Learning That Lasts: How the Institutes Shape College Success, with Serena Diliberto '21

Perkiomen School’s Institutes are designed to prepare students for what comes next, at the university level and beyond. In this blog series, we hear directly from Perkiomen alumni who are now studying in fields aligned with their Institute experience, as they reflect on how hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world problem solving shaped their transition to college and continue to influence their academic journeys today.

Serena Diliberto '21 is enrolled at Drexel University in the BS/MHS Physician Assistant Bridge Program. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in June 2025 and is on track to graduate from the Physician Assistant program in December 2026.

In her clinical year of Physician Assistant (PA) school, which Diliberto shares has been an incredibly rewarding phase of her education, she has the opportunity to rotate through eight different medical specialties, each lasting five weeks, allowing her to fully immerse herself in diverse clinical environments. "I have especially enjoyed applying the knowledge and skills I’ve developed in the classroom to the care of real patients," says Diliberto.

Diliberto's career goal is to become a Neurosurgery PA. During her general surgery rotation, she discovered a strong appreciation for the fast-paced, collaborative atmosphere of the operating room and is excited for her upcoming neurosurgery rotation.  

The Medical Institute was something that initially drew Diliberto to Perkiomen School and then helped confirm that medicine was the path she wanted to take after graduation. 

"From the time I was in middle school, I knew I was passionate about the medical field and serving others," she shares. "This institute played a significant role in solidifying my desire to go into the medical field and providing invaluable exposure beyond the classroom for which I am so grateful for. The institute helped confirm my interest in healthcare because I was always excited to learn more or experience something new at a workshop. I always wanted to immerse myself into the field and take it all in. Medicine ignites a passion and makes me hopeful to use the knowledge that I’m learning to serve others."

At Perkiomen, pre-professional exploration through external experiences or workshops allow young people to try different aspects of a medical or scientific career while in high school, where the risks are lower and while they are developing their own interests and learning about their strengths. 

"All of the workshops I was able to participate in through the Medical Institute were beneficial including the suturing, casting, and anesthesiology workshops, to name a few," says Diliberto. "A workshop at the Venel Institute was especially unique because we had the opportunity to gain exposure working with cadavers as high school students. The particular workshop I went to at the Venel institute was focused on the brain and spine, which only furthered my desire to work in the field of neurosurgery."

While many schools offer electives, few provide students the opportunity to truly specialize, explore potential career paths, and experience the work required to pursue them. Through a research-based capstone project, Perkiomen’s Medical Institute challenges students to engage deeply with the field and develop skills that mirror real-world medical study and practice.

"One aspect of my Institute experience that I did not fully appreciate at the time, but now see as invaluable, was the opportunity to develop and conduct my own research project," says Diliberto. "Completing a capstone project taught me how to effectively search for, evaluate, and interpret scientific literature, as well as how to synthesize evidence and communicate findings through academic writing. Research is incredibly important in the medical field, as medicine is constantly evolving, and it is crucial to be able to identify existing literature and accurately interpret data. Throughout both my undergraduate and graduate programs, research has emerged repeatedly as a foundational component of my studies. As I begin the early stages of my graduate project in PA school, I already recognize how beneficial this early exposure has been, providing me with practical strategies, confidence, and a strong framework for navigating graduate-level research."

My experience at Perkiomen helped me enter college feeling more confident by allowing me to grow both academically and personally. I was encouraged to explore my passions and interests more deeply, whether it was in the classroom, on the field, or in the theater, while being consistently supported by faculty who believed in me. Perkiomen pushed me outside of my comfort zone, helping me develop independence, resilience, and self-confidence which all made the transition to college feel both manageable and exciting.       -- Serena Diliberto '21

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