Preparing PA Students for Real-World Impact
For students entering the Physician Assistant (PA) profession, choosing the right program is about more than just academics. It’s about preparation for the real challenges they’ll face in patient care. At Le Moyne, our PA program goes beyond textbooks and exams, equipping students with hands-on experiences, a deep understanding of social determinants of health, and the ability to serve communities that need them most.
In a recent Insights from the Heights panel, Jessica Dorsy ’19 and Kristen Sakoi ’13 shared how their time at Le Moyne prepared them for meaningful careers in rural medicine. Their reflections highlight what makes our program unique and why it stands out in preparing PAs for immediate impact.
Experiential Learning, Rural Rotations, and the Power of a Patient-Centered Approach
One of the most memorable parts of the program for Jessica was a project on social determinants of health. “We had to analyze a specific zip code and understand the challenges people in that community faced—from average salary to transportation barriers to healthcare access,” she shared. “That project really stuck with me because, now in my practice, I talk to patients every day about these exact issues.”
This kind of training ensures that Le Moyne PAs don’t just see their patients as symptoms or conditions but as individuals with unique backgrounds and challenges.
For Kristen, the opportunity to complete rural-focused rotations played a huge role in her decision to serve a small community after graduation. “I did a rotation in Wyoming, in a clinic where there was nothing for miles around. It was eye-opening to see how much of a difference a provider could make in that setting,” she said.
Jessica echoed that sentiment, explaining how Le Moyne helped tailor her clinical year toward primary care and family medicine. “I knew I wanted to work in a rural setting, and Le Moyne helped me set up multiple family medicine rotations, which gave me confidence heading into my first job.”
In addition to clinical skills, Le Moyne emphasizes the human side of medicine. The medical humanities course left a lasting impact on Kristen. “It wasn’t just about diagnosing and treating. We discussed the emotional and psychological aspects of healthcare—how stress, trauma, and everyday struggles affect people’s health. That perspective is something I use every day.”
Le Moyne’s dedication to underserved communities is more than just a philosophy—it’s backed by action. In 2023, the PA program was awarded a $2 million grant to address workforce shortages in rural communities. This funding is being used to enhance curriculum, expand rural primary care rotations, and better prepare students for the unique challenges of these areas.
Take a Deeper Dive
More Than Just a Degree: A Mission
If you're looking to make a real impact, our PA program offers the education, experience, and mission-driven focus to turn aspirations into action. Whether through coursework that challenges perspectives, rotations that provide hands-on experience, or faculty that guide students toward purposeful careers, our PAs enter the field prepared to serve.
