Courtesy RMU

Garrett Parry’s unorthodox path to a career as a physician assistant, or PA, became humorously apparent during the interview process for graduate school at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, or RMU, a few years ago.

After others introduced themselves and listed off their traditional pre-med majors — biology, neuroscience, chemistry, etc. — he captured everyone’s attention when he shared his undergrad focus.

Turns out, Parry was the only person in the room full of future PA students with a finance degree.

“Everyone kind of turned around and looked at me,” said the Brigham Young University alumnus, laughing. “One of the faculty said, ‘Are you sure you’re in the right place?'”

Parry, who grew up in Salem, took the playful comment in stride. While working on a finance degree as an undergrad — graduating summa cum laude, no less — he’d decided that he’d prefer a health care career. So, yes, he was now definitely in the right place.

Courtesy RMU

The life-changing choice has paid off for Parry, who’s wrapping up his clinical rotations this summer.

He is on track to graduate from RMU in August while simultaneously earning two advanced degrees — a Master of Medical Science and a Doctor of Medical Science. He has multiple job offers (as a PA, mind you). He was also recently recognized as the Best College Student by Utah’s prestigious Best of State awards program.

“I genuinely really enjoyed finance, but I didn’t know if I wanted to be at a computer for 40 years,” Parry said. “Medicine is the ultimate people job, right? You’re connecting with people. You’re seeing people vulnerable and in tough situations. You’re hopefully intervening in a way that’s making them feel better. That’s fulfilling and doesn’t get old.”

Parry has enjoyed the career shift, which began when he spent an additional year at BYU to earn required prerequisites in advanced science coursework. Through classroom and clinical experiences, RMU’s PA track prepares students for a wide variety of healthcare specialties — from pediatrics, women’s health and cardiology to mental health.

Most of his rotations were in Utah — between Utah County and Price. But for his five-week-long emergency medicine rotation, Parry hauled his parents’ trailer down to Globe, Arizona. He camped in a trailer park to save money while working in the small mining town east of Phoenix and occasionally flew up to spend time with his wife and young kids in Provo on extended breaks.

Parry, a first-generation college graduate, enjoyed learning about the various areas of the PA profession during his eight clinical rotations, but he ultimately decided to pursue family medicine.

“Even though I’m finishing school, there’s still so much to learn,” he said. “Medicine is a lifelong pursuit. In family medicine, you see a big spectrum of stuff.”

It has all been part of an interesting experience for a motivated man who found ways to balance his young family and educational responsibilities. Parry credits his wife, Abbee, for being the glue of the family, which allowed him to pursue multiple college degrees.

“She gives me all the support all the time,” he said. “None of this would have happened without her in my life. She’s motivating. I’ve never had to worry about the kids or anything like that, and she’s my number one fan.”

Though nobody will challenge Abbee for that No. 1 spot in his fan club, it’s easy to become an admirer of Parry. He’s affable and approachable, committed and caring, humble and hard-working, and he is a mentor with a service-oriented mindset.

Since his high school days at Salem Hills High School, Parry has made efforts to positively impact his communities. He spent more than 200 hours volunteering at a food pantry in Spanish Fork. He helped tutor high school students with emotional and mental health challenges while going to school and then after returning from a two-year, service-oriented mission in Japan for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He’s also willingly assisted other PA students at RMU while continuing his tradition of earning a perfect 4.0 GPA in college.

Parry felt like he received more from serving others than what he gave. It is humbling for him to help lift spirits and lighten loads.

“It blew me away, the need, like in a community I’ve lived in for 24 years,” he said. “I thought food pantries were for inner-city homeless, but there are families everywhere who need help.”

Parry is the second consecutive RMU student to earn Best of State honors, following in the footsteps of Kirsten Thornhill, who earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Health Sciences degree in April 2024.

Rocky Mountain University was also recognized with Best of State awards for Best Curriculum Development (Occupational Therapy) and Best University Administrator (RMU President Cameron K. Martin, a two-time winner).

“I’ve been fortunate to do really well in school. I stand on the shoulders of a lot of great people who helped me unlock success, whether in finance or switching to science and medicine,” Parry said. “This award is a testament to the support, motivation and love I’ve gotten from those who want to see me succeed, like my wife, professors and mentors.”

Though he’s now happily in the PA world, Parry values the time he spent learning about assets and amortization before focusing on acute care and anatomy.

“My finance degree made me different. It gave me a unique perspective, and I think it helped me stand out in my PA school application,” he said. “Medicine is a business too, and that background will always be part of what I do.”

Jody Genessy is the senior content writer for Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions.