Permanent link for Full-Time Student & Full-Time Front Lines on June 14, 2021

David Alekseyenko is currently a full-time Allied Health Student at GVSU’s Traverse City Regional Center and a full-time Phlebotomy Technician 3 at Munson Hospital. He is a Traverse City native that graduated from high school in 2018 and chose to start at NMC the Fall of 2018.

After graduation David wanted to go to college but also wanted to stay in the area to save money by living with his family and working full time. Starting at NMC was the right fit for David. It allowed him to get his Associates Degree in Science and the Arts through NMC while further exploring his fascination with medicine and contemplating what next steps to further his education in the medical field. 

He wanted to stay in the Traverse City area and remain at his current Phlebotomy Technician 3 position at Munson. David said, “The Traverse City Regional Center was an awesome choice for financial reasons along with the ability to stay in town and keep my job.”

David has always had a fascination with medicine and contemplated several careers in the medical field. He appreciated the responsibilities of a PA along with the option for a more consistent schedule.

He furthered his understanding of the PA career by joining the Pre-PA Society through NMC and continuing with the group while at GVSU’s Regional Center. He has participated as a board member for a year and will be the president this coming year.  This society allows prospective PA students and Pre-PA students to come together to share information, knowledge, job shadow opportunities, along with conducting mock interviews. For those interested, reach out to [email protected].

GVSU’s Regional Center was an easy choice as it had the educational pathway to the PA program David was looking for. He started at GVSU the Fall of 2020 and appreciates the smaller class sizes, online learning and flexible schedule that allows him to work full-time as a Phlebotomy Technician 3 at Munson. He plans to apply for the PA program in the Fall of 2021. He chose to take on a full-time school schedule so he could move through the program at the fast pace he desired while maintaining a full-time job.

While in his current career role, David has learned so much and reinforced his passion and interests for the medical field. He has been on the front lines before and during the pandemic. David shared, “At first things were slow as we were more isolated in Traverse City at the beginning. Even the ER was slower than normal. Then as Covid-19 came North things got more intense and we all got very busy.”

At times David has direct contact with Covid-19 patients. He experienced a rapid change in procedures as it took more time to get ready to go into a room along with increased sanitation and containment requirements. Being in a mask for 12 hours a day was a major adjustment to adapt to as well. David reflected saying, “You had to get used to more stress, but you didn’t realize how much it added up until later.” He is willing to help in all the capacities he can and appreciates being part of the team. David was excited to share that he had just received a promotion to Phlebotomist Team Lead as well. He added, “in our allied health science classes it's always reiterated that it’s not just the physicians that make the team, you are still a big part of the team as the phlebotomist.'' 

When asked if he would do anything different as a current student, David simply stated, “probably take more classes at the beginning. Front loading your schedule to take more classes up initially allows less classes your senior year. My next couple semesters will be heavy workloads.”

After David finishes the Allied Health Science  program through GVSU’s Regional Center he hopes to pursue the PA program here in Traverse City to stay in town. In the end he really enjoys working at Munson and would love to work there as a PA to give back to his community. .

If you’d like to better understand how you can further your education while balancing your career life, reach out to GVSU’s regional staff at https://www.gvsu.edu/traverse/lets-get-started-42.htm or email us at [email protected]

Posted on Permanent link for Full-Time Student & Full-Time Front Lines on June 14, 2021.