November 6, 2020

Dear Alumni,

Welcome to the fall edition of the Drexel University Physician Assistant Department newsletter. Thank you for your continued support of our program and College. As I’m sure you can imagine, things have been a little topsy turvy with the PA program since the spring.

I am so proud of our faculty and our students for the way they adapted to online teaching and learning in the spring. Our clinical year students were two thirds of the way through rotations when they needed to stop and move to a virtual rotation format. The clinical faculty team worked very hard to put almost all of the students back out into clinical training on June 1. I am also so grateful to many of you who precept our students and were able and willing to resume the rotations or primary care practicum.

We ended the summer quarter on a high note when we held our first ever virtual White Coat ceremony for the students heading out to clinical rotations. Here is a chance to see a snippet of the event with this short video. The fall matriculating class of 2022 is starting 100% virtual. Yes, even our clinical assessment labs are online. Course directors Charles Stream and Megan Schneider have been very creative in delivering the use of standardized patients for those first H+PEs virtually.

Some of the components of the online program will probably stick with us, as we have benefitted in some ways, and I know we have all learned a great deal about the challenges of living and working during a pandemic.

We send our wishes that you and your family members have stayed well and safe during these times of uncertainty and change. We look forward to connecting with you via e-mail or in person. Please don’t hesitate to update us on your news and check in any time. My e-mail is jjk28@drexel.edu.

Best regards,
Julie Kinzel, MEd, PA-C
Program Director
Interim Department Chair