Today we’d like to introduce you to Madison Dye.
Hi Madison, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Life truly is a journey. It looks different for everyone and I think that is truly beautiful. My journey has been unique, and I’m proud of it because I think it made me who I am. I have always had a strong love and passion for healthcare. It is where I feel like I belong. When I first started on this path, I thought I wanted to pursue nursing. I enrolled in an associate-level program at 19, excited and eager. So when I failed out one semester away from graduating, I was devastated. Failure was not something I was used to. I made it my goal to learn the lessons failure had taught me and then picked myself back up and kept going. I then transferred to an HBCU in Huntsville, AL, Oakwood University. I learned so many life lessons while here. I will always emphasize the importance of an HBCU education as a black female. While I was enrolled here, I began pursuing my goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. I graduated college in 2024. I applied to PA school in one cycle but was not accepted to any schools. When I graduated, I applied in the cycle once again. However, I again wasn’t accepted into any schools. Failure once again. But i was still learning that failure in my eyes was God’s redirection to what He had in store for me. I was doing research one day looking for more clincial options that I could pursue with my degree in biology. That’s when I discovered the profession of Surgical Assistant. I immediately knew this was where I meant to be. It was honestly like the doors flew open. The application process was seamless; I interviewed and was accepted! I am now in the clinical phase of my 2-year master’s program. While my journey was long and filled with failures and turns, I would not change my path for the world.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I would say I faced my fair share of obstacles and challenges. From failing out of nursing to not getting accepted into PA school to not even having the best undergraduate GPA. The path was definitely not smooth or easy. But it was my path. My story. The biggest thing I have learned in this life is to live with no regrets. I don’t regret one single thing. I learned so many life lessons about myself, and every challenge played a vital part in who I am today.
Even in my personal life. It took me a long time to realize that what I considered my biggest weaknesses were actually my biggest strengths. I learned from a young age that I love with my soul. I see the good in people, and I care very deeply. It took time to learn to love myself and know I deserve good things.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am currently a student getting my master’s in surgical assisting from Eastern Virginia Medical School at Old Dominion University. For those who don’t know, we work alongside the surgeon during surgery. From dissection to retraction to suturing, we play an essential role in assisting the surgeon and ensuring the procedure goes smoothly. We are also trained in all areas from Vascular, to Orthopedics to general surgery. This is the only master’s level program in the country.
What are your plans for the future?
Future plans would be to graduate. Find a job that makes me feel alive and allows me to give back. I want to travel and learn about different cultures. I truly want to make a difference and leave my mark on the world. I think part of me is still waiting to see what that one thing that will define me will be. I would say the past 6 years of my life have been about growing and expanding who I am, and seeing what I am meant to do. I am unbelievably excited to see where this life takes me!
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