Physician Assistant Studies Program Accolades
2021 Preceptor of the Year
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies has awarded Dr. Daniel Burns, M.D. F.A.C.O.G the 2021 Preceptor of the Year.
Dr. Burns has over 20 years of precepting experience in Women’s Health. During this past year students routinely noted the excellent experience that Dr. Burns provided them while on rotation. Student comments included, “He showed great patient care which allowed his patients to trust him. His passion for medicine radiated to others which made it a joy to work along his side” as well as, “He is a caring and compassionate provider and teacher. From my first day in women's health, his enthusiasm for teaching students was apparent”.
The Preceptor of the Year Award is an award that honors outstanding preceptors who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the clinical education of PA students as a mentor and instructor. The award is bestowed upon clinical preceptors who exceed expectations in precepting students thus elevating the standards of teaching and mentorship for our trainees and providing exceptional service to our program and profession.
Celebrated Alumni Award
The Department of Physician Assistant studies would like to congratulate Tyler Budziszewski MPAS, PA-C on receiving the inaugural Celebrated Alumni Award.
Tyler has shown a commitment to the education of Mercyhurst University physician assistant students during both the didactic and clinical year. Tyler’s dedication to education embodies the DPAS vision and program goals. Tyler graduated from Mercyhurst University with a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies in 2017.
The Celebrated Alumni Award was created by the DPAS to honor alumna who have exceeded expectations in clinical excellence, service, advocacy, leadership and/or commitment to PA education.
48th Annual PSPA Conference
Members of the Mercyhurst Physician Assistant Student Society (MPASS), advised by faculty member Robin Newhook, collected goods this fall to benefit The Caring Cupboard which is a food bank in the Hershey area. Last year, they provided a full holiday meal for 220 families and a week’s worth of breakfasts and lunches for 200+ children for the week of vacation from school. This year, The Caring Cupboard anticipates serving even greater numbers.
The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) challenged student members to the fundraising drive in conjunction with its annual convention, held in Hershey from November 29 to December 2, 2023. The PA students raised several carloads of food that will be utilized for their holiday distribution. We are proud to support people through this amazing organization’s efforts to combat food insecurities.
2022 Preceptor of the Year
The Department of Physician Assistant Studies has awarded Tamara Murphy, MPA-S, PA-C, the 2022 Preceptor of the Year Award.
Tamara regularly accepts Mercyhurst Physician Assistant students for training in her office. The students have had nothing but consistently positive comments about her performance as a preceptor. In fact, Tamara received a perfect 5.0/5.0 Preceptor Overall Score from the 2022 cohort. Student comments included, “My time as a student with Tamara was wonderful. She deserves this award” as well as, “She was very encouraging, supportive, and full of knowledge. She always had a smile on her face and was a joy to have as a preceptor. I was grateful that I was able to spend my pediatric rotation with her and she definitely made an impact in my future as a PA ”.
The Preceptor of the Year Award is an award that honors outstanding preceptors who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence in the clinical education of PA students as a mentor and instructor. The award is bestowed upon clinical preceptors who exceed expectations in precepting students thus elevating the standards of teaching and mentorship for our trainees and providing exceptional service to our program and profession.
Trustees Award Faculty Tenure
Marcie Fitzgerald, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, was granted tenure and promotion to associate professor. Currently, she is academic director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. She is also the former and founding clinical director of the department, beginning in 2013. In addition, Fitzgerald has provided orthopedic medical care for pediatric patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children in Erie since 2005.
Megan Dougan, MPAS, PA-C, was granted tenure and promoted to associate professor. Since August 2019, she has served as associate program director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. She continues to serve as clinical director since assuming the position in February 2017. In addition, she has worked as a physician assistant in endocrinology at Metabolic Disease Associates Inc. Luis F. Aparicio MD in Erie since 2007.
