Current Position: Student in Quinnipiac University’s Pathologists’ Assistant Program
Story Last Updated: Summer 2024
Journey to GMercyU
Grace deFreese, a 2017 graduate of Perkiomen Valley High School, first heard about GMercyU through an alumna of the University. She was sold when she visited.
The selling point was how I was treated during my visit and meeting with transfer staff. I felt like I was truly wanted in the program and that choosing GMercyU would really benefit me.
Grace was a member of the Student Association of Science (SAS) on campus.
Experience in the Biology Program
Grace felt endless support and attention from her professors, and thrived being in a smaller classroom environment.
Learning felt like a more personal, human experience. I wasn't just a name on a class roster, but someone who had a true educational relationship with my professors.
One faculty member that stuck out was Dr. Felicia Barbieri. Though her classes are difficult, the content pushed Grace as a student.
“I think her workload also really prepared me for the reality of post-grad classes. Not only this, but despite having a challenging class, she was still always extremely fair and that is what I loved most. She appreciated hard work and real effort which are qualities that extend into life beyond a classroom,” Grace said.
Classes that stood out to Grace were her labs with Dr. Michelle McEliece and Dr. Justin McClain, former professor.
“Both had a more hands-off approach (while being patient with me) which forced me to actually learn how to do lab work,” Grace said.
During Summer 2022, Grace completed shadow hours at Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. The experience was “incredible,” and it allowed Grace to connect with a group of individuals who share the same passions, further solidifying Grace’s own goals.
“I spent multiple days in the pathology lab watching the pathologist’s assistants grow, make frozen slides, and perform and autopsy,” Grace said.
Research
Dr. Maria Winters, former GMercyU professor, assisted Grace with conducting lab research for her senior thesis. Despite the process being long and taking up much of her summer, Grace said she “loved every minute of it.” She had the opportunity to express her own ideas and experiment.
“Dr. Winters also did an amazing job of bouncing ideas off me, teaching me new lab methods, and mentoring me,” Grace said.
Post-Graduation
Grace is currently a student in Quinnipiac University's Pathologists' Assistant program.
Pathology has been my passion forever, so becoming a PA is my goal.
Her dream job is to be a pathologists' assistant (PA) for a forensic pathologist.
Why GMercyU?
“My favorite part about GMercyU was how much of a community it feels like. I know I mentioned it several times about the biology department, but that also goes for my other classes. Even my general education courses, seminars, and theology classes were close knit and taught by some lovely people. I loved that if I needed anything, I could still message my history professor from three semesters ago and he would still remember me,” Grace said.
