Restoring Blood Flow, Saving Lives

“In vascular surgery, you often see patients when they’re facing serious conditions,” said Kazmi, a member of the university’s inaugural PA class. “Being part of a team that can restore circulation and improve a patient’s outcome is incredibly meaningful.”

Kazmi helps manage patients throughout their hospital course, from the floor to the operating room. Her role includes assisting in procedures, monitoring recovery, and coordinating care with surgeons and the care team. Some cases involve traditional open surgery, while others rely on endovascular techniques using catheters and wires to restore blood flow through small incisions.

“We do a lot of endovascular procedures,” Kazmi said. “They’re less invasive and allow patients to recover more quickly while improving outcomes.”

Kazmi first encountered vascular surgery during a cardiothoracic-vascular surgery rotation while she was a student in the Touro University Illinois physician assistant program. The rotation placed her on a vascular surgery team treating patients with complex circulatory diseases.

“There’s a lot of critical thinking involved,” she said. “You’re constantly evaluating what’s happening with the patient and determining the next plan of action.”

In addition, clinical rotations exposed her to several specialties, including internal medicine, family medicine, emergency medicine, behavioral medicine, women’s health, surgery, pediatrics, and various surgical subspecialties. However, the cardiothoracic-vascular surgery rotation stood out the most for its wide range of cases and team-based environment. The mix of high-acuity, critical situations and more complex chronic conditions made it especially exciting and rewarding.

Kazmi, who grew up in the Chicago suburbs, earned a bachelor’s degree in biological sciences with honors from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2019. She later completed a master’s degree in biomedical sciences from Midwestern University before enrolling in the physician assistant program at Touro University Illinois, graduating in 2025 as part of the program’s inaugural class.

She said the physician assistant profession appealed to her because of its collaborative nature and the role physician assistants can play in expanding access to care.

“Physician assistants help bridge gaps in healthcare,” Kazmi said. “You’re able to work closely with patients while also being part of a larger team.”

Giving back to the community was also an important part of her upbringing. Growing up, Kazmi volunteered with her family at food drives, local kitchens, and other initiatives that supported people in need.

“My parents valued kindness and helping others,” she said. “Volunteering at these events was something we did often as a family.”

Those experiences helped shape her perspective about patient care. “Being able to make an impact on someone’s life during a vulnerable time is what makes the work fulfilling,” Kazmi said.

Patients treated by vascular teams often present with a range of circulatory conditions, including peripheral arterial disease, carotid artery disease, aortic aneurysms, blood clots, and critical limb ischemia.

“You’re wearing a lot of different hats,” Kazmi said. “PA school gives you the foundation, but practicing medicine teaches you how to make decisions in real life and adapt to complex situations.”

While at Touro, Kazmi also took on leadership roles in the inaugural class. She served as co-president of the Class of 2025, participated in the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants as a student liaison, and served on the School of Health Sciences dean’s advisory board.

Being part of the program’s first class meant working closely with faculty as the program continued to develop.

“We built really strong relationships with the faculty,” Kazmi said. “They were invested in helping us succeed and building a foundation for lifelong learning and collaboration in medicine.”

Kazmi continues to advocate for the profession and mentor future PA students. She participates in events organized by the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants and returns to Touro to speak with incoming students during orientation.

“PA school is challenging, but also incredibly rewarding,” she tells incoming students. “Stay curious and never stop asking questions.”

She encourages students to fully engage in their clinical rotations and seek insight from all members of the healthcare team.

“Use each rotation to expand your perspective,” Kazmi said. “Everyone around you has something valuable to offer.”

For Kazmi, the work ultimately comes back to the same purpose that led her into medicine.

“Being a PA means combining clinical knowledge with compassion and helping patients feel supported and cared for when they need it the most,” she said. “Every day you have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.”