Trisha Taylor knew as a little girl that she wanted to be part of something greater than herself and told her grandpa she wanted to be a doctor. But those plans went on hold when she became pregnant at 16.
“Boy, did that put a dent in my plans for college,” said the medical assistant at the Texas Health Physicians Group practice Justin Family and Sports Care Clinic. Taylor had been in line to get a running scholarship but graduated from high school early so she could focus on being a mother.
Then the unthinkable happened.
Her daughter was diagnosed at 18 months with periventricular leukomalacia, a condition that affects the white matter in the brain, which transmits nerve impulses that control motor function. Taylor said her daughter apparently had a stroke before she was born.
“Finding out my child would likely never walk, never talk, and would rely on me for her every need in life for the rest of her life was a life-changing moment, and it made me the woman I am today,” Taylor said.
Her daughter needed countless medical interventions and treatments for years just to be healthy. Today, at 11, Taylor said, she’s the healthiest she’s ever been but has a feeding tube, is incontinent, uses a wheelchair and cannot speak. Even so, a device enables her to use eye movements to communicate — she can take tests and she’s in the sixth grade.
Finding fulfillment
As a decade went by, Taylor married, had two more daughters and then found herself at a low point. “I felt like my dreams and aspirations had been on hold for so long that I was unable to even recognize myself anymore.”
She had been treated for post-traumatic stress disorder for events that took place while she was a teenager caring for her child. For example, she said, at one point “I was 17 performing CPR on my kid and I didn’t even know how to do CPR. A dispatcher talked me through it.”
Her daughter also had repeated seizures — one when she was able to stand up and walk with assistance — and sustained more brain damage.
“I knew I needed to find fulfillment outside my motherly and wifely duties or I would wind up destroying myself with my own disappointment,” Taylor said.
Next stop: THPG
She enrolled in classes at the College of Health Care Professions (CHCP) in Fort Worth, which collaborates with Texas Health Physicians Group on an externship program, to become a medical assistant. The program was created to help fill a need for qualified medical assistants and works toward creating a diverse applicant pool, part of Texas Health’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative.
“My dream has always been to be a nurse,” Taylor said. “But I figured medical assistant school would be the perfect opportunity to learn direct patient care and get experience in healthcare before making the huge decision to get a four-year degree.”
She kept her GPA high, was part of a student ambassador program and then was nominated for the THPG externship. After five weeks of training at another clinic, she was hired at the Justin practice — 10 minutes from her house — in April.
“Trisha has always shown a willingness and enthusiasm to learn,” said Alicia Gustafson, D.O., the clinic’s physician. “She works very efficiently and patients have really appreciated that. She has been a valuable asset to our clinic!”
Taylor graduated from the CHCP medical assistant program in May and then applied to nursing school. Taylor said the program and her THPG externship helped her “acknowledge my courage and taught me the fundamentals to be able to take this step.”
As she starts working on her basics for an associate degree, she’s also taken on more at home — now she also has custody of her niece and nephew.
“I don’t know what it’s like to not have chaos,” Taylor laughed.
More About THPG Externships
Texas Health’s Medical Assistant Extern Program brings students into Texas Health Physicians Group practices for externships through affiliations with medical assistant programs at colleges.
Not all are hired at THPG practices — but the number was as high as 68% in the past year. The need is great. For example, THPG had 94 openings as of Oct. 19.
These are the affiliations:
The College of Health Care Professions (Fort Worth) — cohorts begin every four weeks, cohort average is seven to 10 students
North Central Texas College (Lewisville, Denton, The Colony, Flower Mound, Alliance) — Cohorts are twice a year, fall and spring, cohort average is 10 students
Collin College (McKinney, Allen, Rockwall, Richardson) — cohorts are twice a year, fall and spring, cohort average is 10 students
El Centro (Dallas) — cohorts are twice a year, fall and spring, first cohort in August is three students
For information about medical assistant programs, contact the college or school of your choice.
Published October 25, 2022
