It has been a full year for Duke PA students, both in and outside the classroom. From hosting fundraisers and school carnivals to the much-loved visit to Burton Elementary, they have found meaningful ways to make their mark and shine a light on the PA profession.
Here’s a look back at a few of the events our student organization, the Stead Society, has brought to life this year, with a highlight on the visit to Burton Elementary.
One of the first events was an on-campus carnival titled At Last. Hosted by the Class of 2026, the event was held in honor of previous DPAP graduate Adam Cady, MHS, ATC, CSCS, PA-C. The carnival took its name from his organization, At L.A.S.T., an LA-based nonprofit where he serves as COO and Vice President. This organization actively works to improve the overall health equity for athletes in underrepresented and underserved communities. The class brought in $1,373, which went towards the organization.
Later in the semester, after the White Coat Ceremony was unexpectedly canceled, students gathered to launch an innovative fundraising initiative titled Silent Suction. The effort brought in $1,001, which was used to fund preceptor gifts. These gifts are a way the class shows appreciation to the clinical instructors who support them during rotations. The fundraiser was supported by Trosa, a nonprofit that helps individuals recovering from substance abuse.
When preparing for Thanksgiving, students gathered for a potluck and shared meaningful dishes, raising funds to support the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, a state-recognized tribe in North Carolina. The event brought attention to issues of cultural appropriation and showed solidarity with indigenous communities.
During the holidays, students collaborated with the UNC PA Program to launch the “Giving Tree” project, an effort focused on collecting toys for children affected by Hurricane Helene. Not only did this also bring in donations, but it also demonstrated how students from different programs can come together to support a shared cause.
All of the projects combined (both mentioned and others) raised nearly $14,000 through student efforts!
Burton Elementary School Visit 2025
Visiting Burton Elementary School has become a beloved tradition at DPAP. For over 20 years, PA students have anticipated this annual trip to take part in the health education presentation. The students’ energy and excitement are always what makes this day so special year after year.
In the past, PA students led sessions on topics such as healthy eating, inclusivity, and dental health. This year, the PA Class of 2026 organizers, Quynh Lee, Haejin Lovelace, Zahra Rangwala, and Temitope Ogunnaike, had one clear goal. They wanted to create a unique experience that would truly stick with the Burton students and have a real impact beyond the day.
During its beginning stages, Ogunnaike recalls, “When we first came together to plan the 2025 Burton Elementary School Visit, our primary goal was simple: to make a meaningful impact on the kids in any way we could. From the very beginning, we were united by a shared desire to not only support their education but to make learning an enjoyable and memorable experience.”
To bring that idea to life, the team spent months planning and preparing. They kicked off fundraising by hosting a book fair on campus with donated books, which turned out to be a big hit among classmates.
They followed up with hot chocolate stands and Valentine’s Day candy grams, and between the two, raised more than $440. On top of that, they received a grant to help cover additional costs. By the time the fundraising had wrapped up, they had more than enough to cover every part of the visit.
With the main plan set, they turned their focus on the small details that would bring it all together. Ogunnaike explains, “Each station was carefully designed with the 4th-grade level in mind, ensuring the content was age-appropriate and relevant. To keep things engaging, we made sure every station either began or ended with a brief educational piece — something meaningful the kids could learn from — followed by a hands-on application-based activity.”
With this in mind, the team came up with a creative way to introduce PA education… by using Monopoly!
For this year’s visit, the student leadership team decided to go out of the box and put on an interactive skit. PA student “actors” Madeline Quick, Tim Rodriguez, and Talmage Sanders, highlighted the importance of healthy habits such as washing your hands every day, eating clean, and standing against bullying. During the main lesson, elementary students were able to move the Monopoly Man to different learning stations around the room. Afterward, they traded Monopoly cash for prizes.
Despite the nerves during the planning, Lee recalls how grateful she was for how smoothly the day went. “When things went into motion, everything fell into place. The kids were having fun, and we went through the event with little to no hiccups or issues. Even when the weather changed, the team was able to adapt and move accordingly without problems. “It was encouraging to see that during the game, the kids answered the questions correctly, showing that they were engaged.”
Student leaders say that the most rewarding part was being able to see how genuinely excited the children were to have taken part in the activities. “After all the energy and excitement from the different stations, seeing their faces light up as they were getting a prize was priceless…It was such a fun and rewarding moment – not just because they were happy, but because it felt like the perfect ending to a day full of learning and joy.”
The attending faculty loved watching the PA students perform and showcase their leadership. Faculty members, Dr. Laura Okolie, DMSc, MBA, MHS, PA-C, and Dr. Brittany Macon-Davis, DMSc, MHS, PA-C, praised the team saying, "The 4th graders had a blast, and we, as faculty, had so much to say about the PA students’ leadership, engagement, and creativity. We look forward to continuing this project for years to come!”
Drs. Macon-Davis & Okolie also extended a special thanks to Dr. Megan Holmes, PH.D., for her support of the students and guidance during the event.
Duke PA Program Director, Dr. Jacqueline Barnett, DHSc, MHS, PA-C, recaps, stating, “The group’s altruistic spirit, along with detailed planning and organizing for months, made this a very successful service event.”
These experiences didn’t just give back to the community, but they also shaped the students, bringing them closer to the kind of providers they hope to become. With so much energy and passion, the Duke PA community looks forward to building on this momentum and continuing to make a positive impact in the years to come.
