Students donned their white coats on stage, and upon return to their seats the group stood and recited the Hippocratic Oath for the first time together, led by Allison Phillips PA-C.

The Division of Physician Assistant Studies looks forward to seeing the great things each cohort will accomplish both during their time at ������ and upon entering the workforce.

Espinoza chose to pursue physician assistant studies as the next step in her career because her experience working with the physician assistants in active duty taught her much about teamwork; she also appreciated the job flexibility and how PAs coordinate with various providers on an interprofessional team. The ������ PA program’s mission, commitment to the veteran community and focus on rural healthcare were motivating factors in Alyssa’s decision to study at ������.

The exemplary feedback Epinoza received from the VA Hospital underscores her dedication and skill, reflecting her seamless transition from military to medical environments. For other veterans eyeing a healthcare career, Espinoza’s journey offers valuable insights into leveraging military experience in a PA program or other medical field. Her story not only highlights her personal achievements but also serves as an inspiration for future students.

Jose Diaz-Perez: Kenan Physician Assistant Educational Enhancement Fund

Jose Diaz-Perez was awarded the Kenan Physician Assistant Educational Enhancement Fund, a scholarship that aims to fund rural health initiatives in the state of North Carolina by increasing community outreach for primary care. Diaz-Perez’s goal is to become a certified Physician Assistant and after graduating from the program, he hopes to return to his hometown and serve predominantly migrant farmworkers and individuals with limited financial resources.

“As a first-generation college student, male, and Latino, I know that my identity carries a heavy burden, but one I am proud to carry,” said Diaz-Perez. “With limited cultural representation in the profession, I know I will make a positive impact in healthcare and my community.”

The scholarship will allow Diaz-Perez to fund his education, which will make the possibility of working with rural and under-resourced communities more accessible for him post-graduation.

Nyah Townsend: Loyalty Medical Foundation Fund

Nyah Townsend was awarded the Loyalty Medical Foundation Fund, a scholarship given to a ������ PA Program student or students to support financial need and alignment with the ������ PA Program mission. Townsend’s goal of working in rural communities in primary care/family medicine, as she grew up in a rural community and believes that people in those communities deserve quality healthcare.

“Being a lifelong North Carolinian, and a soon to be a double Tar Heel, North Carolina is my home. My plan is to stay here for the bulk of my career and serve the people of the state,” said Townsend. “I hope to do this through practicing medically, being a resource to future clinicians, and advocating for the health of North Carolinians, especially rural North Carolinians.”

Alyssa Espinoza: Smith Family Scholarship for Veterans

Alyssa Espinoza was awarded the Smith Family Scholarship for Veterans, a scholarship that is awarded from the Eddie and Jo Allison Smith Family to former Special Forces Medics and other medically-trained veterans.

“Whether it’s advocating for marginalized communities, vulnerable populations, or individuals facing systemic barriers, I hope to be a vocal and proactive advocate for all,” said Espinoza. “This includes staying informed about social determinants of health and actively working towards eliminating health inequities within the community.”

Anjolie Kue: Alice McCaffrey Memorial Scholarship

Anjolie Kue was awarded the Alice McCaffrey Memorial Scholarship, which is given to a ������ PA Program preclinical or clinical phase student to promote diversity in the physician assistant field and increase awareness of the physician assistant profession.

Kue hopes to spread awareness of the health disparities in the Hmong population in hopes of minimizing the barriers of care that exist not only for Hmong people, but for other minorities and underserved communities in North Carolina.

As the oldest child, Kue has been the first when it comes to many endeavors. “This dream and all the goals that have preceded and will follow it, is not mine alone. This is the dream of my parents, my grandparents, and our ancestors before them. I am proud and honored to be able to carry this dream and any scholarship awarded will be going towards supporting and helping this dream come true.”

Each student within the ������ PA program brings unique gifts, backgrounds and goals to the classroom and clinic, and their impact on their communities following their time in the program will be significant.

“I was initially going to school to study civil engineering but found that it wasn’t a right fit for me at that time. I decided to make a change, and I enlisted in the Navy,” said Wiley. “Military service had always interested me, and I wanted to explore the world. The military provided a great opportunity in that I could see countries and do things that aren’t available otherwise.”

After being assigned to Fort Liberty and spending a month at the Jaycee Burn Center, Wiley had an amazing experience and felt supported by his colleagues. He decided to pursue a career in healthcare, and ������’s PA program was his first choice based on his experiences.

The ������ Physician Assistant Studies Program was founded in partnership and agreement with Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Liberty, and the program has a long history of coordination with the military. The program encourages veterans from all areas of the U.S. Armed Forces to apply, with special admissions preference given to veterans who served in a medical capacity in the military, particularly Special Forces and Special Operations Medics.

Though the two-year program was intense, Wiley enjoyed the environment that promoted answering questions and exploring medicine. “You have the time to be curious. Working as a PA is time-consuming and it can be hard to find the time to study or learn,” he said. “Being in the PA program meant being in a place where you have time to ask questions and access experts who could answer them.”

