USD School of Health Sciences Success Spotlight

Alec Michael Baker

Like many students who earn their undergraduate degrees at USD, Alec Baker chose to stay for his graduate studies. Baker, who is a first year master's degree student in the Physician Assistant Studies program, says his familiarity and confidence in the School of Health Sciences enabled him to hit the ground running in his new program.

"It's a very fast paced graduate degree, which I appreciate," says Baker. "We are already getting clinical experience both at the clinic here in Vermillion and in Sanford's Emergency Room. I'm so happy I picked USD since I'm already super comfortable here."

Even as an undergraduate, Baker knew that he wanted to pursue a career in healthcare, but didn't know exactly what that would look like. He says the Health Sciences major helped him find the right path while his specialization in Clinical Studies helped prepare him for the rigors of the master's degree program.

"It probably took me a couple of interdisciplinary science classes to settle on being a PA," says Baker. "They brought in different kinds of providers to talk about their day to day. So I knew that I wanted to be face to face with patients."

Now in the second semester of his 24-month Physician Assistant Studies program, Baker says he feels not only well-prepared but also well-supported, by both his fellow students and his professors.

"I love that my class size is just 25 people and that our PA faculty really want us to succeed," says Baker. "There have been some pretty stressful times in this first year, but their offices are always open and they help us keep things in perspective. You can see that they will go above and beyond to help you."

Baker hopes to practice in South Dakota after graduation.