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Thirty-seven students and seven faculty members from St. Bonaventure University's Physician Assistant Studies program joined PA professionals, educators and fellow students from across New York state at the 2026 New York State Society of Physician Associates (NYSSPA) Annual CME Conference, held Oct. 16-18 at the Albany Capital Center in Albany.

The three-day conference, themed “Unmasking the Impact of PAs,” provided students with opportunities to expand their clinical knowledge, connect with practicing physician associates and engage with professional issues shaping the future of healthcare. The weekend also featured recognition of a St. Bonaventure faculty member for outstanding community service, educational and scholarly presentations by faculty, and student participation in professional and fundraising activities.

“Having 37 of our students participate in a statewide professional conference represents a meaningful investment in their education and professional development,” said Dr. Keith Young, founding program director of Physician Assistant Studies. “These experiences expose students to the broader PA community, reinforce the importance of lifelong learning and help them develop their professional identities. It was particularly rewarding to see our students engaged alongside faculty who were contributing to the profession through education and community service.”

Students support statewide scholarship fundraiser

St. Bonaventure students participated enthusiastically in NYSSPA’s Oktoberfest event, held Oct. 16 at Nine Pin Cider in Albany.

The event featured games, raffles and networking activities designed to raise funds for scholarships supporting PA students throughout New York.

St. Bonaventure sponsored a spelling bee game during the fundraiser and was recognized for having the largest number of participants in the activity. The strong student turnout helped make the program’s sponsorship and participation possible.

The event gave students an opportunity to engage with the broader PA community while supporting scholarships for future healthcare professionals.

Students and faculty celebrate the impact of PAs at annual gala

St. Bonaventure students and faculty also attended NYSSPA’s Clara Vanderbilt Award Dinner & Gala on Oct. 17. The evening reflected the conference’s theme, “Unmasking the Impact of PAs,” celebrating the contributions physician associates make to healthcare and the communities they serve.

The masquerade-inspired event encouraged attendees to wear masks as part of the celebration. St. Bonaventure students and faculty embraced the theme by wearing wolf masks to demonstrate their Bona’s pride while joining colleagues from across the state.

The evening also featured a keynote presentation by Dr. Paul Tran titled “Not Doing Good Enough,” which explored impostor syndrome, professional confidence and the importance of reconnecting with one's purpose in healthcare.

Students represent St. Bonaventure in Challenge Bowl

St. Bonaventure students also competed in the annual NYSSPA PA Student Challenge Bowl on Oct. 18.

The team participated in the opening round of the statewide medical knowledge competition, which brought together students from PA programs across New York. Although the team did not advance beyond the first round, the experience provided an opportunity to apply clinical knowledge, collaborate across student cohorts and represent St. Bonaventure among its peer institutions.

For second-year PA student Sophia Meier, the event offered an opportunity to recognize her professional growth. She reflected on the confidence she gained between her first and second years of PA education and her pride in representing St. Bonaventure alongside her classmates.

Conference provides educational and professional opportunities

Beyond the organized competitions, students participated in clinical education sessions, interacted with practicing PAs and explored career opportunities across multiple medical specialties.

For Eric Philippou, participation in the Challenge Bowl was only one highlight. He also had the opportunity to network directly with the NYSSPA president, who serves as a clinical preceptor for St. Bonaventure’s PA program, and connect with professionals in cardiothoracic surgery. Conversations about transplant surgery introduced Philippou to professional opportunities he had not previously considered.

Alexa Vaughn found sessions addressing GLP-1 medications and preparation for clinical rotations particularly valuable. As she approaches the clinical phase of her education, she appreciated practical guidance on what to expect and how to prepare. She also participated as an alternate for the Challenge Bowl team.

Lexi Walton, who is completing clinical rotations, described how the conference helped her connect emerging clinical information with her experiences caring for patients. A session on migraine treatment was relevant to her interest in family medicine, while discussions about doctoral education reinforced the importance of lifelong professional learning.

Other students highlighted the sense of community developed through interactions with PA students from different institutions, the value of professional networking, and the opportunity to explore potential employment after graduation.

Faculty member receives Community Impact Award

Jeffrey Szymanski, MPAS, PA-C, clinical assistant professor and director of didactics in St. Bonaventure’s PA program, received NYSSPA’s 2026 Community Impact Award during the organization’s membership meeting.

The award recognizes Szymanski’s commitment to community service and his efforts to create meaningful opportunities for students to serve others. A U.S. Army veteran with 13 years of service and a former emergency medicine PA, Szymanski serves as faculty adviser to the university's Military Aligned Student Program and Students Without Borders. His work with Students Without Borders helped secure a 2026 Toulmin Foundation grant to establish a mobile clinic serving underserved communities in the Dominican Republic.

Faculty contribute to educational and scholarly programming

St. Bonaventure faculty contributed to the conference through educational and scholarly presentations.

Young and Nicole Ackley, PA-C, director of clinical education, joined Kathryn Compagni, PA-C, to present “Surviving Clinical Rotations.”

The presentation offered practical guidance to PA students preparing for clinical education, addressing topics such as adapting to different preceptor expectations, maintaining professionalism and maximizing educational opportunities during clinical rotations.

Additionally, Ackley and Kathryn Nelson, PA-C, presented a scholarly poster titled “The Benefits of Storytelling in PA Education and Beyond.” Their presentation highlighted the program’s scholarly engagement and its contributions to advancing teaching and learning in PA education.

Philanthropic support expands opportunities

A philanthropic gift to the PA program helped cover registration expenses for all 37 participating students. The financial support removed barriers that otherwise might have prevented some students from attending.

The conference demonstrated St. Bonaventure’s commitment to preparing knowledgeable, compassionate and professionally engaged physician associates while encouraging students to embrace professional service, leadership and lifelong learning.