Meet Tayler Mechtel - Alumni Spotlight
Authored By: wells438 01/17/2025Tayler Mechtel ’21
Hometown: Victoria, MN
Major: Health Sciences
Area of Focus: Pre-Med & Patient Care
Taylor Mechtel ‘21 had opportunities to grow as a health care professional as one of her top priorities when choosing UMR. Community and proximity to Mayo Clinic were added bonuses to help her reach her future goals. “I also loved the smaller class sizes and close faculty and student connections. I always felt supported and encouraged to grow as a student and future provider,” shared Mechtel.
Mechtel attributes a blend of courses at UMR focused on mental health and well-being in patients and volunteering within the medical community to helping her become a more well-rounded provider. “As a physician assistant (PA) student pursuing family medicine with an interest in pediatrics, having a deeper understanding of child development and mental health treatment will help me provide well rounded care to my patients. Volunteering in the medical community helped me understand my patients' experiences from their perspective and develop empathy for those I work with.”
Mechtel is currently in her second year of PA school on clinical rotations at Des Moines University. “UMR allowed me to grow as an individual, diversify my experiences and helped me expand my competencies as a provider,” shared Mechtel. She identified Dr. Andrew Petzold and Dr. Xavier Prat-Resina as individuals who greatly impacted her time at UMR along with her student success coach Jenn Hooke.
Learn more about the Pre-Med & Patient Care area of focus at UMR.