Duke PA Program Students Complete Duke BLUE Scholars Program Ahead of Graduation
The Duke BLUE Interprofessional Scholars Symposium, held at the Duke PA program (DPAP), honored two Class of 2026 students for their accomplishments and completion of the program.
Emily Walden, PA-S2, and Skyler Gubbels, PA-S2, both demonstrated excellence and have earned over 100 points through their participation in BLUE Scholars.
The Duke BLUE Interprofessional Scholars Program, an initiative of the Duke Health Center for Interprofessional Education and Care (IPEC), was designed to bring together a new generation of healthcare leaders committed to elevating patient care through collaboration, innovation, and service. The experience encourages students to become catalysts for change in healthcare through interprofessional learning and involvement.
IPEC Associate Dean and Director, Mitchell T. Heflin, MD, MHS, reflected, “The Physician Assistant Program here really captures the essence of innovation in interprofessional collaboration. Dr. Stead, Dr. Estes, in founding the program so many years ago, really had in mind this idea of interprofessional collaborative practice. The spirit is here, but more than the spirit, I would say, the people are here who have driven this forward.”
Gubbels and Walden gave a short reflection on their journey with BLUE Scholars.
Gubbels shared, “One of the biggest things I’ll take away is curiosity. Instead of assuming there’s always one right approach, I want to keep asking myself: What perspective am I missing? Who might have it? And just being curious.
Interprofessional learning showed me that those questions are key in making sure the patient gets the best care possible.”
Walden added, “It’s not just about professionals getting along, it’s about improving the patient experience… Throughout this experience, I realized curiosity isn’t just a personality trait. It became how I approach teamwork. Before, I believed collaboration was important because of the jobs I held, but BLUE added intentionality.”
During the symposium, DPAP Division Chief and Program Director April Stouder, EdD, MHS, PA-C, and Suzanne Hallquist, MSPH, MHS, PA-C, DPAP faculty member and Assistant Director of IPEC, presented the students with stoles in recognition of their successful completion.
As the students prepare for their graduation tomorrow, Walden and Gubbels continue to exemplify the goals of the Duke BLUE Interprofessional Scholars Program and the Duke PA Program through their commitment to collaboration and interprofessional practice.
