Outstanding Senior Spotlight: Taylor Phalen

Biology (Pre-Med) major Taylor Phalen grew up just steps away from her grandma's house, where she spent countless afternoons and summer days.

Her grandmother's medical challenges, including anxiety around eating due to fluid in her lungs, left a lasting impression. Phalen helped ease those fears by sitting with her, creating comfort through presence and patience - an early lesson in the emotional side of care.

"That was the first time I really cared for someone in that way," Phalen said.

In fifth grade, her perspective deepened even further when an aunt was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer. Watching treatment unfold firsthand reinforced the impact medical professionals can have on both patients and families.

Add to that two knee surgeries from playing competitive soccer and by high school, Phalen had been exposed to health care from many angles.

Getting started

Phalen took every science class offered and earned her CNA license, beginning hands-on patient care while still a student. She worked as a patient care technician at a hospital in Overland Park, gaining real-world clinical experience.

That foundation led her to one of the most important opportunities of her academic career: working as a medical scribe and intern for Dr. Mindi Garner, a Pitt State graduate passionate about mentoring future physicians.

"That clinical experience was huge," Phalen said. "I took what I learned in the classroom and put it directly into practice."

Concepts from courses like Human Physiology - medications, disease processes, and systems of the body - came to life as Phalen assisted in real patient encounters, prepared charts, verified medications, and documented electronic medical records.

"What made it so meaningful was seeing patients in real life who had the conditions we were studying," she said. "It really tied everything together."

Phalen learned about the opportunity through the Biology Department's Pre-Health Orientation course, where students meet area physicians invested in educating the next generation- many of whom hope students will consider practicing in rural communities where the need is great.

"What's nice about Pittsburg is how accessible those connections are," Phalen said. "Getting your foot in the door at a larger place can be much more difficult."

Pre-Meds with Promise

Dr. Garner took that mentorship a step further by creating a new course at Pitt State this spring: Intern Pre-Meds with Promise, which allows interns to blend academics with day-to-dayclinical experience and earn credit.

Phalen served as the teaching assistant and a selected team captain among the scribes.

"My role was to create assignments that matched students' educational goals while keeping them clinically relevant," she said.

She developed weekly discussion prompts, facilitated case studies, and helped students analyze real experiences from the clinic.

"Being able to reflect on what you see and do is crucial," Phalen said. "That's something you have to carry throughout medical school and beyond."

The final exam was to create a "medical artifact"- a polished, reflective document they could include in medical school applications.

Beyond the classroom

Phalen also found growth through student involvement. As a member of Alpha Gamma Delta sorority, she held leadership roles that helped her learn how to communicate, plan, and listen, which will translate directly into her career.

In June, she will participate in a Biology study abroad trip to Belize, providing clinic care to underserved populations alongside physicians and peer medical students.

"It will be really meaningful to serve people who don't typically have access to care," Phalen said.

In July, she will begin her next chapter at Kansas City University College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is drawn to specialties like obstetrics and gynecology or pediatrics - fields that emphasize long-term patient relationships and procedural work.

"The patient-physician relationship is at the top of my list," she said. "I've seen that with Dr. Garner - patients who've been with her for years. Especially in something like OB-GYN, it'ssuch a vulnerable experience. I want to create a trusting environment."

Learn more about Biology (Pre-Med) at Pitt State: https://www.pittstate.edu/science/programs/biology/pre-medicine-pre-dental/index.html