Alumni News

IU Spanish Degree Made All the Difference

by Meghan (Matuszak) Lanni, (BA ’04)

I graduated from IU Bloomington in December 2004 earning a Bachelor of Arts with honors in Spanish (with high distinction), and a Bachelor of Science in Biology with general honors and with high distinction.  I have always had a passion for both health and the Spanish language, and aspired to utilize my foreign language skills in a future medical career.

Following graduation, I attended Saint Louis University where I earned a Master of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2008.  I moved back home to southeast Missouri, and worked as a Physician's Assistant (PA) in primary care pediatrics for 3 years. The clinic where I worked served a large Hispanic population; patients would travel specifically to our office just to be able to speak their native language with me or the other Spanish-speaking provider and, thus, feel comfortable during important medical encounters. On any given day, about 75% of the patients I saw spoke and comprehended only Spanish. Already having a solid knowledge base and language proficiency from my IU education, I quickly became fluent in Spanish as I was speaking it for hours every day and was essentially immersed in the culture.

 I thoroughly loved my role as a pediatric PA, but decided I wanted to grow personally and professionally by seeking experience in hospital-based critical care medicine. For the past 3 years I have been working as a PA in Cardiovascular Surgery at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Missouri.  In my current role, I am responsible for the post-operative management of patients undergoing coronary bypass and valve repair/replacement surgeries. This job can be very intense, but it is extremely rewarding to help patients in ways that will vastly improve their quality of living....if not save their lives. Although I haven't needed to utilize my Spanish speaking skills as much in this role, I think this will change as our hospital system expands. It is my ultimate goal to one day teach a course or courses in Spanish for medical professionals.

My IU Spanish degree has tremendously shaped who I am today on both a personal and professional level. On a personal note, my studies have opened my eyes to the science of linguistics, and the processes involved in the acquisition of a language, particularly a second language. This has shaped me into a more thoughtful and analytical person, one who seeks to understand the how's and the why's.  It has also allowed me to be more sensitive to anyone learning a language. Additionally, my Spanish courses instilled in me a thirst for knowledge and discovery for the sake of becoming enlightened, enriched, and well-rounded. I view learning as a fun and exciting puzzle and as each piece comes together the closer I get to the prizes of awareness and comprehension. Certainly, knowing Spanish has also allowed me to meet and befriend people from different walks of life.

On a professional level, my IU degree has allowed me to understand the power of communication, especially where significant factors such as health and well-being are concerned. To be an effective PA, or any medical provider for that matter, one must be able to build a partnership with their patients based on trust; one must achieve good rapport. This can only happen through clear communication and explanation on behalf of the provider, and full understanding and participation on behalf of the patient. Thus, by being fluent in Spanish, I am able to form bonds with many more people who would otherwise feel overwhelmed with fear from lack of understanding.  Knowing Spanish allows me to accurately elicit concerns and symptoms, educate, calm fears, promote healing through motivation, and eventually, as a result, improve outcomes with my Spanish-only speaking patients. Moreover, my IU education has taught me cultural awareness, a necessity for being able to deliver adequate medical care.  By understanding and being sensitive to the beliefs and practices that make up a patient's value system, I can understand the patient as an individual apart from their disease/diagnosis, and therefore treat them accordingly and effectively.

I will forever feel blessed to have been mentored by Professor Kimberly Geeslin during my time at IU. She is a passionate professional who genuinely cares about her students; she loves what she teaches and her spirit is infectious. She was always available to offer help, guidance, and support. She wants to see her students succeed, reach their potential, and follow their aspirations not just during their time at IU but more importantly in life. Professor Geeslin will remain one of my greatest inspirations.