Community Life
When you're a part of the community that makes up the University of Dayton Department of Physician Assistant Education, you're more than just a student in a classroom. You're part of a team that's committed to the service of the human person through the skillful, compassionate, and ethical provision of health care within the context of the Catholic Marianist tradition.
Our program utilizes technology blended with traditional hands-on experiences to provide you with the best possible experience to prepare you for clinical practice.
Explore highlights from our community:

Faculty members Sean Haig and Kelli Huesman volunteer at Dayton's Reach Out clinic most weeks, providing pro bono medical care for women and children residing at a local shelter. Each week, PA students join as part of their pediatric clinical experience and to give back to the community.

The Healer's Art has been implemented at more than 90 medical schools across the country and around the world and has been adapted for other healthcare professions, such as nursing and veterinary care. The University of Dayton was the first program to offer The Healer's Art course to Physician Assistant Education students. The course explores the "art of medicine" via reflection and discussion of such topics as self-care, grief and loss, healing lineage, courage, and service as a way of life. This course has allowed our students to make stronger connections with their classmates, reaffirm their calling to the physician assistant profession, gain tools to avoid burnout and strengthen their commitment to the compassionate care of their patients.

As part of the PA Education Association's Project Access, UDPA students partner with DECA high school and DECA middle school to share information about the PA profession and provide health education to young people. PA students have also led health education seminars at the Bombeck Family Learning Center, teaching preschool children about the importance of handwashing and demonstrating proper techniques.

As part of her curriculum in the physician assistant program, Jayla Treadwell '24 partnered with the Dayton Early College Academy to introduce high school students to the PA profession.

As a National Health Service Corps scholar, Halemah Shuman reflects on her drive to bridge health disparities, serve underserved communities, and the powerful motivation rooted in both personal passion and faith.

An interview for UD’s Flyer Promise Scholars set Chase Hoffman '22 up for success in medical field.