Duke Physician Assistant Program News & Blogs

Congratulations to the students graduating from the School of Medicine’s education and training programs this year! Students in a few programs will receive their degrees or certificates later this summer, but we are taking this opportunity to celebrate all the 2026 graduates. Their success is a testament to their hard work and dedication, and we look forward to hearing about the great things they will accomplish in the years ahead. Meet a few of this year’s graduates below. Click on each one for a full Q-and-A.

One of my favorite pieces of advice I’ve received was one I overheard while teetering atop a model’s pedestal in a sculpture class at the storied New York Studio School. As a seasoned figure model, I had long been aware that much wisdom can be harvested by staying very still and listening, so I was well primed to catch the professor’s comment to the student: “You don’t have to be touching the clay to be working.”

When it comes to applying for PA school, Patient Care Experience (PCE) is one of the most vital components of your application. The more PCE you have, the more competitive you become. So, the golden question here… where do I start? 

Two Duke University School of Medicine students are among the 31 graduate students recently named 2026-27 North Carolina Albert Schweitzer Fellows.    Students selected to this year’s class by the North Carolina Albert Schweitzer Fellowship will spend the next year learning to effectively address the social factors that impact health as they develop lifelong leadership skills.   

Artificial Intelligence platforms can plan trips, budget finances, provide directions on how to repair broken appliances and devices, and so much more. But how much can health care providers actually trust the information it generates in a clinical setting?     Nicholas Hudak, PhD, PA-C, professor in family medicine and community health, is helping physician assistant (PA) students answer that question through a 4-hour seminar.   

What first inspired you to pursue a career as a physician assistant? I wanted to be in health care and take care of patients, but I didn’t feel like medical school was the right mixture of what I was looking for.

What first inspired you to pursue a career as a physician assistant? I was one of those people that always knew I wanted to be in medicine. I always thought the only way to do that was to be a doctor, so I grew up with that thought of I'm going to go to medical school. I went through the process and didn't get in, and it made me reevaluate things. It never sat quite right with me. I knew I wanted to be in medicine, but something didn't align.

What first inspired you to pursue a career as a physician assistant? In college I was always in sports and medicine. I decided to do athletic training in college and realized I wanted to touch a lot more people than just athletes. I looked around and came across the PA profession, and after shadowing I thought it was great. It allowed me to be independent and a part of the team. I could connect on a different level. I saw both the athlete and clinical side.

Duke Physician Assistant Program Alumni Magazine is published by the Duke Physician Assistant Program Alumni Association Editors -April Loehmer Stouder, EdD, MHS, PA-C Division Chief and Program Director, Associate Professor in Family Medicine and Community Health -Andrea Martin Assistant Dean for Digital and Brand Communications -Jennifer Carpenter Associate Director, Marketing -Kyla Fisher, BFA Staff Specialist – Communications and Recruitment

While I always knew I wanted to go into medicine, I never fully believed I was capable of doing so. As many of you who are reading this are aware, every step of the process of becoming a medical professional tests you in new ways, constantly reminding you of how much there is of both you and the world that you’re unaware of. Although I knew on paper I was a good candidate for PA school, the idea of absorbing all the information provided during the didactic year into my brain or embodying the dream version of myself a