After graduating from the program, Wiley applied to an opening at the Jaycee Burn Center and has been there since. He explains, “I enjoyed the burn specialty during my time in the military and it’s an area I continue to find fulfillment working in.”

After working at the Jaycee Burn Center, Wiley made his return to the PA program to teach the next generation of physician assistants. “While I was in the military I was an instructor at the Special Operations Combat Medic course for four years,” he said.  “I found education to be fun and challenging, and the students there were incredibly motivated and dedicated. No matter how much knowledge you have, students will always find questions to ask that make you step back and say ‘I don’t know.’ It’s a challenge that forces you to be a better provider in order to be a better instructor. I enjoyed that environment and is why I always hoped I could return to education.”

Wiley shares advice for other nontraditional students, particularly veterans, as they consider pursuing further education in physician assistant studies or another health sciences profession.

“There is an old saying in the military about proper planning leading to a desired outcome and it would apply to this as well,” he said. “Figure out what you want to do, and anticipate it taking years to complete, but potentially years to set up. Have a plan with backups because goals and opportunities change over time.”

He also encourages veterans to explore the resources that are available for transitioning out of the military. There are many programs both on and outside of ������’s campus to assist veterans during this stressful time of change.

At the close of 2023, 17 students graduated from the Physician Assistant program with a Master of Health in Physician Assistant Studies. In a ceremony hosted on Friday, December 8 at Moeser Auditorium, students were celebrated for their hard work and accomplishments during their two years in the program.

Dr. Meg Zomorodi, Associate Provost for Interprofessional Health Initiatives and professor in ������’s School of Nursing, served as the keynote speaker and shared valuable insight into the important roles physician assistants play in the interprofessional health care setting.

Following remarks from class president Mike Holsten, each student received his or her hood, and PA program faculty announced award recipients.

The graduation ceremony concluded with a reception for graduates and their loved ones.

Class of 2025 Recognized at Annual White Coat Ceremony

As one class concluded their time in the ������ PA program, another was just beginning. The class of 2025 kicked off their studies in January 2024 and participated in the program’s annual White Coat Ceremony on February 2 in the MBRB Auditorium. Keynote speaker Matt Fram, PA-C, a class of 2020 alumnus of the program, shared insight into the various uses for and meanings of the white coat as one progresses through his or her career as a physician assistant.

Students donned their white coats on stage, and upon return to their seats the group stood and recited the Hippocratic Oath for the first time together, led by PA program faculty.

The Division of Physician Assistant Studies looks forward to seeing the great things each cohort will accomplish both during their time at ������ and upon entering the workforce.

“I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to step into this role and look forward to this new phase of the ������ PA Program as we continue to uphold our mission to improve access to healthcare for North Carolinians,” said Hanlon.

Hanlon has worked in inpatient and outpatient emergency medicine, surgery, and cardiac intensive care during the course of her career. As an assistant professor, she served as the course director for the three medical units first-year PA students work through during their pre-clinical phase, and she teaches the cardiology unit. Her leadership experiences through teaching and clinical work have contributed to Hanlon’s ability to support the program through a new phase in its 10-year history, which includes its recent first-time ranking within the top 50 physician assistant programs in the country, according to U.S. News and World Report.

The Division of Physician Assistant Studies is currently focused on continuing to ensure quality medical education for all learners while working to fully explore opportunities that will enable the division to fully recognize its mission.

“Although Katie has been serving admirably in the Interim Program Director role for the past seven months, I want to officially welcome Katie into the fold as the permanent director as we move into the future,” said Dr. Stephen Hooper, Associate Dean of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Health Sciences. “We are extremely fortunate to have Katie assume this leadership role during a critical time of transition and future growth for the PA Program. Moving toward a PA-led program is in accordance with recent changes in the PA accreditation standards, and we are fortunate to have Katie on our team to lead this important educational initiative for the Department, School of Medicine, the broader university, and the state.”

The program will celebrate its sixth graduating class in December. The past several graduating classes have logged a 100% first-time board pass rate, and the program continues to align its admissions process holistically to be centered on the competencies of the PA profession – a standard that has yielded much success.

Hanlon graduated from ������-Chapel Hill with a BS in Biology in 2006. She earned a Masters of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University, Downers Grove, in 2009.

The ������ PA program is currently accepting applications for its January 2025 class. Applications are due October 1, 2023.

The program enrolled its first class in January 2016 and received continued accreditation status on an 8-year review cycle in 2022. The past five graduating classes have averaged a 96 percent pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), which is two points higher than the national average.

Katie Hanlon, MMS, PA-C (’06), was selected as Director of the Division of Physician Assistant Studies in June 2023 after serving in an Interim Director role for six months. The program is poised for continued growth as it welcomes three new faculty this fall and its incoming class in January 2024.

The class of 2022 and their guests were welcomed by Chileatha Wynn, Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor.

Dr. Jonathon Heath, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, served as the guest speaker for the ceremony. He shared three pieces of advice with the group. First, show kindness, empathy and grace in all you do. Second, you can be serious and silly simultaneously – laughter is often the best medicine and bringing your personality to your patients can help build empathy. Third, never lose your drive to learn – you grow by pushing yourself.

