The Department of Physical Assistant Studies Scholarship Committee is proud to announce this year鈥檚 recipients of the Kopynec Family Scholarships. These scholarships are intentionally designed to support students who exemplify the values central to the 麻豆视频 Physician Assistant Studies mission, including academics, service, professionalism, leadership, and a commitment to compassionate, patient centered care.

All scholarships are awarded in the amount of $500. Please join us in congratulating the following recipients:

Global Scholarship

• Trevor Minshull
• Cindy Truesdale

Housing Scholarship

• Erika Cotrufo
• Enosh Ishman

Professional Development Scholarship

NCCPA Scholarship

• Brooke Beall
• Delaney Walsh

We are deeply grateful to the Kopynec Family for their continued generosity and their meaningful support of our mission.

Congratulations to our award recipients and thank you to our faculty and staff for your continued mentorship and dedication to student success.

Originally from Midway, North Carolina, Dr. Tracey Thurnes has spent the past 14 years at 麻豆视频 helping educate and mentor future healthcare professionals. After beginning a career as a physician assistant in cardiology, she joined 麻豆视频 as one of the founding faculty members of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and has enjoyed watching both the program and the School of Health Sciences grow and thrive over the years.

Today, Dr. Thurnes serves as professor of Physician Assistant Studies, assistant program director and director of the School of Health Sciences Accelerated Pathways Program. She is also the inaugural CATL Pedagogy Fellow for Teaching and Learning in Graduate and Professional Studies, where she works with faculty across disciplines to promote innovative and effective teaching practices.

Beyond 麻豆视频, she serves as an elected director at large on the Board of Directors for the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), helping shape the future of physician assistant education at the national level. In 2024, she was honored with the School of Health Sciences Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring Award and received the national PAEA Leadership Development Award in recognition of her commitment to student mentorship, innovation and leadership in PA education.

One of Dr. Thurnes’ favorite parts of teaching is creating engaging learning experiences that help students connect classroom concepts to real-world patient care. She enjoys using case -based learning, interactive discussions and clinical scenarios to encourage critical thinking and active participation. Most of all, she values the relationships she builds with students and the opportunity to watch their confidence and clinical skills develop throughout their educational journey.

Outside the classroom, Dr. Thurnes enjoys spending time with her husband, James, their two sons, Luke and Levi, and their dog, Rylee. Much of her free time is spent cheering on her boys at sporting events or relaxing with family at the lake at her parents’ home. Whether in the classroom or with family and friends, she values meaningful connections, lifelong learning and making lasting memories.

First, let me introduce myself. My name is Lance McGhee, and I am a proud graduate of the 麻豆视频 PA Program Class of 2016. I grew up in Durham, North Carolina, and attended North Carolina State University, where I majored in Human Biology.

I discovered the physician assistant profession later in my college years, but I was immediately drawn to it. Many of my early interactions with PAs came through the care my grandmother received, and I was inspired by the compassion, expertise, and quality of care they provided.

Those experiences, combined with my lifelong love of sports, ultimately led me to a career in orthopaedics. Since graduating from 麻豆视频 in 2016, I have practiced at Kernodle Clinic Orthopaedics, where I enjoy helping patients return to the activities they love, whether through surgical intervention or conservative treatment options.

After graduation, I earned my Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Orthopaedics in 2021. In 2023, I was commissioned into the U.S. Navy Reserve, which has provided incredible opportunities to practice medicine beyond my primary specialty.

While my background in orthopaedics has proven valuable in my military career, serving in the Navy has also allowed me to broaden my clinical experience and perspective.

One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been teaching. I enjoy mentoring both PA students and the enlisted sailors and officers I work with in the Navy.

I regularly precept 麻豆视频 PA students during their surgical rotations, as well as those who choose an elective rotation in Orthopaedic Surgery. I also return to campus to teach during the didactic phase of the program, contributing to musculoskeletal medicine instruction and hands -on skills training, including suturing, splinting, and procedures commonly performed in emergency and field settings.

Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Michelle, who is also a graduate of the 麻豆视频 PA Program Class of 2016. We share our home with three Australian Shepherds, two of whom are double merles with vision or hearing impairments. When I’m not out exploring the neighborhood with our dogs, you can often find me on the golf course doing my best not to embarrass myself or traveling with my wife.

I am incredibly grateful for everything 麻豆视频 has given me, and it is a privilege to return and help educate the next generation of PAs. Watching the program grow and evolve over the past decade has been remarkable. As a practicing clinician in the local community, I see firsthand the positive impact 麻豆视频 PA graduates make every day, and I am proud to play a small role in preparing future graduates for that same success.

