Phoebe Zhang is currently a clinical-year PA student at Long Island University (LIU) in Brooklyn, New York.
Growing up in Belle Mead, New Jersey, Zhang cultivated early passions for science and advocacy. This laid the groundwork for her pursuit of academic excellence and positive social impact. Some of her academic achievements include placing first in a state-level chemistry competition and medaling in multiple Science Olympiad events. Alongside her scientific pursuits, Zhang’s interest in educational equity led her to join a summer program where she studied the various challenges facing urban, suburban, and rural school systems and discussed standardized testing concerns with congressional representatives. Beyond academics and advocacy, Zhang is also an accomplished musician. As a competitive pianist and violinist, she has performed at prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Kaufman Music Center, and toured Europe with her school orchestra. She also volunteered at a soup kitchen, played music for residents at a nearby nursing home, and performed at charity concerts.
In 2020, Zhang completed her undergraduate studies at UC San Diego, where she earned her bachelor of science in human biology and minor in bioethics. During her undergraduate years, Zhang volunteered on several medical mission trips to Mexico with Healing Hearts Across Borders (HHAB) to provide medical care in resource-limited areas. Additionally, she served as Vice President of Project Happiness, a student organization, where she helped organize direct service events for hospitalized children at Rady Children’s Hospital. Her dedication to community service was further evidenced by her work with various organizations, through which she cooked meals for families of patients undergoing long-term care, made holiday cards for elderly residents at a local nursing home, and distributed essentials to individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition to school and volunteering, Zhang worked as a research assistant at Sanford Burnham Prebys (SBP) Medical Discovery Institute, where she used Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to study specific genes and their effects on cardiac fibrosis. For her academic achievements and community leadership, Zhang received five scholarships throughout the course of her undergraduate career.
After graduating from UC San Diego, Zhang was accepted into the Stanford COMET Fellowship, where she scribed in endocrinology and interventional cardiology. During this time, she initiated a successful pilot program with one of the physicians, which helped expand the program by drawing provider interest. Her concurrent research endeavors examining cardio-metabolic effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender women led to co-authored work that was published and presented at both ENDO 2021 and USPATH 2021 Scientific Symposium. Throughout this period, she also worked as an academic tutor and a piano and violin teacher. Following her fellowship, Zhang gained additional experience working in hair transplant surgery and ophthalmology with the goal of broadening her clinical foundation. Eventually, she relocated to her partner’s home state of Hawaii, where she continued preparing for PA school, while immersing herself in the local culture and gaining insight into Hawaii’s specific healthcare challenges.
Recognizing the need for accurate and accessible healthcare information during the pandemic, Zhang founded HowMedWorks.com, a healthcare advocacy website that now reaches thousands of readers every month. On this platform, Zhang writes informational articles on topics ranging from finding a provider to understanding healthcare insurance so readers can better navigate the healthcare system. More recently, she has expanded to include resources for pre-PAs and PA students, including one-on-one coaching services and comprehensive study guides. Ultimately, Zhang strives to increase accessibility to healthcare resources and support future providers by drawing from her unique perspectives as a student, healthcare worker, and patient.
Currently a clinical-year PA student at LIU, Zhang serves as an American Academy of PAs (AAPA) House of Delegates (HOD) Student Delegate, the 2025 PA History Society (PAHx) Student Trustee, and the Student Academy Representative (SAR) for her class. As a Student Delegate, she has authored policy resolutions addressing topics like IUD and contraceptive implant training, robotic surgery, and artificial intelligence. In her role as the PAHx Student Trustee, Zhang interviews and writes biographies of notable individuals to help preserve the history of the PA profession. Finally, as her student society’s SAR, Zhang helps organize class events like participating in PAs on the Plaza during PA Week, volunteering in the NYC Pride March, and attending key conferences. During PA school, she also volunteered as a Stanford COMET PA panelist and personal statement reviewer, as well as an AAPA Pre-PA Virtual Mixer panelist, where she shared insights and advice with aspiring PA students. Zhang’s commitment to excellence has earned her several awards, including the New York State Society of PAs (NYSSPA) PA Student Scholarship and the Lydia K.C. Kauha Memorial Scholarship.
Looking ahead, Zhang plans to pursue both endocrinology and robotic surgery. Her immediate plans for post-graduation involve remaining in New York City to gain clinical experience while increasing her involvement in state-level healthcare advocacy. Eventually, Zhang plans to return home to Hawaii to practice. In her free time, Zhang enjoys reading fantasy and thriller novels, practicing yoga, and trying new restaurants.
Acknowledgements: This biography was prepared by Phoebe Zhang. It was submitted to the Society in February of 2025. The photographs are courtesy of Ms. Zhang.