Devin Dukes, a graduate and PA Program Student Society President, reflected on his time in the program and shared memories of his classmates including the blood drive they hosted, participating in the department talent show and volunteering with SHAC – the Student Health Action Coalition. “Excelling can sometimes feel impossible, but this program taught us to persevere, try hard, be humble, and be the best version of ourselves,” said Dukes.

Following the speakers, awards were distributed and degrees were awarded. Student and faculty awards included:

• Honors with Distinction:  Mattie Price, Elise Kidder, Katharine Franz, Audrey Howarth, Stephanie Dawson
• “Making a Difference” Award:  Madison Jacobson
• Inaugural Evidence Based Medicine Award:  James Forest Griffin
• Excellence in Education Award:    Kunal Patel, MD
• Preceptor of the Year Award:   Aaron Peterson, PA-C

Jason Hrdina, Director of Evaluation and Assessment and Associate Professor, gave closing remarks and encouraged the class of 2022 to not be afraid of failure and to always keep learning.

The luncheon was held at The Friday Center and included lunch, icebreakers, guest speakers and time for mentors and mentees to get to know each other.

Chileatha Wynn, Director of Clinical Education and Assistant Professor for the PA program kicked off the gathering with an introduction of the mentorship program. She shared that the idea started from conversations with students about their experiences in physician assistant spaces and some of the challenges underrepresented students have faced in classroom and clinical settings.

“Our hope is this program will establish connections so you can get advice from people who have also overcome these challenges,” said Wynn. “Our goals are connection, support and community.”

Sharonda Jackson, a 2021 graduate of the PA program, spoke to the group about her personal experience as a nontraditional student – she started PA school at age 45. “Everyone in this room has earned their position,” said Jackson. “You’re here to help us build a better healthcare system because of your background, experiences and challenges. It’s an opportunity to turn those challenges into tools to serve your patients.”

Dr. Stephen Hooper, Associate Dean of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Health Sciences, noted that out of more than 700 complete applications, only 20 people were selected to be a part of the incoming class. From there, 50-70 percent of the incoming class is considered diverse in its various definitions. “We’ve been waiting for you,” said Hooper. “You’ve set the bar high and are the most diverse group of PA students and any group of students within our department. We’re proud of the PA program for getting the best of the best – you.”

Hooper noted that a diverse student population better mimics North Carolina’s population, which makes for better patient care and perspective.

The PA program offers a variety of resources and support to students, and these were introduced during the gathering. Donna Murray represented the PA Education Association and told students to “remember your why,” especially when challenges arise within the program.

Dr. Kunal Jakharia, an Assistant Professor of Medicine who works with PA students during their time in the program, shared a message of “unity in diversity” – a concept that is embraced in his home country of India. His journey to ������-Chapel Hill was filled with challenges, but he emphasized the need for hard work, a solid support system and mentors to drive success.

“We’re here for the human connection, and it’s all about the journey,” said Jakkharia.

To conclude the luncheon, Dr. Nate Thomas, Vice Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for the School of Medicine and Associate Professor in Psychiatry, introduced the STAHR Mentorship Program. STAHR stands for Students in Training, Academia, Health and Research. The program was designed to build community, develop skills, access a wide support network, develop social and cultural capital, foster cooperative learning and celebrate each other through monthly workshops and additional small group meetings.

Following the presentations, mentors and mentees had the opportunity to ask questions, meet each other and socialize. The first-year students begin their time in the PA program in January 2023.

“I am excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the PA program’s new period of growth,” says Hanlon. The program has recently been granted ongoing accreditation and is transitioning to a more PA-focused leadership. A nationwide search for a permanent program director is underway.

Hanlon has worked in inpatient and outpatient emergency medicine, surgery, and cardiac intensive care during the course of her career. In her current role as assistant professor, she is the course director for the three medical units first-year PA students work through during their pre-clinical phase, and she teaches the cardiology unit. Her leadership experiences through teaching and clinical work have contributed to Hanlon’s ability to support the program through a new phase in its 10-year history.

Dr. Stephen Hooper, Associate Dean of Medicine and Chair of the Department of Health Sciences, noted the importance of the interim role as the program goes through its leadership transition and works toward the ultimate goal of hiring a new permanent program director.

“As we go through this leadership transition, I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Dr. Paul Chelminski for his past contributions to the development of this program and, at the same time, welcome Katie into the fold as we move into the future,” said Hooper. “We are extremely fortunate to have Katie assume this leadership role during a critical time of transition for the PA Program. Moving toward a PA-led program is in accordance with recent changes in the PA accreditation standards, and we are fortunate to have Katie on our team to lead this important educational initiative for the Department, School of Medicine, the broader university, and the state.”

Hanlon graduated from ������-Chapel Hill with a BS in Biology in 2006. She earned a Masters of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies from Midwestern University, Downers Grove, in 2009.

The ������ PA program is currently accepting applications for its January 2024 class. Applications are due March 1, 2023.