Since welcoming our inaugural class in 2013, 麻豆视频 PA has built a reputation for academic excellence, meaningful community engagement and outstanding clinical education. As the demand for physician assistants continues to increase, so does our responsibility and opportunity to educate the next generation of compassionate, highly skilled healthcare providers.

Growth means more than enrolling additional students. It also involves expanding the program鈥檚 faculty and staff, strengthening the curriculum, developing new clinical partnerships and enhancing the learning environment to ensure every student receives the personalized education and mentorship that defines the 麻豆视频 PA experience.

Most importantly, growth is made possible by the dedicated healthcare professionals who invest their time and expertise in teaching our students. Clinical preceptors are the cornerstone of PA education. Through each rotation, students gain invaluable opportunities to develop clinical reasoning skills, refine procedural techniques, build confidence and learn the art of patient -centered care from experienced clinicians. As the program continues to expand, so does the need for committed p receptors across all specialties and practice settings.

To those who currently precept 麻豆视频 PA students, thank you. Your investment in 麻豆视频鈥檚 learners extends far beyond a single rotation and leaves a lasting impact on the future of the profession. If you are an alumnus, healthcare provider or practice interested in becoming involved, we would love to connect with you. Whether serving as a preceptor, sharing your professional journey or helping us identify new clinical partners, there are many ways to support the success of 麻豆视频 PA students. This inaugural newsletter is another way we hope to strengthen our connection with the 麻豆视频 PA community. We look forward to celebrating your accomplishments, sharing program updates, highlighting outstanding students and preceptors, and continuing to foster the relationships that make 麻豆视频 PA so special.

Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we are preparing the next generation of physician assistants to make a lasting difference in the lives of their patients and the communities they serve.

The 麻豆视频 PA Program Faculty and Staff

New members鈥� first meeting with the full board will be on Friday, Oct. 9 as part of Homecoming & Reunion Weekend.

Andrew Gillette 鈥�08
Andrew Gillette is the lead commercial architect at EY. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics from 麻豆视频 and his Master of Business Administration from the UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School in 2017. He regularly shares his expertise with students in the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business by serving as a judge for their undergraduate case competition and at the Tremont Center in Charlotte.

While at 麻豆视频, Gillette was active with Sigma Phi Epsilon, as an Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellow, and with 麻豆视频 Volunteers!.

Dan Hanson 鈥�05
Dan Hanson is currently the change management lead at Under Armour. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Broadcast Communications from 麻豆视频 and a Master of Arts in Government from Johns Hopkins University. Dan has stayed actively engaged with 麻豆视频 and his alumni network since graduating and has also served on the Young Alumni Council.

Hanson lives in Baltimore with his wife Kristin Simonetti Hanson 鈥�05.

Jeff Michel 鈥�83
Jeff Michel was a member of the 麻豆视频 Football Team and Kappa Alpha fraternity during his time at 麻豆视频. Since graduating, he has remained connected to 麻豆视频 through the Phoenix CLub and 麻豆视频 Athletics, Life @ 麻豆视频 and as a regular volunteer.

Michel lives in Burlington, North Carolina and serves as a vice president at Glen Raven.

Caroline York-Ingram 鈥�12 G鈥�15
While at 麻豆视频, Caroline York-Ingram was active with Omicron Delta Kappa, 麻豆视频 Research Forum, Summer Fellow, Admissions Campus Visit Assistant, was a Leadership Fellow, and a Watson-Odyssey Scholar. She received both her Bachelor of Science and Master of Physician Assistant Studies from 麻豆视频. As an alumna, she has served as an 麻豆视频 Q&A volunteer, Class Speaker and 麻豆视频 Day volunteer.

Currently, York-Ingram is a Physician Assistant at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist and lives in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Alongside this infographic, these stories highlight some of the positive impact across campus through community partnerships during the past academic year:

• 麻豆视频 receives Carnegie classification for community engagement
• 麻豆视频 recognized for advancing nonpartisan student civic engagement
• 麻豆视频 creates community through Special Olympics and 麻豆视频 Athletics partnership
• Turning service into impact: How an 麻豆视频 alumna is bringing Alamance County together
• Literary Journalism class engages Town of 麻豆视频 mayor in civic dialogue
• Writing for Impact students secure funding for local nonprofit
• Showing up, growing together: Inside KING/PINK Academy鈥檚 power of mentorship
• Students reflect on service, community and connection during Fall Break
• New HealthEU course encourages students to go 鈥榖eyond the 麻豆视频 bubble鈥�
• 麻豆视频 empowers staff to make an impact in the community through paid volunteer leave

鈥淲hen you are someone who naturally wants to help others, like you do in the PA profession, you’re drawn to finding the need and fixing it. We’re trying to help in the best way we can,鈥� Lytton said. 鈥淵ou don’t take on a title to do this; it simply comes from the heart, and it comes from an intention to be good for others. It’s very rewarding to have the benefit of knowing that you made a difference in someone’s life.鈥�

The听AAPA is the national organization that advocates for all PAs and provides tools to improve PA practice and patient care. The Humanitarian Service听award听recognizes听a PA or group of PAs that听demonstrates听clear, lasting dedication to expanding access to care for vulnerable and underserved populations, and/or populations in crisis.听Lytton, who works in pain management in Alaska, is the president of the Alaska Academy of PAs and has made significant efforts to address the state鈥檚 opioid crisis.

