What Current PA Students Say
Drawing upon our varied backgrounds in education and health care, our faculty and staff are committed to teaching future generations of physician assistants with skill and compassion. To meet this goal, the UW–Madison PA program seeks the very best students who will care for patients with empathy and effective relationship-building and are devoted to improving the health and well-being of all communities. There’s nobody better to tell you about the student experience than students themselves.
Lyndsey Perron, Madison Campus
What is your favorite memory from PA school so far?
My favorite memories were the summer History and Physical Exam final, where we got to bring in our own patient to do a full physical exam on, or the casting and splinting lab!
Why did you choose the Madison campus?
I chose UW–Madison for many reasons, including the strong emphasis on training providers to help bridge the health care gaps, the system-based curriculum, and the wide range of opportunities they offer, including the international service trip to Belize! What stood out most to me was how welcoming the faculty were during interviews, and how positively the current students spoke about their experience with the program.
Groups like the Native American Center for Health Professions (NACHP) were very welcoming right from acceptance, and the program offers resources to become more involved, including the Tribal Medicine Path of Distinction and clinical rotations serving Native communities.
Devann Harris Loveless, Madison Campus
What is your favorite memory from PA school so far?
My favorite PA school memory so far has been the service trip to Belize!
Why did you choose the Madison campus?
I chose UW–Madison because of the program’s emphasis on public health and rural care. Since high school, I have been volunteering with my hometown’s rural EMS service, which made it especially important for me to find a program that supports rural health care. And as a born-and-raised Midwesterner, staying close to home (with easy access to Kwik Trips) is definitely a bonus.
Kaitlyn Beilke, Wausau Campus
What is your favorite memory from PA school so far?
My favorite PA school memory has been the skills labs, specifically the casting and splinting lab. I have, fortunately, never needed a cast before, so when my classmate put a cast on my leg, I was able to experience what it was like firsthand as the patient. Outside of class, the Wausau cohort will sometimes go to trivia nights. This has been a good way to get our minds off school and just live life in PA school to the fullest. We have yet to get 1st place though.
Why did you choose the Wausau campus?
I chose the Wausau option because I am familiar with the area and have a strong support system here. Knowing how fast-paced PA school can be, I wanted some familiarity with my environment. I also appreciate the flexibility of being a distant campus student, as it allows me to manage my time effectively while limiting stress. Additionally, I enjoy being a part of a smaller cohort because the alumni from the Wausau cohort will come and help us with the skills lab or any other hands-on learning experiences.
Rachael Tomasik, Wausau Campus
What is your favorite memory from PA school so far?
I absolutely loved the suturing and injection lab done during the summer in the Anatomy lab. It was great to get experience with our donors! Honorable mentions: Blind Soda Tasting Competition with classmates and post-exam La Taqueria debrief with the Wausau cohort.
Why did you choose the Wausau campus?
The simple answer is proximity. I had already moved to the greater Wausau area after undergrad. But the more I’ve experienced, the more I’ve realized how special this cohort is. The smaller group size has made it easy to build close, almost family-like bonds. The flexible schedule has also helped me maintain a healthier work-life balance, since we’re not required to be in person every day. And of course, Chelsie Pagel, PA-C (Wausau faculty), has been a phenomenal mentor who goes above and beyond to support us. Choosing Wausau ended up being one of the best decisions I’ve made.
Anna Ahlers, Platteville Campus (3+2 Program)
What is your favorite memory from PA school so far?
My favorite PA school memory so far has been playing sand volleyball on Thursdays after PA 619 exams with my classmates during the summer.
Why did you choose the 3+2 Pathway to the Platteville campus?
I chose the Platteville campus option because I attended undergrad here and loved the community. I also like how Platteville campus emphasizes rural and underserved medicine because these are the populations I strive to serve.
Doing the 3+2 pathway has been challenging but so rewarding. I had a great undergrad advising team that helped me to make an informed decision and enter PA school well prepared, even without technically having my bachelor’s degree. It was intimidating to be in a classroom with so many well-qualified students, but it has been fun to see how much we’ve grown in just one year.
Boston Flannery, Platteville Campus
What is your favorite memory from PA school so far?
My favorite PA school memory was being in the Anatomy Lab. I really enjoyed the interactive learning environment.
Why did you choose the Platteville campus?
I chose the Platteville option for many reasons. I grew up near Platteville and am very familiar with the area. Being able to live near home, while also receiving a world-class education from UW, is an extraordinary opportunity. Also, the smaller and tightly knit cohort in Platteville is a HUGE benefit. Shoutout to the Platteville cohort and faculty; they’re truly amazing.
Alden Laev, MPAS-MPH Dual Degree
What is your favorite memory from PA school so far?
Celebrating with the class after finishing summer anatomy. What a relief! Great sense of camaraderie.
Why did you choose the MPAS-MPH dual degree option?
I’ve had an interest in public health since reading a biography of Paul Farmer (famed public health doctor and founder of international charity Partners in Health). I wanted to learn about different ways to understand and affect people’s health beyond a medical clinic visit. I also wanted to learn extra skills (stats, epidemiology, literature review, academic writing) in hopes of doing leadership and quality improvement work during my career.