop believing in yourself,” she said.
