PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT

Graduated in 2004
Administrative Chief and Clinical Neurosurgical PA
Duke University Medical Center

Q: Why did you choose Wayne State University?

A: I applied to a few PA schools in Michigan and Ohio. After I attended their information seminars and open house, it became apparent that Wayne State Physician Assistant Studies program was clearly ahead in the mission of training the next-generation of PAs. It was abundantly evident that Wayne State University’s PA program had the conviction, commitment, dedicated and high-quality faculty, the resources, and the clinical sites. I believed Wayne State was well poised in educating and training the best PAs and the program went above and beyond my expectations.

Q: Who was your most memorable instructor?

A: I had a few. Mr. James Frick for his passion and the final lecture he gave Medicine is an Art and Dr. Dale Sillix for her commitment to the WSU PA program. She taught the entire Nephrology section and stayed back after class to answer our questions. She was an excellent teacher and inspired me to become one.

Q: Share some reflections about your time at Wayne State.

A: By far the most amazing two years of my life. Inspiring and knowledgeable faculty who genuinely cared about our learning and well-being. They all had an open-door policy. I had the best classmates I could ask for. Although there were smaller study groups, the WSU PA Class of 2004 was one cohesive group and we genuinely cared for one another and helped each other succeed academically. I could not have asked for a better faculty, education, training and classmates.

Q: In your opinion, what is one of the biggest changes that has occurred in your profession since graduating?

A: More wide acceptance of PAs in specialty and subspecialty areas of surgery and medicine, plus the emergence of postgraduate residencies in surgery, ER and discipline of medicine.

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The Physician Assistant Studies master of science degree program at the Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is focused on the development of highly competent and passionate physician assistants who are deeply committed to practicing in urban and underserved health care settings. It is the highest ranking program in Michigan and among the top 50 programs in the nation, as ranked by U.S. News & World Report for 2023-24. The admission cycle runs from May 1-Sept. 1 for classes beginning the following May. Prospective students can get started by attending a WSU Applebaum information meeting at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. 

An anchor in urban health care

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is built on more than 100 years of tradition and innovation in the heart of Detroit. We have grown deep roots in our city, harnessing its powerhouse hospital systems and community service organizations as vibrant, real-world training grounds for students, with an ongoing focus on social justice in health care. And our research at all levels – from undergraduates to veteran faculty members – translates into creative solutions for healthier communities.

Wayne State University is a premier urban research institution offering approximately 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to nearly 24,000 students.