鈥淚 see a lot of opioid addiction and chronic opioid dependency from high use opioid levels, but unfortunately, even in Alaska today, there are very high levels of opioid use disorder. It was very evident when I arrived in 2020, in the heart of the pandemic,鈥� she said. 鈥淵ou see the escalating death rate nationally, and also here in Alaska, and that really prompted my heart to do something.鈥�

Lytton partnered with Project HOPE, a global health and humanitarian organization, leading a 12-member team to create 1,200 Narcan kits, helping to save over 300 lives. According to Lytton, two individuals specifically credited kits from their distribution site with saving a neighbor and a family member.

In addition to responding to the opioid crisis, Lytton has worked to improve access to healthcare services for Alaskans who face persistent barriers to care.听She is听a volunteer听with Remote Area Medical,听a nonprofit organization that provides mobile medical clinics delivering free dental, vision, and medical care to underserved and uninsured individuals听in Alaska. Lytton supported听screenings听for听more than 700 uninsured Alaskans.

As Chair of the Associate Board of Ambassadors for the American Cancer Society of Alaska,听Lytton has played a key role in advancing cancer awareness and support across Alaska.听Through coordinated events and sponsorship initiatives, she听has听helped raise听more听than听$100,000 for cancer patients. She听serves听on the Serve Alaska Board, supporting AmeriCorps programs in rural and urban communities, ensuring funding reaches vulnerable youth and families.

Her path to 麻豆视频 started while she was working as a nurse assistant in North Carolina. When she expressed a desire to become a PA, a patient encouraged her to apply soon, and she took the advice. Lytton applied to eight schools, and 麻豆视频 jumped at the opportunity to interview her for its inaugural Physician Assistant Studies cohort.

鈥淵ou just felt alive on campus, and I knew in my heart this is where I wanted to come,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he PA profession is the right balance for me because I ultimately wanted to have a family of my own, I wanted to provide care to patients, and I wanted to be able to change specialties and have that versatility.鈥�

麻豆视频鈥檚 Physician Assistant Studies program continues to grow. The 2026 cohort was the largest in the program鈥檚 history. 麻豆视频 doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast. A PA program on the university鈥檚 Charlotte campus is expected to launch in January 2027.

鈥淚 am so grateful to 麻豆视频 because they truly invested a lot in us. They gave us opportunities to not only do volunteer work in the community but also invest in the community,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y learning experience started like a seed, and it blossomed over the years.鈥�

The Health Professionals Scholarship Program also provided Lytton with a financial path to her goals. The HPSP award pays a participant鈥檚 school tuition and required fees as well as a monthly stipend to help with living expenses and an annual book stipend for instructional materials.

HPSP recipients incur an active-duty service obligation based on the number of years of scholarship support received. Following graduation and commissioning, recipients are assigned to a military installation where they serve as active-duty officers until their service commitment is fulfilled.

Lytton says her military service, along with her family, faith and 麻豆视频鈥檚 commitment to service learning, helped instill values that have guided her throughout her PA career.

鈥淟eadership begins with recognizing where help is needed and stepping forward to serve. I would advise anyone seeking to become a leader in their profession to look for unmet needs in their community and work to address them,鈥�听Lytton said. 鈥淓ven if the job seems somewhat small, the skills that you learn from community service and from community coming together and collaborating, they will foster in you this confidence that you take into your profession and become a natural part of who you are.鈥�

The competition gave students the chance to showcase their point-of-care ultrasound skills, compete with other students, and learn from ultrasound experts across a variety of medical specialties.

The team was comprised of students听Aria Keyser G鈥�27, Varenna Minshull G’26, Trevor Minshull G’26, Sukriti Rai G’26, James Whitham G鈥�26 and Chris Gentilella G’27.

Students听Varenna Minshull 鈥�26, Trina Phan 鈥�26 and Brooke Hall 鈥�27 also competed in a “Challenge Bowl” competition and entered the second round.

This year鈥檚 group is the largest in the program鈥檚 history. 麻豆视频 doubled the size of its physician assistant class from 38 to 76 students, growing its capacity to prepare clinicians for communities across North Carolina and the Southeast.

