Undergraduate: University of Wisconsin-Madison 
Major: Biology 
Track: EMT 
Future Health Profession: Physician Assistant 
Health Profession School: Duke University 

“I’ve always been fascinated with the sciences—how our body heals and what we as people who study the body can do to aid in the healing process,” said Hunter Aliotti, a graduate of the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program. 

When he first set out to pursue a career in medicine, Hunter didn’t know exactly what the path would look like—only that he wanted to improve health care for underserved communities. 

“I had this idea that being an MD was the best way to achieve my goal,” said Hunter. 

But after two cycles of applying to med school without an acceptance, Hunter began to reconsider what his path in medicine could look like. He turned to advisor Bryelle McRay in the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate Program for direction. She helped him clarify what providing accessible care could look like by introducing him to a range of health professions that aligned with his goals. 

“Bryelle helped me expand my perspective and realize that what’s important is being able to provide healthcare—not the title MD or DO, but what I can do to help people,” he said. 

With more than 11,000 hours of patient care experience and a renewed sense of direction, he’s now preparing to begin Duke University’s Physician Assistant Program. “I don’t know if I would have gone down the PA route if Bryelle didn’t emphasize what’s important to me,” he said. “My trajectory and how I view medicine changed.” 

What first drew you to health care? 

I had a friend in middle school who I played basketball with who had a cardiac event on the basketball court and passed away so young. Thinking about what it means to get proper CPR quickly and using an AED initially sparked my interest in the sciences and medicine. 

Later, when I finished undergrad, I was working in the fast-paced environment of the ER, and I noticed a big discrepancy in how black and brown individuals and people in the LGBTQ community were treated compared to everybody else and the access of care they got. That really propelled my interest further. 

When did you realize that physician assistant was the right choice for you? 

Initially, I was applying to med school and then I thought about DO school. I was struggling with the MCAT and had applied for two cycles already, when Bryelle and I had a heart-to-heart. She said if I wanted to pursue medical school, we could go for one more try, but I needed to think about what was truly important to me at the end of the day. 

I had to harken back to all those experiences—my friend who passed away, my connection with LGBTQ health care, inequalities in the system, treatment of different demographics—and I came to the conclusion that what’s most important to me is being able to provide health care. That’s when Bryelle told me that there are many ways to do that. I could be a nurse, a PA. I could go into pharmacy. 

So, I opened my scope. I found that as a physician assistant, I was still able to do everything I wanted to do. It also offered different advantages than being a physician, like the flexibility to switch between specialties. 

I love the ER, but I don’t know if I could do that for 10 years. As a PA, I would be able to work in different fields and achieve my original goal of learning and helping the medical field in various ways and ensuring people receive the same level of equity in care. 

What motivated you to apply to the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Baccalaureate program? 

I graduated in 2017 from UW–Madison just shy of a 3.0. I knew that it would be a tough GPA to apply to any health professional school, so I decided to get experience. I worked as an ER scribe and a vascular surgery scribe. COVID hit and I wasn’t an essential worker, so I had to pivot. 

That’s when I made a conscious effort to “re-up” my academics and continue coursework through a post-bac. I got into two programs, and I chose UC Davis because it offered more hands-on experience with the EMT license. 

I retook a bunch of courses, like organic chemistry and physics, but also took classes I was interested in, like GI physiology and anatomy. I never took these classes in undergrad, and I fell in love with the body. 

When I graduated from the program with my EMT license, I was able to go back to the same job I had before the pandemic and be an ER tech with a pay increase. This allowed me to put my knowledge into action. That experience helped make me a competitive candidate no matter what route I chose in medicine. 

What stood out to you most about the support you received in the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Bac Program?

I graduated from the program in 2022, and I’ve continued to work with Bryelle. That one-on-one approach and long-standing connection has been invaluable. Throughout the program and the application process, I felt like I was going to get through it no matter what, and that was really helpful. Anybody can put the effort into academics and learning, but sometimes you need advice and somebody to talk to and bounce ideas off of. 

Take us back to the moment you got your acceptance letter. What was going through your mind? 

Up until Duke, I hadn’t had the opportunity to interview, and I always told Bryelle that I just wanted to get in front of somebody. I’m a great communicator. I can create connection and understanding quickly—I think it’s from working in the ER for so long. 

When I got the opportunity to interview, I was ready. I prepared a ton with Bryelle and practiced with the doctors and PAs at work. I got waitlisted—number 14. I tried not to get my hopes up and had been telling my coworkers that I needed to follow up to let Duke University know how interested I was. 

The day I heard back, I was on shift with a patient when I found out. When I stepped away into the elevator and checked my email, I started crying. It was serendipitous to get the news at the spot where I’ve been learning beyond academics. I called my mom and dad right away, crying. 

The ER erupted with congratulations. One of the doctors I’ve worked with since I was a scribe said she was proud of me and that my life in medicine could truly begin. That hit me. 

What surprised you most about your post-bac experience? 

When I started the Post-Bac Program, I thought I was just retaking courses and paying extra for a little more advising, but it was way more than that. I’ve been able to work with Bryelle for three-plus years beyond graduating. I’ve been able to utilize my EMT license to recertify and continue. 

I’ve made friends whom I’m able to bounce things off of and learn from their journeys. It was invaluable. 

How did the program change you academically, professionally and personally? 

Academically, it gave me the opportunity to learn about more subject areas and expand my interests, which opened my eyes to different specialties I can work in. 

Professionally, it allowed me to get my EMT license—putting everything I’ve been learning into practice. 

Personally, the program gave me the perspective to think beyond MD or DO. I don’t think I would have even considered becoming a PA if I hadn’t had that tough heart-to-heart conversation with Bryelle. And this path will give me the flexibility to not only to work in different specialties more easily, but to also pursue other things that I want out of life. I’m 31 and about to start PA school, but I also know I want a family. This path will allow me to practice medicine and balance what I want out of my personal life, too. 

What advice would you give to someone considering the post-bac program? 

Go through the motions and emotions and have an open mind. Your goal can change over time—it can be flexible. Really utilize everything the program has to offer. Don’t be afraid to communicate with your advisors. They’re there to help. I wouldn’t have found the route I found or pieced together who I want to be as a future medical provider without that advice. You don’t need to go through this alone. 

You need to figure out what’s important to you, and the UC Davis Health Professions Post-Bac Program can help with that.