Jessie Tharp’s (’17) Work in Malignant Hematology at Moffitt Cancer Center
April 13, 2026 | 2 min read
Jessie Tharp (‘17) arrived at Florida College in 2013 with a clear goal: to pursue a degree in music education, a field she had been passionate about throughout high school. After her first semester, however, a winter break shadowing experience with a physician assistant prompted her to reconsider her direction. It quickly became clear she wanted to move into the medical field.
When she returned to campus, Tharp began reshaping her academic plan. With guidance from her advisor, Todd Chandler, she found a way to continue her music degree while also completing the prerequisite coursework needed for physician assistant (PA) school.
“Todd Chandler spent so much time meeting with me,” Tharp recalled. “We went over my schedule a million times to see what the best career path would look like and how to make the classes work. He was always so helpful.”
After graduating in 2017, Tharp gained valuable patient care experience before beginning PA school at the University of South Florida in 2019. During that time, she lived with Lee and Annetta Hastings—a relationship that began during her years at Florida College and continued to grow.
“The Hastings became like family to me,” Tharp said. “That’s probably the most special thing about Florida College. You meet people who don’t just influence you, they become a part of your life.”
Following her graduation from PA school in 2021, Tharp joined Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, where she now works in inpatient malignant hematology, caring for patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. In addition to her clinical responsibilities, she serves in a supervisory role, balancing patient care with leadership on her team.
While her work can be demanding, it is also deeply rewarding. Tharp finds meaning not only in the care she provides to patients but also in the relationships she builds with her colleagues. Last year, her coworkers nominated her for a healthcare innovation award—an honor she went on to receive.
Looking back, Tharp sees both the value of careful planning and the importance of trust.
“I tend to plan everything out,” she said, “but when I look back, it’s amazing how much fell into place. I realize God’s plan was working all along.”
For students considering a similar direction, Tharp offers simple yet meaningful advice: keep God at the center of your decisions and place yourself in environments where you can succeed spiritually. She also encourages students to take advantage of the Florida College network, noting how willing alumni are to offer guidance and support.
Today, Tharp does the same—answering calls, offering advice, and helping the next generation navigate their own decisions. Her willingness to invest in others reflects the same care and encouragement she received during her time at Florida College, continuing a cycle of mentorship that has shaped her story from the beginning.