“Find a school that mirrors your values.”
Student Doctor Andrea Perttula’s path to medicine was shaped not only by the physician shortages she witnessed in her home state of Idaho, but by the countless stories she carried as a volunteer crisis counselor — stories that revealed the deep, invisible wounds many carry alone.
For Student Dr. Perttula, medicine is not just a career; it’s a calling to restore trust in a system that has too often failed those it was meant to serve.
“I learned how important connection, compassion, and empathy are when dealing with hurting people,” she shared, reflecting on her time counseling those in crisis. At PNWU, Student Dr. Perttula says she’s finally found a school that doesn’t just align with her mission on paper, but lives it in every interaction.
“It has affirmed my desire to provide comprehensive care to rural and underserved populations,” she explains.
With trust and empathy as the cornerstones of her future practice, Student Dr. Perttula is determined to be a physician who listens first, empowers always, and ensures that no patient feels invisible.
Her selection as a Mission Fit awardee is not just a recognition of her alignment with PNWU’s values — it’s a glimpse into the kind of compassionate, community-centered care that defines our future physicians.