Jessica Carter ’ 23 is looking to change the healthcare world, backed by empathy and compassion. As an Azusa Pacific University alumna, Carter has a deep understanding of all that goes into patient care, valuing holistic care and the person behind the body. Her time at APU taught her to connect with others and always be kind to herself and others.
Carter entered APU as an undergraduate student at just 15-years-old. Her early entry into the world of academia came with challenges, but she was readily supported by the APU community. “It was a unique experience attending college at a young age. All my faculty made the effort to keep me connected and supported me through the transition to a college atmosphere,” said Carter. “All my classmates treated me like a peer, and I felt like I belonged on this campus.”
Double-majoring in both organismal biology and psychology, Carter learned to value all aspects of the human experience. “We consider spiritual, mental, and physical health when caring for a patient. When I am approaching a patient, I am not approaching them as a machine, but as a person with a body and mind that functions,” said Carter. “A patient's emotional state can impact their physical state, so it was necessary to have an understanding of both.” This holistic approach to medicine has helped Carter connect with her patients on an emotional and physical level.
Carter also had the opportunity to work with Partners for Better Health during her time in undergrad, focusing on disaster and emergency preparedness for families with children with special needs. “I worked at the Wiley Center in Riverside, which serves children with autism and their families. It was a very eye-opening experience for me. We don’t talk about disaster preparedness until we have a disaster that hits close to home like the Palisades fire,” said Carter. “While we are thinking about gathering our necessary documents and finding a safe space to meet, these families have to consider a child with special needs. They may need special resources or not be able to communicate in emergencies.”
Additionally, her experience as a Christian has shaped her impact on the medical world,
including her current studies of medicine at the University of California, Riverside.
“Faith has been a guiding moral compass on how I approach cases, treatments, and patients.
I feel so honored to continue the healing ministry Jesus had while he was on Earth,”
said Carter.
Her faith was able to be fostered through her time at APU, where faith integration emphasized the importance of the spirit within the body you are healing. “The faculty stimulate critical and deep thinking about the integration of faith and the sciences. It challenged me to think deeper and to see perspectives that were unique to having a faith-integrated academic setting,” said Carter. Her faith also developed individually, as she grew in her personal relationship with God. “Since I was younger at the time of starting college, I came into my sense of self as an undergraduate, working to build my faith,” said Carter. “It taught me how to seek answers and build my individual relationship with God.”
Carter’s connections with her faculty and fellow classmates at APU have extended beyond her time here as a student and into her studies at UCR. “All of my professors knew me by name, they knew that I was a commuter, and they checked in on me, especially being a younger student. It felt like a big family, and I am always happy to come back here. Dr. Richart continues to be my mentor, and I know I can come to her with any questions,” said Carter. She also keeps in touch with her classmates from her undergraduate years, one of whom matriculated to UCR with her. “One of my classmates from my time in undergrad, Andy, is currently in my medical school class, which is a friendship that has transcended time. Now we can support each other even off the APU campus,” said Carter. She knows that APU supports the building of a community that lasts beyond the shared experience of college.
Carter’s time as a student at APU has created a solid foundation for the continuation
of her studies.
"Now jumping into medical school, I feel extremely well prepared and ahead of the
curve,” said Carter. “I have had a very strong background and foundational knowledge
to stand on. I have an advanced understanding of subjects like epidemiology and biostatistics,
which were unique to my undergraduate programs. I can always go back to the material
that I learned at APU.”
At the core of her studies and hard work is the understanding of community. “I would love to be a physician who gives back to their community. I am from the high desert, so I would love to keep working with San Bernardino County. This has been my home for my whole life,” said Carter. “I hope to be a mentor and work with others as they have mentored me and brought me to the path I am walking today.” She continues to give back to her community of APU as well, returning to work with faculty mentors or providing advice to current students. Carter works towards her academic goals with the support of APU’s academic understanding and community backing her.