Sinking Her Teeth into a Career in Health Care: Estelle Su ’27

A dental practice proved to be the ideal place for Estelle Su ’27 to sink her teeth into a career in health care. 

A student in Le Moyne’s Physician Assistant (PA) Studies  program, Su recently completed an internship at the Dentist Collaborative in North Andover, Massachusetts. It was a deviation from the path Su plans to take –  to work in pediatrics or labor and delivery. However, it was still incredibly valuable. She had the opportunity to become part of the team at a medical practice, sterilizing exam rooms and instruments, welcoming patients, taking their vital signs and medical histories, and generally ensuring that they felt comfortable.

Even as a child, Su never took her health for granted. The South Africa native knew that, for some people, being able to do something as seemingly simple as navigating a flight of stairs or going on a walk with a loved one was not possible. She envisioned making an impact on the world, helping people to enjoy the highest quality of life possible, by working in medicine. At first she thought that would be as a hospital administrator. However, she eventually realized that she didn’t want to manage and oversee a hospital’s day-to-day operations; she was called to work with patients directly.  

Now Su is preparing to enter the field at a moment when there is a tremendous need for talented, compassionate caregivers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 20 percent from 2024 to 2034, much faster than the average for all occupations. She looks forward to bringing to the profession not just the technical skills she is gaining through her internship and coursework in the physician assistant studies program, but the leadership skills she is developing as a member of Le Moyne’s EMS, president of Asian Students in Alliance, and a resident adviser in Foery Hall.