Arcadia Physician Assistant Alumna Named 40 Under 40: Alex Carter ‘17M, PA-C
Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Director of Population Health, Alex Carter ‘17M, PA-C, has a knack for recognizing when healthcare and social services are lacking for a particular subset of the community and identifying what innovations need to be made to fill that need. She understands that finding the right solutions for care includes making resources available to those who need it most. As a first-generation college graduate and graduate student, Alex attributes both Arcadia University and her personal drive to her success in her life, career, and most recently, being included in 40 Under 40 Class of 2024 honorees by Albuquerque Business First.
In her role leading population health initiatives with a national healthcare organization, Carter remotely manages 25 state locations. Originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, her path to New Mexico took her through geographic twists and turns. She went to undergraduate school at Southern Virginia University, for, “an adventure.”
When looking at physician assistant graduate programs, Arcadia’s small class sizes and lived values were a selling point, and she soon enrolled. Living within walking distance from Glenside’s campus, Carter recalls, “Arcadia’s accessibility made it easy to put your arms around the school. You feel like you truly matter and there are valuable resources and programs, not just in the classroom, but within the University community.”
Carter says that studying at Arcadia was both challenging and motivating. At the time, students had access to the facilities and services at Jefferson University in Philadelphia. Carter said, “Having access to two campuses was groundbreaking. Gaining experience in a gross anatomy lab was an opportunity to learn anatomy through interaction and dissection of human cadavers, which is not necessarily an academic necessity at all schools.” The accommodations for learning and great selection of professors were just two of the reasons she loved Arcadia’s Physician Assistant Program.
During her studies, Alex was able to participate in many clinical rotations in different areas of the country. “My whole life changed because I was able to explore different states,” she said: “I went to Las Vegas, Nevada; Dover, Delaware; the Cape May Coast Guard Training Center; and Albuquerque, New Mexico. The out-of-state rotations were really special.”
When traveling to New Mexico for her rotation, Carter experienced some travel delays. Normally a nuisance to be forgotten, not so for Carter because during one of the layovers between flights is when she met her now-husband. “Arcadia is a very big part of why we are together,” she said, “Now we live in New Mexico together with our six year old daughter, Scout. Being a mother is one of my greatest achievements.”
After graduation, she began working for New Mexico’s largest healthcare system, Presbyterian Healthcare Services, in their urgent emergency care unit, and was soon initiating transforming programs including the telehealth division and overseeing specialty care for the elderly. Alex helped build a seniors’ facility, where it was encouraged for that community to learn more about their basic needs and health. Carter is now furthering her education and knowledge by pursuing a Doctor of Medical Science degree that will help prepare her for future leadership and research opportunities.
Alex continues to abide by the best advice she’s received. “You’re not going to fit in everywhere. It always feels like a personal failure when I don’t fit in, but I know I’m not supposed to fit in everywhere or with everything. I truly think Arcadia’s culture helped me realize that the fit is important. The comfortable environment at Arcadia allowed me to succeed to the best of my ability and rise to the occasion. Ultimately, you are your best resource!”
To read her 40 Under 40 profile by Albuquerque Business First, visit: https://www.bizjournals.com/albuquerque/c/40-under-40-honorees-2024/24639/40-under-40-alex-carter.html
