COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH
STUDENT PROFILE
Alexandra Loakes
Alexandra Loakes is a student in the College of Science and Health ' s Physician Assistant program . Loakes , who graduates in 2023 , grew up in a diverse area of Pomona , California .
" At a young age in high school , I was able to see the huge disparities in my community especially related to the heath field and that ’ s where my initial interest in the health and sciences field began ," said Loakes .
Before starting her journey at CDU , Loakes worked as an Emergency Medical Technician ( EMT ). " After years working as an EMT , I realized how limited my voice was for the change I wanted to bring to my community ," said Loakes . " I knew I had to go into a career field that ’ ll give me the platform to be able to do so ."
When applying to Physician Assistant programs , it was important to Loakes that she chose a school whose mission aligned with her values . " CDU was just that ," she explained . " I have the absolute privilege of that now , I am being trained by healthcare professionals that work in this community and can identify needs specific to our community and train us in ways to handle them . I know I am receiving well-rounded training that ’ ll equip me to be an excellent clinician in the near future ."
Loakes describes her time at CDU as engaging and credits the university for providing both the tools and platform for her to amplify her voice on healthcare disparities . She is actively involved in the Social Justice Society , a CDU student organization .
" I have been able to help elicit change in the surrounding community with the help of the Social Justice Society ," shared Loakes . " As current co-president , we are working diligently to bridge healthcare gaps in our community with the help of faculty , staff and colleagues . We are continually working in alignment to address the disparities I noticed since high school ."
Loakes looks forward to further diving into combating health disparities as a future Physician Assistant .
" There is so much to look forward to in the future . I am aware of the support system I have had to make it this far in my journey and I want to be able to thank them back in the future ," shared Loakes . " My family , friends and professors have been so crucial to my success , and I look forward to making them proud in the future with the mark I will make with my voice , the voice they amplified ."
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