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Peer Advocate Program

Overview

The Peer Advocates program was created to provide students with non-threatening peer listeners who are available at any time of day or night, to confidentially discuss strategies, reality-test, brainstorm solutions when encountered with challenging personal, academic, or professional situations and point students in the direction of appropriate resources.

Meet Your Peer Advocates

We are PA students chosen for qualities such as approachability, trustworthiness, maturity, thoughtfulness, and discernment. These attributes enable us to serve as attentive listeners and trusted confidants. Our role is to support our fellow students throughout PA school.

Peer Advocates (by chronological year)

  • Class of 2024

    My name is Isabel Bautista and I am a second year PA student from Natick, MA. I studied Health Sciences at Gettysburg College and earned a graduate certificate in exercise science from Northeastern University. I spent my gap years working as a PCT in the PACU in Boston and volunteering with Crisis Text Line as a counselor. I also have a passion for medical education and serve as a student representative on the Education, Policy, and Curriculum Committee. When I am not studying, you can find me enjoying the outdoors, trying new foods, cheering on Boston sports teams, or spending time with my classmates. I am happy to talk though academic struggles, surviving clinical year, long distance relationships, or anything else you can think of. I am always open for a chat on the phone, over text, or in-person, so please feel free to reach out anytime.

  • Class of 2024

    Hi, I'm Joe Kruk, a PA-S3 originally from New York. I studied biochemistry at SUNY New Paltz before coming to Yale. My professional background includes working as a transcranial magnetic stimulation coordinator at a psychiatric clinic, a project manager at Epic, and a CNA at a nursing home. I believe in the power of a strong community and hope to support my fellow students as we navigate the myriad challenges of PA school together.

    My passions lie in emergency medicine, global health, and medical education, and I aspire to build a career that blends all three. Outside of my studies, I enjoy traveling, hiking, scuba diving, CrossFit, and spending time with my adorable pets and wonderful partner, Chloe.

    If you'd ever like to chat?or pet my dog or cat?

    Please don't hesitate to reach out.

  • Class of 2025

    Hello! Bonjour! Namaste! My name is Bri Yeskey, and I am a Physician Associate (PA) student originally from Detroit. I went to college at the University of Michigan where I studied anthropology, French, and Hindi. After graduating, I taught English in India as a Fulbright Fellow. Within YSM, I conduct research on the intersection of eating disorders and LGBTQ+ youth. In my free time, you can find me at the gym training for my next powerlifting meet, or in the gardens tending to my dahlias. I also love roller skating, running, walking in nature (I guess some people call it 'hiking'), skiing, solo traveling, thrifting/estate sales, and my cats--Gogo and Junie. You are absolutely welcome to call or text me at any time of the day, sunup or sundown. I’m here for you.