RIT physician assistant student finds lifelong inspiration through Camp Good Days volunteer work

Rochester, New York – For many college students, finding a career path can be a journey filled with uncertainty. But for Miriam Rigas, a physician assistant (PA) student at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), her path was illuminated early on through her volunteer work with Camp Good Days and Special Times. The Syracuse, N.Y., native discovered a passion for working with children affected by cancer, shaping not just her education but also her long-term career aspirations.

Rigas first connected with Camp Good Days as a high school junior when she was searching for volunteer opportunities. What started as a way to give back quickly became a defining experience that guided her toward the medical field. Over the years, her involvement grew from participating in monthly activities to assisting with summer camps and eventually taking on a leadership role in the organization’s advisory board. She now helps organize fundraising events, camper activities, and volunteer outreach efforts in the Syracuse area.

“My interactions with the campers are something I hold dearly,” Rigas said. “It shaped what I wanted to do in PA school and the kind of provider I want to be.”

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Camp Good Days provides programs for children battling cancer or those who have a parent or sibling affected by the disease. Through her work with these children, Rigas learned invaluable lessons about resilience, compassion, and the human side of medicine. The experience gave her a deeper understanding of what it means to care for patients beyond just treating their illnesses.

Now in her fifth year at RIT, Rigas has spent the majority of her time in clinical rotations, gaining hands-on experience under the supervision of physicians across various specialties. To complete her degree, she must finish 10 clinical rotations, each lasting five weeks. One of the most impactful rotations she recently completed was in pediatric hematology and oncology at Upstate Medical in Syracuse, further solidifying her desire to specialize in this field.

Pediatric hematology and oncology is a highly specialized area of medicine, and opportunities for new graduates can be competitive. However, Rigas is determined to either enter the field immediately or work her way toward it in the future. One of the advantages of being a PA is the ability to switch specialties without additional recertification, giving her the flexibility to pursue her passion when the right opportunity arises.

“I always knew I wanted to go into medicine,” Rigas said. “I was interested in the science and the disease processes, but I wanted to have a good amount of patient interaction, which landed me perfectly with the PA role.”

Her experience at Camp Good Days has given her something that cannot be taught in a classroom—empathy. Textbooks can outline symptoms, treatment plans, and prognoses, but working directly with young cancer patients has helped Rigas develop a deeper connection to the human side of medicine.

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“At Camp Good Days, you’re working with kids who have been through more than you can even imagine,” she said. “Being able to learn from their resilience and the joy they have for life—despite what’s going on in their situation—it’s just something that I think anyone could benefit from, but especially someone who’s going into the medical field.”

Her interest in the psychosocial impact of childhood cancer extends beyond her volunteer work. For her graduate research project, Rigas explored the long-term emotional and psychological effects of cancer on young survivors. Her project, titled “Psychosocial Outcomes in Childhood Cancer Survivors: Well-being Beyond Medical Treatment,” examined how illness influences self-esteem, relationships, and overall well-being. Earlier this year, she presented her findings at the RIT-Rochester Regional Health Alliance poster session at Rochester General Hospital.

Through her research and hands-on experience, Rigas has developed a strong belief in the power of empathy in patient care. She emphasizes the importance of truly listening to patients, understanding their emotions, and approaching them with compassion rather than pity.

“I think it’s really important to approach people with empathy, not sympathy, to remain present and to listen,” she said. “That’s something Camp Good Days has taught me and that I’ve been able to keep in mind as I have more and more patient interactions and get closer to becoming a provider myself.”

Looking ahead, Rigas is eager to begin her career as a physician assistant, carrying with her the lessons she learned at Camp Good Days. Whether she starts in pediatric oncology right away or transitions into it later, one thing is certain—her experiences with young cancer patients have shaped the kind of medical professional she aspires to be. With her dedication, compassion, and drive, she is poised to make a meaningful impact in the lives of the patients she will serve.