As the final step in their academic and clinical journey, the close-knit class shared in a joyous morning celebration with loved ones, faculty, preceptors and administrators at the M&T Bank Arena on the York Hill Campus on August 7.

They were welcomed by distinguished program alumnus Jason Prevelige, MHS ’09, MBA ’21, DMSc, MBA, PA-C, DFAAPA. An adjunct faculty member, Prevelige currently serves the PA profession as immediate past president of the American Academy of Physician Associates and is recognized as a dedicated advocate working toward equitable healthcare for all.

For the graduates, Prevelige said this day marked the culmination of a demanding 27-month program, as they proudly joined the ranks of over 200,000 nationwide PA’s who are changing the face of medicine.

He urged them to keep their patients as their guiding light and top priority, and to act as strong advocates for those who face deep personal obstacles, such as language barriers, transportation challenges and lack of basic necessities.

“As individuals, we’re not going to fix all the problems of the world, but together as a team we can sure try. Have empathy. Help your patients navigate our healthcare system. Assist them in seeking the resources they need to live healthy lives. Simply being the best PA you can be is one of the best ways you can advocate for our profession,” Prevelige said.

Over the last decade, the PA profession has doubled in number, while it has earned strong public trust through more than 60 years of high-quality patient care.

“It’s now your turn to continue that advocacy and branding of our profession. You have the opportunity to influence the practice of medicine by using your knowledge and talents to affect how care is delivered,” Prevelige said. “As healthcare continues to advance, we must keep pace to ensure that our patients have the access to care that they need and deserve. As a PA, you can and will help close gaps that lead to disparities and leave too many patients behind.”

Department Chair and Graduate Program Director Jocelyn Depathy, MHS, PA-C, reminded the new PAs that while the knowledge they have gained will save lives and guide their decisions, the white coat they are receiving is not a symbol of arrival, but one of humility.

Depathy said the strongest clinicians are not those who know every answer, but those who are continually willing to learn when they do not have an answer.

“So today, as you put on this coat, do not think of it a symbol that you have mastered medicine. Think of it as a reminder that you have earned the privilege of continuing to learn it, with curiosity and compassion,” Depathy said. “And if today when you put it on it feels a little big — good, it should. You’re meant to grow into it. Congratulations!”

Trenton Honda, dean of the School of Health Sciences, awarded certificates to the members of Class of 2026, who were helped into their white coats by faculty. Returning from the stage, they stood to take the Physician Assistant Professional Oath.

The ceremony highlighted the achievements of the class including its roster of eight Urban Health Scholars; six Pi Alpha honor society inductees; four Quinnipiac PA Student Society Officers; two Connecticut Academy of Physician Assistants student representatives; one AAPA Student Academy student representative; two AAPA HOD representatives; a Connecticut PA Foundation representative; and a Quinnipiac Graduate Student Council representative. Faculty member Joshua Fruend, clinical assistant professor of PA studies, was also recognized for his induction into Phi Alpha.

Class of 2026 PA program awards were presented by faculty, administrators and instructors.

Rachel Golden, MHS ’26, received the academic excellence award; Meghan Donahue, MHS ’26, earned the medical writing award; Abigail Slaney ’24, MHS ’26, was recognized with the leadership award; Aliana Castro, MHS ’26, received the professional excellence award; Tiffany Lam, MHS ’26, received the community service award; and Brianna Sullivan, MHS ’26, was recognized with the professional involvement award. Additionally, Class of 2016 member Matthew Mancini, MHS ‘16, PA-C, was honored with the distinguished alumni award.  Mancini is a part-time faculty member with the PA program.

Presenting the director’s award for the first time, Depathy, who stepped into the role of director in January, said she deeply considered what she wanted the award to represent.  Choosing to focus on character, she honored graduate Zeel Patel ’23, MHS ’26, with the director’s award.

“Some dreams ask more of us than others. The person I want to recognize wasn’t the one who never struggled. It was the person who never let the struggle change who they were,” said Depathy. “Thank you for reminding me that determination and kindness can exist in the same person. That optimism is a strength, not a personality trait. Perseverance doesn’t have to be hard, and sometimes the people that work the hardest to get here are the ones who bring the greatest empathy with them when they arrive.”

Quinnipiac PA Student Society President Brianna Sullivan, MHS ’26, thanked to the faculty for preparing the class for the privilege of patient care, and announced the Class of 2026 sought to honor those values by donating $500 to the Connecticut Children’s Foundation, as well as leaving remaining class funds to support current and future Quinnipiac PA students.

Sullivan also thanked family and friends for their sacrifices and unwavering belief, saying that their students’ achievement belonged to them as well. Sullivan asked her classmates to remember that their new white coats represented resilience, friendship, and community.

“May we always remain curious, humble and compassionate,” Sullivan said.

Joining Sullivan to present Class of 2026 student awards were Quinnipiac PA Student Society Vice President Kori Krovitz ’24, MHS ‘26, Secretary Tiffany Lam, MHS ’26, and Treasurer Olivia Brunelle ’24, MHS ‘26. The officers presented the didactic professor of the year award to PA Program Medical Director Dr. Bernard A. Clark III. The class also recognized Hayley Merrill ’21, MHS ‘23, PA-C as clinical preceptor of the year.

In a moving moment, Lam helped to present a special award to a fellow Quinnipiac PA program classmate, Ibaleze Garcia ’24, MHS ‘27, who had to make the difficult decision to take medical leave from the PA program.

“While she cannot be coated with us today, she has continued to fully support us, and even selflessly came to this special event to watch us cross the stage one last time. We wanted to give a shout out to our amazing classmate as we believe she most definitely deserves to be a part of our ceremony,” Lam said. “While we all have things to be happy about today, we are also so delighted to celebrate you officially being in remission. Keep marching to the beat of your drum and embracing yourself fully. You’ll always be a member of the Class of 2026, and we’ll be with you every step of the way. The Class of 2027 has no idea how lucky they are to have you.”

In his closing remarks, Prevelige said that given the track record of the Class of 2026 and past Quinnipiac PA graduates, he feels very good about the state of healthcare, wherever each graduate may go on to practice.

“Quinnipiac has provided them with the same skills that I was provided with, and thousands of Quinnipiac PAs before me,” Prevelige said. “My time here has provided me with so many amazing opportunities and experiences, and I encourage you to use those skills proudly and wisely. Bring change to your patients’ lives and the world around you. There are so many ways that each of you can and will impact the health of our communities. Go out and find the way that is best for each of you.”