Miki Kawahara ’22
Major: Health Sciences
Master’s of PA Program ’24
Honolulu, Hawaii

Why were you interested in studying Health Sciences at Butler?
When I was in high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in healthcare. Butler’s Health Sciences program stood out to me because it was focused on preparing students specifically for a career in healthcare. When I visited Butler, I saw how much the faculty invested in their students inside and outside the classroom. Dr. Soltis even took time out of his day to give my parents a tour of the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences while I was there! After meeting with the faculty and staff, I knew Butler was the right choice for me.

How did Butler prepare you for your career?
Butler prepared me for my career both inside and outside of the classroom. Butler’s rigorous Health Science curriculum prepared me to succeed during PA school. The Health Sciences program was an excellent gateway and transition into PA school because of my strong foundational knowledge. Classes such as Healthcare Communication provided me with great tips and insight that I often reference in my career today. Since Butler is a relatively small school, getting involved in clubs and activities outside of the classroom was very easy. I gained great leadership opportunities and experiences that I probably would not have been able to pursue at a larger school.

Which professor or faculty member influenced you the most while you were a student?
I am forever grateful for the mentorship and knowledge sharing that I received from countless faculty and staff throughout my time at Butler. However, Dr. Moore, my anatomy and physiology professor during my junior year, went above and beyond to enhance my experience. She wanted to get to know me personally and ensured I was doing okay since I was far from home. During my senior year, I had the opportunity to be a lab assistant for Dr. Moore’s anatomy and physiology class, and she also took the time to meet and talk with my family when I graduated with my Health Sciences degree. Dr. Moore was my home away from home, and I will always appreciate her!

What was your favorite part about being a student in Health Sciences?
My favorite part of being a student in Health Sciences was the relationships I built with my classmates and the faculty. Because the program is relatively small, it’s common to have the same classmates in several classes, and therefore, it is easier to build relationships with other students in the program. In addition, the faculty and staff are always very eager to help. I never felt as if I had a dumb question or I was “bothering” a professor to ask for advice or help with homework.

What advice do you have for students interested in studying Health Sciences? 
I was scared to jump into a specific program at first as I knew I would need to potentially get into a graduate program right after I finished undergrad. However, after meeting with students and faculty during my visit, I knew that whatever happened after undergrad, Butler would unconditionally support and help me reach my goals. I found that everything in the Health Sciences curriculum was topics/subjects that I was interested in and wanted to learn about. If a future student is interested in healthcare, the Health Sciences is a great route to follow!