An Education is Priceless

May 6, 2011 — By Amy Radik

When Jennifer Barlow was 16, she opted to start college through the Summer Excellence and Early Admissions Program at FM. “I considered myself very lucky to have the option of getting a head start on my college education, and enjoyed the challenges I faced when I enrolled,” says Jennifer. “It was great starting out college with my contemporaries, rather than with the more diverse college community. It helped me to adjust to the different pace that you encounter when you get into the higher ed system. It also taught me early on to take advantage of those shorter semesters because even though they were packed, they tended to be much more laid back.”

But what Jennifer didn’t realize at the time was that not only did FM offer a less expensive education than other schools, the quality of the education was comparable to any one of the other institutions within the SUNY system. “I knew that I would eventually move on to another school, but I figured why not get all my basics out of the way locally and for less cash,” says Jennifer. “After all, I was a ‘poor’ college student; any help I could get was welcome, and I was able to attend on a scholarship. With such a small campus, it was easy to get to know your professors on a very personable level, you don’t find that on the larger campuses.”

Originally Jennifer started out as a computer science major. “I loved computers!” she exclaims. “I just didn’t like the required hours and being alone in the computer lab. After the first year, I shifted my focus to healthcare and changed my major to General Studies.”

Jennifer went on to earn a B.S. in Physician Assistant Studies from St. Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. She became certified as a physician assistant in 1996 and has worked in various positions since that time. She spent ten years working for Kaiser Permanente of the Northwest in the Department of Primary Care.

“I was a primary care provider for more than eight years and I worked as a Depression Case Manager for one and a half years,” says Jennifer. “When that program lost its funding, I decided to look elsewhere for employment. I have worked in family practice for two different community health systems and have worked in urgent or immediate care since 2008. I am licensed to practice in both Oregon and Washington and have held positions in both states. I currently work for a small, privately owned urgent care clinic and love it! The clinic is in a smaller, more rural area; the region reminds me a lot of FM and upstate New York. Every day is different. The two physicians who own the clinic are fabulous and hold near celebrity-status in the town for their meticulous, kind, compassionate care. I consider myself very lucky to be a part of the close-knit care team there.”

Although Jennifer still loves computers, she’s glad her start at FM showed her the way to a different career she would enjoy. “An education is priceless and can only open doors to opportunities for anyone willing to grab hold!” states Jennifer. “Take advantage of any sort of learning opportunity that comes your way, you never know where it may take you in the future.”

Amy Radik is Coordinator of Public Relations & Marketing at FM.