When Sylvie Hang graduated with her Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree on Aug. 16, it was the end of a long difficult road, but Hang isn’t one to complain or explain.
PA Program Chairperson Amy Dereczyk chose Hang to receive the chairperson’s award. She was chosen in part for her remarkable work in the classroom and for other work done. A dental hygienist, Hang was selected to lead a team of PA students, medical students and dental students to Washington, D.C. to develop and implement an oral health program in Detroit. The student-driven project involved two Universities and several programs.
Dereczyk asked Hang’s husband, Tong, for some background information about his wife and he gave her a letter that brought tears to the eyes of many people graduating that day.
See for yourself:
“For every journey, the toughest obstacle is to start it. When Sylvie told me that she was pursuing PA school, a lot of things ran through my head. How on Earth were we going to make this work? She was already juggling being a dental hygienist working at two different dental offices, and raising five girls (ranging ages from 3-14). It seemed absolutely crazy, but I knew that if I could put money on anyone, it would be Sylvie.
“She received her letter of acceptance into the Physician Assistant School at the University of Detroit Mercy with an air of determination that was unwavering. The hard schedule of school, work and family can throw an individual off from obtaining their overall goal, but not Sylvie. If anything, it fueled her, and she has proven that you have to be determined in order to reach your final destination. She has demonstrated that hard work and passion to a purpose can overcome any obstacles thrown to you.
“This woman never complained or regretted anything throughout this journey, nor did she ever not show her compassion for her fellow students. Many of you will remember Sylvie from school as the most determined, hardworking, dedicated, and soft-hearted student she has come to be known as. But to the girls and I, she will always be mom. I have no idea how she balanced her home life, school life, and work life, because at that time our daughters were each at a different school, and we all had our own different schedules. Of course, it was hard to rearrange and adjust everything, but she made it work, and never failed on either ends.
“Sylvie welcomed the challenge of being a student, employee, and a mom with open arms. As of right now, I think that my daughters and I can agree that she can accomplish anything. We have never been more proud of her, and we know that there are so many more things to come. Thank you all so much for being a part of her journey, and for recognizing her effort of persistence. It has been a crazy adventure for all of us, but we have only just begun.”
Hang, however, says she knew what to expect: “I knew the program itself was going to be very rigorous and wasn’t expecting to be catered to,” she said. “It was a big challenge. It was busy, but life still goes on. Sleep was definitely not my friend, so I’m lucky I am able to function on just a little sleep.”
The clinical rotations, sometimes 12 hours a day or longer and six days a week, also took their toll, but Hang had her eyes on the prize.
“This is not a program you go into unprepared,” she said. “You have to be willing to work.”
Hang also appreciated the way the PA faculty — especially Professor of Biology Greg Grabovski — and staff worked with the students.
“They were always very, very caring and asked about the children, and if one of them was sick they would ask if I would rather be at home,” she said. “I can’t say how much I appreciate the support of the faculty and staff. You aren’t just a number here. You are someone. I am very grateful for the award and the support of my family, my classmates and the PA faculty.”
Hang is currently interviewing for positions.
