Duke Physician Assistant Program Admissions Blog
Here at the Duke PA program, we take pride in our strong history and deep roots. We encourage our students to feed into their personal development, collaborate, and connect to the community through service. There are plenty of ways for students to get involved while in the program, whether through volunteering, joining student organizations, or being active in our primary PA student organization, the Stead Society.
The Stead Society is named after Dr. Eugene A. Stead Jr., the man who started the PA profession right here at Duke.
Who Was Eugene Stead?
Eugene Stead served as Chair of the Department of Medicine from 1947-1967. Recognizing a growing shortage of physicians in the United States, he saw the need for trained medical professionals to help expand access to care in rural and underserved communities. To help connect the divide, Stead established the first physician assistant program at Duke in 1965. He gathered former Navy corpsmen/combat medics and created a two-year, fast-paced program to train them as PAs. This gave these highly trained veterans a means to continue to care for patients and advance their skillsets even more.
The First Class
The very first PA graduates were Victor Germino, Kenneth Ferrell, and Richard Scheele, who graduated from Duke in 1967 under the guidance of Dr. Stead. These men, as well as the first 5 years of Duke PA graduates, were later honored as “Pioneers”, as they were the first to carry the PA profession forward.
Carrying the Legacy Forward
Being a part of the Stead Society means more than just joining a student group. It’s a way to carry forward the legacy of the very first PAs and the vision that started at Duke. Students today are stepping into a profession built on service, innovation, and teamwork. The Society helps keep that legacy alive by encouraging future PAs to stay grounded in those same values, while also making their mark.
What Does the Stead Society Do?
The Eugene A. Stead Society is Duke's PA student organization. The society keeps Duke PA students informed about professional development and coordinates activities on the state and national levels. Other society activities include fundraising, community service, and events to promote public awareness of PAs. All Duke PA students are members of the Stead Society. The election of officers is held during the first semester, shortly after students arrive on campus.
The Heart of the PA Student Experience
Simply put, the Stead Society is key to keeping the Duke PA family connected and engaged. It provides a space for collaboration, learning, and support, transforming the program from a series of courses to a connected community where everyone feels like they belong and can contribute.
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The Duke Physician Assistant Program Admissions Blog presents information based on the experiences of Duke PA Program staff and faculty. While the information provided is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication, requirements can change. Please visit the Duke PA Program website for the most up-to-date information.
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