Name: Sarah Rocha
Class Year: 2024
Title: Medical Assistant
Organization Name: Boston Bone and Joint Institute
1. In one sentence, what does your job entail?
As a medical assistant in an orthopedic office, I assist with rooming patients, help providers with injections, fit durable medical equipment (DME), and perform suture removals.
2. What planned and unplanned events connected you to your industry and your first employer after Holy Cross? How did you learn/decide it was a good fit for you?
After graduating from Holy Cross, I planned to take two gap years before medical school to gain more clinical experience, and I wanted to find a place that would not only give me hands-on experience but also encourage growth in my knowledge of patient care and the medical field. Since orthopedic surgery is a specialty that interests me, BBJI stood out as the perfect fit. One of the biggest reasons I chose BBJI was because of Suzanne Miller, one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the country. As a female aspiring to work in a heavily male-dominated field like orthopedics, having the chance to work alongside a successful female surgeon was an incredible opportunity that I couldn’t pass up.
Another reason BBJI appealed to me was the unique dynamic among the medical assistants. Unlike most practices, where MAs often pursue it as a long-term profession, at BBJI, all the MAs have similar goals, whether it’s to become an MD, PA, or PT. Being surrounded by like-minded people who are all working toward careers in healthcare was really important to me. On top of that, the concept of rotations with different providers fosters continuous learning. Every provider has their own style, and working with each one offers new insights, whether it’s how they like injections or how they prefer their patients to be roomed. The providers are also eager to teach as long as you show interest, which creates an environment focused on learning—something I always look for.
3. What were you involved in when you were on campus?
I was involved in SPUD (Student Programs for Urban Development), where I volunteered as a Portuguese translator at a free healthcare clinic in Worcester. I was also a member of the American Medical Student Association (AMSA), Science Ambassadors, XChrom, and Best Buddies.
4. What was your major and how did it affect your career decisions?
I was a biology major, and my interest in the sciences solidified my plans to pursue a career in healthcare and eventually go to medical school. Studying biology gave me a strong foundation in understanding the human body, which directly aligns with my passion for patient care and my long-term goal of becoming a physician. The major also helped me develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills that I now apply in my current role as a medical assistant.
5. What are one or two skills that you developed at Holy Cross that you use in your work?
One of the most valuable skills I developed at Holy Cross was learning how to stay calm when facing something new and unfamiliar, which I gained during my organic chemistry class. Rather than panicking, I learned to trust that I had the tools to figure out a solution. I use this skill all the time now as a medical assistant at BBJI, where I’m constantly faced with new situations and learning opportunities. Even if I haven’t seen a specific situation before, I know I can handle it, whether by checking my Google Drive for information or asking someone with more experience. I always feel confident that the problem can be solved.
6. What advice do you have for students on campus today?
My biggest piece of advice is to not be afraid of failure or making mistakes. When things don’t go as planned, you have two options: 1) you can panic, which might lead to a downward spiral and affect your future performance, or 2) you can reflect on what went wrong, use it as a learning opportunity to address a weakness, and then move forward with the motivation to improve. If you’re making mistakes, it means you’re learning, and that’s the most important part.
