From Biomedical Studies to Physician Assistant Studies with Rachel Estadt, MABS '21

Have you ever heard of a Master of Biomedical Studies (MABS)? At Chatham, our MABS program is designed to serve as a bridge for students to build their knowledge and prepare them for success in a variety of advanced healthcare degrees including MD, DO, PA, dental, and veterinary programs. This one-year program is the perfect opportunity to boost your credentials for an advanced medical degree— just ask Rachel Estadt, MABS ‘21. After successfully completing her MABS at Chatham, Rachel is returning to complete her Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS). Read on to learn more about Rachel’s journey—

Tell us a little bit about why you decided to pursue a Master of Biological Studies at Chatham.

As I was online searching for various institutions that would be the best fit for me, Chatham came to the top of the webpage. I had a friend who attended the university at the time, so I reached out to them with questions. My friend had great things to say about Chatham and how helpful the professors were. I was also drawn to the cadaver dissection lab since many other programs did not offer a cadaver dissection opportunity. After speaking with and receiving a warm welcome from the admissions counselor, I decided to apply to Chatham because it seemed to be a friendly environment that offered a hands-on learning experience.

What were the highlights of the program for you?

I thoroughly enjoyed the cadaver dissection lab and the memorable learning experiences that came with it. During my time in the course, I was able to learn the structures of the human body through the use of hands-on learning. I was given the opportunity to learn anatomy on a new level by participating first-hand in cadaver dissection.

What are you currently working on in your career and what led you there?

While enrolled in the MABS program, I was given the opportunity to become a teaching assistant for Biology and Chemistry courses. I was then able to continue teaching at a local college near my hometown before starting Physician Assistant school at Chatham this Fall. I am enthusiastic about returning to Chatham to continue in my journey of becoming a PA.

How did your time in the MABS program help prepare you for PA school?

The MABS program faculty helped me to set goals and achieve them. The graduate admissions counselor helped me to plan out a detailed path to achieve my goals of becoming a PA. He met with me one-on-one to discuss specific courses to complete to ensure that I met all GPA requirements, and to practice mock PA school interviews. He provided useful feedback that helped me to achieve all goals I had set for myself.

Why would you recommend the Master of Biomedical Studies to other interested students?

I would recommend this program to another interested student because the MABS program provided me with unforgettable experiences like the cadaver dissection lab and teaching opportunities. Aside from academic experiences, I made many wonderful lifelong friends during my time here at Chatham.

Anything else you’d like to share?

I would like to highlight the graduate level immunology course which is an elective option for the MABS program. It was by far my favorite class—immunology is my favorite subject. This course was not offered at my undergraduate institution, so I was very excited about the course being offered at Chatham. I thoroughly enjoyed learning this subject at an in-depth and detailed level. The professor was very knowledgeable, enjoyed teaching, and was helpful to learn from.

Ready to learn more about these programs? Visit our website to explore our Master of Biomedical Studies and Master of Physician Studies degrees.