We had the good fortune of connecting with Amber Henry and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Amber, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started my brand/blog while I was in physician assistant school in 2017. I wanted to document my journey throughout PA school as a way to mentor and inspire others. I did not know that it would grow to what it is today.
The medical field is notorious for having a lack of diversity. The number of minority providers, especially physician assistants, are sparse, so I wanted to share my journey to hopeful encourage others that look like me and come from a similar background that they too can achieve this. My blog eventually grew to what it is today. I have several pre-PA students that I mentor regularly and I have done several speaking engagements at different colleges and universities about the PA profession and my journey to becoming a physician assistant.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have been a physician assistant for almost 3 years, and I just recently transitioned into Trauma/Burn Critical Care a few weeks ago. I started my career as a Pulmonary/Critical Care PA for which I held that role for 2.5 years.
My journey to becoming a physician assistant had some challenges. A physician assistant is an advanced medical provider that provides patient care under the direct supervision of a physician. Initially, I was a biology major, chemistry minor at Georgia State University. I first thought I wanted to become a doctor, but that soon changed once I did some further research about what a physician assistant does and their capabilities, which unfortunately wasn’t until after I graduated from GA State in 2012.
Though I was a scholar in high school and graduated with honors, I did not spend much time studying in high school, and I was blessed to still maintain good grades. However, I did not know that my lack of study habits would cause havoc especially on my grades in undergrad. As most teenagers, I desired freedom and independence, and I was so excited to be seen as an adult to society. While I was in college, I spent more time partying then studying, and of course, my grades suffered. There was one point where my GPA dropped below a 3.0 my sophomore year, and I was at risk of losing my academic scholarship. That, for me, was a huge wakeup call, and I did the “adult” thing and buckled down with studying and focused on school. I was living at an off campus apartment at the time, and I did want most 19 year old dread and moved back in with my parents. This was the best move that I could make and saved myself and my future. I was away from all the distractions and I focused solely on school. I was able to redeem myself and restore my GPA. I eventually graduated in 2012 with my Bachelors in Biology with a minor in Chemistry.
The grind did not stop after graduation. I spent thousands of dollars on preparation on medical school (at this time, I was still pre-med), and I took the MCAT 2 times, and each time my scores were subpar. I started to doubt myself and began to wonder if becoming a MD was in my destiny. I then tried for third time taking the MCAT, and this time, I received my desired score. However, when it was time for my application to be submitted, something did not feel right. Something was telling me that become a physician was not what God wanted for my life. I prayed to God about if this was the right choice for me and if this is what he had aligned for me. After praying day and night, I then got the answer I needed from God, which was to pursue a career as a physician assistant.
I then returned back to GA State fall of 2015 and started taking the required prerequisites for PA, and I applied to PA school the following summer in 2016, and I got accepted to my top school!
PA school was extremely difficulty – probably one of the hardest things that I have ever done! PA school in was a little over 2 years. The first year was didactic (classroom) and the final year was my clinical year. There were many times that I did not know how I would get through school, and if I would graduate, but I did! I graduated with Honors my South University in Savannah, GA in 2019 with my Masters in Physician Assistant studies.
I began working as a Critical Care PA in Atlanta, GA May 2019. I knew the role would be challenging, but who knew that I would begin my career as a baby PA during a pandemic…
I worked through all 5 surges during the COVID pandemic, and it was/is the most challenging thing I have ever done. The things that I witnessed, I do not wish that on anyone including my enemies. The emotional and physical stress that I have endure over the past 2 years has taken a toll. I have seen more loss than wins. More death, than life. Most of my days were filled with delivery bad news to families, which usually was providing the news that their loved ones have passed away. Though, I have now stepped away from that role, the trauma stays with me.
My lesson to those are navigating the ups and downs through the career and to achieve their goals, do not give up. Take the challenges with grace and head on. There is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a very active person and I love being outdoors, so a lot of my activities will probably include being outside with some type of activity.
During the week, I would take them to the Battery and try some of the restaurants there. If it is baseball season and the Braves are playing, there is almost some type of event going on . I love barbeque, so I would take them to Fox Bros BBQ and then go to Fat Tuesday. Atlanta is famous for their hookah, so of course, hookah is on the itinerary. One of my favorite places to get hookah is Lions. It’s a hidden gem off of Buford Highway. It’s in the cut and very lowkey. While visiting in Atlanta, you have to take a visit to the Beltline, Piedmont Park and Ponce City Market. There are a lot of quaint restaurants in the areas, which I often frequent, or they are also nice if you want to go on a evening walk. On the weekend, if it is nice, I would either hike up Stone Mountain or Kennesaw Mountain and then to top it off with a workout at Grant Park.
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have a very strong support system, and I come from a pretty big family, and we are very close. They have been imperative to who and I am and where I am in my career today. I especially want to give a shoutout to my mother, Jeri Henry. There is nothing like a mother’s love or a mother that prays without ceasing, and I can say that without my mother’s support, I would no where be the woman that I am today. She has sacrificed so much for me and my career and I am forever grateful for that. Her prayers and words of wisdom have gotten me through some of my toughest battles. I would also like to give a shoutout to my father, Eddie Henry. He is a perfect example of how a father should love his children, and how a husband should honor his wife. He has made sure I had the best of everything growing up and until now.
Instagram: AmbzthePA___xo
Twitter: AmbzthePA