Duke Physician Assistant Program News & Blogs

Durham is a city with a lot to offer. Whether you are a prospective applicant checking out the area for the first time or an incoming student in town to look for housing, there is plenty to do and see (and eat!) while you’re here.

Second-year PA student Adriana DaCosta will have two pieces of art on display at the Brown Gallery Student Art Exhibition, hosted by Duke University Union's VisArts, in the Bryan Center from March 4th through April 8th. There will be an opening reception on Thursday, March 7, from 6:30-8:30 pm.

In this two-part series, first-year students Polly Hurlburt and Kris Miller sat down to discuss Kris's groundbreaking role as the first Black president of the Duke PA Program's student society, the Stead Society.

 

Part Two: Looking Forward

Read part one here!

 

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This month, we are stepping away from our usual student blog posts to bring you a two-part series: First-year students Polly Hurlburt and Kris Miller sat down to discuss Kris's groundbreaking role as the first Black president of the Duke PA Program's student society, the Stead Society.

 

Part 1: The Path to Leadership

 

The average age of first-year physician assistant (PA) students is 25-28 years old.  

Does that mean that as an applicant in your 30s or older, you have somehow “aged out” of your path to being a PA? 

Of course not!  

The Duke Physician Assistant (PA) Program held its traditional white coat ceremony for the Class of 2025 on January 5^th, 2024. 

We talk a lot about considering each program’s mission statement, philosophies, and values when choosing where you want to submit applications. However, we have only touched on writing your personal mission statement to guide you as you apply to Physician Assistant (PA) programs.

The new year, when you are already thinking about your goals, is a great time to put that idea into practice.

Kendra Ireigbe, PA-C (’23), didn’t grow up dreaming of military service, yet the team-based atmosphere of the military had always appealed to her.

By the time she began applying to physician assistant (PA) programs, she knew she wanted to join the military and that the PA profession started with Navy Corpsman. She also knew trying to join the military as a PA without any other military experience can be difficult.

“Challenging but rewarding.”

This is how many new parents and physician assistant (PA) students alike describe their experience. Now, imagine doing both at the same time. It may be twice as challenging, but it’s all the more rewarding.