Duke Physician Assistant Program News & Blogs

In May, Duke PA faculty, students, and alumni attended the 2025 American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) conference in Denver, CO. Held annually, this conference gathers PAs and PA students from all across the country for a week filled with education, networking, and entertainment. Duke PA students came in energized and ready to showcase their leadership and passion for the profession. 

The Duke Physician Assistant Program held its annual White Coat Ceremony on June 27. During the ceremony, 89 students from the class of 2026 received white coats, marking their transition from classroom learning to clinical training.

This month, we’re shifting from our admissions blog post to continue highlighting more of Duke PA students’ amazing volunteer work this year. Let’s take a look at the Joyce Health Fair.

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.

“In the beginning, I simply wanted pots and seeds to grow pollinator plants, because I thought that planting into the ground would be too steep of a goal… But over time, it became clear that this garden would grow into something much deeper, and much larger than I ever could have anticipated.”

First-year student Skyler Gubbels has been elected to serve on the Student Academy Board of Directors for the 2025 cycle. Gubbels will represent the Southeast region as the Southeast Regional Director.

The AAPA website describes the Regional Director position as follows:

Beta Tested: DPAP Approved

How Peer Partnership and Purpose-Built Tech Modernized Volunteer Engagement

As the Stead Society student secretary for the Class of 2026, one of my core responsibilities is to track and manage individual and class-wide volunteer hours.

Duke Physician Assistant Program Admissions Blog

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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.

Earlier this month, students from the Duke PA Point-of-Care Ultrasound Society (POCUS) held their second annual NC Scan at the Duke Tent Semans Center for Health Education. DPAP faculty member and Professor Janelle Bludorn, MS, PA-C, considered this year’s event “wildly successful,” noting that more than 7 North Carolina universities participated and that well over 100 people attended. 

Webb won the 2025 Duke University School of Medicine Staff Award for Valued Service for his behind-the-scenes innovation that has revolutionized operations within the Duke Physician Assistant Program.