Bio: I am Roger Sherman PA-S. You can call me Roger. I started my medical career by returning to school as a 35-year-old musician. After completing medical school prerequisites at a community college in Chicago, I became a paramedic and worked with Chicago fire department and Ada County Paramedics (Boise Idaho) as a Street medic. I taught English classes on the southside of Chicago, and probably learned more from the “at risk youth” about life then they learn from me about English. After seven years in the field as a medic, I left the field, left the country, left the continent and went to a research base in Antarctica for four months to work in a medical clinic on the base. I was excepted into PA school, and returned to to the US and moved to Seattle to start a career as a practitioner. I am currently entering my second year as a PA-S and will start my clinical rotations in the fall. My focus is on emergency medicine, trauma team, and general practice for underserved communities.
When they attended their healthcare program: Currently attending
Current or intended field of Practice: EMT-P / 911 paramedic, PA focusing on ED/trauma
City of origin: Montpelier VT, Chicago IL, Boise ID, McMurdo Base Antarctica, Seattle WA
School they attended for their healthcare program: OHSU for medical school, University of Washington for Fellowship
Undergraduate major: Music – Jazz Bass performance / recording engineering
Why they became a mentor: I was a little late to the game, starting my medical career at the tender age of 35. I was an English teacher, a music, teacher, and a recording engineer prior, and I know the difficulties of facing huge life changes. I’d like to help give insight to anyone and everyone who is looking to break into the medical field. It’s my way of giving back to those who helped me.
Extra Comments:
I am not the smartest person in the room, no matter what room I’m in. I walked a pretty rocky path to end up here finally starting my dream career at the age of 45. I know the value of a lust for life and a thirst for knowledge. The best advice I have gotten on my path was from my late mother, who encouraged the mindset of “do your best, *bleep* the rest.” I’d like to help anyone getting into the medical field to succeed, and I think the Maya Angelou quote says it best.
“My mission in life is not mearly to survive, but to thrive. And to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style..” -Maya Angelou
AIM Towards Positive Change Mentorship Program 