“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog highlighting stories of Black women’s struggles and successes.

Always an Honor Roll student, while Bintou Berete, PA. was in undergraduate school, she did a project that focused on the nursing and Physician Assistant profession. She also volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), and shadowed a nurse and a Physician Assistant to figure out the best career path for her.

She was more drawn to the PA profession. Every time Bintou shadowed the PA, she smiled and wished that she could be in her shoes.

She explained that oftentimes people mistake Physician Assistants for just assistants, but points out that they are more like a doctor. Unlike nurses, Physician Assistants could prescribe medicine and diagnose a patient. “Just because you’re working under a physician doesn’t mean you can’t do things on your own,” she said.

Ambitious Bintou wanted the best out of life, but she was also certain that she didn’t want to be in school forever. Going to medical school to become a doctor was crossed off her list. She sought a career that would grant her a work-life balance because she envisioned starting a family in the future. She learned that Physician Assistants learn what doctors learn in many years within a 2-year accelerated program. Also, she learned that doctors could not change careers once they decided to specialize in one area. Whereas a PA who works in family medicine can one day wake up and decide to become an OBGYN, if she wants to.

According to Bintou's findings, PA professionals make 90K plus annually, depending on the location. With the PA profession providing more flexibility and a promising salary, junior Bintou decided to apply to the PA program at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, but was rejected. Determined to go into the health field, even if it meant going into Nursing instead, she fixed her resume and applied to more schools, and spent over $1000 USD on application fees.

She got accepted into a nursing program in Georgia and was ready to accept her new reality. Her belongings were packed and her entire life was planned around her new life studying nursing in Georgia.

A week later, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine called her for an interview. Since she had already made up her mind to study at the nursing school, she did not want to cancel all of her plans once again. Luckily, Bintou had an outspoken and supportive friend who told her that this was the school she once desperately wanted to attend, and ought to cancel her plans and pick her dream school if accepted.

One day, when Bintou returned home, she picked up a letter from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, and assumed that it was an invitation letter to visit the school. When she opened the envelope, she teared up while reading the letter which informed her that she had been accepted to her dream school.

It was a happy moment for her as she was ready to begin a new chapter of her life that could lead her to victory. Bintou describes her first year in the program as rough. She had 3 exams weekly, and consistently met up with her study group. On weekdays she studied from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and for several hours on weekends as well. With barely any sleep or free time left for a social life, she focused on her studies and made sure that she maintained over a 3.0 GPA— which was required to remain in the program.

This year, Bintou reached her biggest milestone thus far; she graduated from the 2-year accelerated program and became a Certified PA.

Jina M Crawford, Bintou’s former college teammate and close friend of 6 years says, “Bintou is one of the most driven, passionate and multifaceted people that I know. While in college she juggled playing on the women’s basketball team, being an EMT, taking part in faculty-advised research and tutoring other students, all while achieving outstanding grades.”

“She fights for what she wants in life and never gives up. She is also a great encourager. When I experienced seasons of not believing in myself, she has always assured me that great things were coming for me. I am extremely blessed to have Bintou as a friend and I truly believe that she deserves every accolade that she has received and will receive in the future. Bintou Berete is destined for greatness and I cannot wait to see all that she will accomplish,” Jina added.

One of Bintou’s long-term goals is to build a clinic in Guinea and provide medical donations. Both of Bitnou’s parents were not educated. She expressed that instead of forcing marriage on her, they invested in her education and encouraged her throughout her journey.

This young lady was adamant about what she wanted for herself. Whether you choose to become a nurse, doctor or Physician Assistant, Bintou’s success story shows that it is rewarding when you pick a career path that can complement the life you aspire to live.