From emergency medical services to physicians researching cures for widespread diseases, healthcare workers often go to the greatest lengths for their patients. Healthcare workers tend to share one common goal, no matter their field: to leave their patients better than they were before being treated. As an accredited research institution, the University of Miami breeds the future of the healthcare industry in its undergraduate and graduate programs. Distraction interviewed four current students interested in pursuing a career in healthcare to find out what keeps them motivated and what they’re looking forward to when they begin their work in the clinical setting.
Starting Out Strong
UM does not require students to officially declare a major until the second semester of their sophomore year, so students often find themselves deviating from their original plans before the deadline. For students on the pre-medical track, the rigor of coursework from their first semester alone can make them rethink their choice of field.
“From long nights in the library to attending three-hour chemistry labs, this track is definitely not for everyone,” said Joe Palsha, a first year biology and psychology double-major. “It requires a lot of hard work and dedication, but as long as you’re willing to put the time and effort in, it is definitely doable for anyone.” Palsha said he knew he wanted to work in medicine from a young age. His favorite TV show as a child was “The Untold Stories of the ER,” and by the time he reached the eighth grade, Palsha was determined to become a neurosurgeon and discover a cure for paralysis.
“Towards the end of eighth grade, my best friend’s dad left for work one morning and got into a terrible car crash,” said Palsha. “The crash left him paralyzed from the waist down, and after I saw how much that one event changed not only his life, but the lives of everyone around him, I knew the brain, spine and curing paralysis was what I wanted to dedicate my future to.”
Since that fateful day, in addition to his coursework, Palsha has volunteered at hospitals, interned with neurosurgeons and observed surgeries in the operating room. While his classes may be tedious, remembering the ultimate goal he set for himself all those years ago keeps him motivated now and will keep him going through years of schooling.
Finding Your Groove
Not everyone knows what they want to be when they get to college, and not everyone knows what they want to be by the time they graduate.
Regan King, a junior who is majoring in health science on the pre-pharmacy track, said switching her major from psychology during her sophomore year came with its challenges.
“I was scared when I changed my major and worried I would fail my classes or just not be good enough for pharmacy. Now, I still have doubts all the time,” said King. “Whenever I get a mediocre grade back or hear about how light my friend’s course load is, I second-guess myself. Sometimes I wish I took the easy way and stuck with psychology, but I knew I wouldn’t enjoy my future in that field.”
With just one more year of undergraduate before pharmacy school, King has realized that the best way to discover your passion is with hands-on experience. Last summer, King worked as a pharmacy technician in her local CVS Pharmacy.
“I was able to fill prescriptions, interact with customers, handle insurance issues and shadow pharmacists. I liked this experience for the most part, and I discovered that I really love filling prescriptions and learning about different medications,” said King. “It assured me that pharmacy was the career field I wanted to go into.”
While it’s normal to have uncertainty regarding the future, it’s essential to plan ahead if you’re planning to pursue a career in healthcare. For King, this means taking a gap year after her graduation in the spring of 2026 to apply to pharmacy school and participate in an internship or research position.
As King continues her studies, she said she advises others to prioritize their mental health and take breaks, as pre-med can be very draining.
Rounding It Out
For senior nursing student Skylar McEvoy, the healthcare industry is a family affair.
“I come from a long line of first responders: firefighters, EMS, police officers … and hearing all they have experienced working with trauma patients was my first glimpse into anything with medicine,” said McEvoy.
McEvoy’s closest connection comes from her triplet brother and sister, who are also studying to go into the medical field. McEvoy’s sister was born with albinism, leaving her vision impaired.
“Watching her [McEvoy’s sister] flourish despite obstacles and people thinking she can’t do certain things has been inspiring. It has instilled in me that no matter if people have a disability or are in their lowest moments, they deserve the best care, ” said McEvoy.
UM’s nursing program, rated the number one private Bachelor of Science in Nursing program in Florida by the 2025 U.S. News and World Report, allows students to become eligible to take their NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse after four years of school. This differs from the standard timeline, which includes several years of nursing school on top of four years of undergraduate studies. With a 97.42% NCLEX passing rate, nursing students at UM become physically immersed in their field as part of their coursework, starting clinical rotations their junior year in different local hospitals. They also rotate departments to find what specialty suits them best.
“I have had a lot of experiences in clinical practice in various trauma, psychiatric, pediatrics, labor and delivery and ICU settings. I have loved every single one of my experiences,” said McEvoy. “I learn something new every day, and I have loved the process of discovering what specialty I want. I always thought I would be a pediatric nurse, but I have grown to love working with adults and in a trauma setting.”
Finding a balance between her studies and social life did not come easy for McEvoy initially, but she flourished with time.
“Do not let nursing school control your life,” McEvoy said. “It is a piece of the journey to becoming a nurse, and you learn so much once you get into clinical practice. You are entering the most trusted profession, and that’s such a beautiful thing. But the best things take time and hard work.”
Another senior nursing major, Gianni Mantovani, is also interested in critical trauma care. Before nursing school, Mantovani served almost eight years in the U.S. Army as a Staff Sergeant, watching his fellow soldiers and friends saved by healthcare providers in a high-stress environment where life and death are seconds apart.
“The constant has always been critical care nurses. They were essential to help save lives, and I felt as though I needed to be a part of that. Being a veteran now allows me to bring those perspectives and experiences to this new world I’m joining,” said Mantovani.
When it came to actually working in the field, Mantovani realized that managing stress at any moment is helpful not only for oneself but also for everyone around, including patients.
“Trauma care can be ‘make or break’ for a lot of patients, and having people who can excel in high-stress environments is important. Patients are already stressed being in the hospital, and if they see that you’re comfortable and confident in what you’re doing, they’ll feel more at ease,” said Mantovani.
Just weeks away from graduating, Mantovani said he believes that finding a support system in fellow nursing students is what helped him through the tough schoolwork. In his world, no nurse gets left behind.
“Help your fellow classmates,” said Mantovani. “It’s easy to focus on helping only yourself, but working now as a team and supporting each other will pay dividends in the future when working in a hospital.”
Whether you know someone studying to be in healthcare, are already working in healthcare, or are considering pursuing a career in healthcare, show these inspiring individuals an ounce of appreciation. Their efforts might be saving the lives of loved ones.
words_amanda mohamad. photo_ethan dosa. design_sal puma
This article was published in Distraction’s Summer 2025 print issue.
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