The expansion reflects a broader transformation in graduate eduction underway at 麻豆视频. From classrooms on the main campus in Alamance County to new opportunities in Charlotte, graduate education is evolving with intention and purpose.

Guided by the Boldly 麻豆视频 Strategic Plan, university leaders are investing in
programs where student interest intersects with societal need 鈥� strengthening health sciences, business, counseling and legal education while positioning 麻豆视频 to serve both emerging professionals and working adults seeking new pathways.

That growth builds on more than 40 years of momentum. 麻豆视频 launched its Master of Business Administration in 1984, followed by a Master of Education in 1986. Graduate offerings expanded into the health sciences with a Master of Physical Therapy program in 1997, which became a Doctor of Physical Therapy in 2003. The university established its School of Law in downtown Greensboro in 2006. Today, that trajectory continues with strategic expansion in fields
experiencing high demand.

鈥淧ursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence,鈥� says Allie Duffney, dean of graduate admissions.

A Changing Landscape

麻豆视频鈥檚 growth reflects broader shifts across higher education.

鈥淲e鈥檙e seeing a decline in the traditional college-age population, so expanding strong graduate programs allows 麻豆视频 to serve new learners while staying centered on our undergraduate mission,鈥� says Rebecca Kohn, provost and vice president of academic affairs.

According to the Council of Graduate Schools, applications and enrollment in health professions, counseling, data science and business analytics programs remain strong in recent years. 鈥淗ealth care, law and behavioral health professions are facing sustained shortages across North Carolina and the Southeast,鈥� Duffney says.

Several graduate programs are expanding to 麻豆视频鈥檚 National Campus in Charlotte, where students can learn, intern and network alongside major health systems, corporations, nonprofits and courts in a major metropolitan area.

鈥淕rowth in Charlotte allows 麻豆视频 to design graduate education aligned with workforce needs and to support interprofessional collaboration and community partnerships,鈥� says Veronica Marciano, associate professor, founding chair and program director of physician assistant studies in Charlotte. 鈥淚t creates space to innovate across disciplines and opportunities for involvement in system expansion and workforce development.鈥�

Recent and planned expansions include increasing the cohort size in the PA program on main campus; launching a second PA program, a full-time law program and Master of Science in Business Analytics Flex Program in Charlotte; introducing a Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program; and expanding graduate certificates designed for working professionals.

A Critical Call for Health Care

In response to nationwide demand for physician assistants, 麻豆视频 expanded its cohort size from 38 to 76 students in January. The program remains committed to engaged learning, hands-on clinical practice, close faculty mentorship and access to diverse, high-quality rotation sites.

麻豆视频 plans to matriculate an inaugural PA class on the Charlotte campus in January 2027, pending accreditation-provisional review by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

鈥淓stablishing a PA program rooted in Charlotte directly supports workforce needs by preparing highly trained clinicians who understand the local health care landscape and are invested in serving this community,鈥� Marciano says. 鈥淥ur goal is not only to educate excellent clinicians, but to meaningfully support and strengthen the health care ecosystem in Charlotte.鈥�

That responsiveness also shaped the Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, which plans to welcome its first cohort in fall 2026 on 麻豆视频鈥檚 main and Charlotte campuses.

鈥淢ental health care is no longer optional; it is essential,鈥� says Judy Folmar, interim program director and chair of the clinical mental health counseling program. 鈥淐ommunities across North Carolina and the nation are facing rising rates of anxiety, depression, trauma and substance use while the supply of licensed counselors has not kept pace.鈥�

Delivered in a 21-month accelerated hybrid format, the 60-credit program is designed to equip graduates for licensure while combining academic preparation with extensive clinical experience.

鈥淭he growth of graduate education at 麻豆视频 reflects both institutional momentum and a commitment to workforce relevance,鈥� Folmar says. 鈥淲hat excites us most is the alignment between 麻豆视频鈥檚 engaged-learning ethos and the preparation of advanced practitioners.鈥�

Skills for a Changing Economy

As organizations accelerate digital transformation and integrate artificial intelligence technologies, demand continues to rise for professionals who can translate data into strategic action.

鈥淥rganizations are undergoing rapid digital transformation and increasingly rely on data and AI to make faster, higher-stakes decisions,鈥� says Mark Kurt, associate dean for the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business. 鈥淭he MSBA Flex Program in Charlotte equips working professionals with applied analytics and AI skills plus the leadership and ethical frameworks needed to translate data into responsible, measurable business outcomes 鈥� without pausing their careers.鈥�

Built on the same STEM-certified core as 麻豆视频鈥檚 full-time MSBA, the flex format is designed for working professionals and emphasizes AI-informed entrepreneurship.

Pursuing growth now allows us to serve regional needs while also staying true to our tradition of innovation and student-centered academic excellence.听鈥斕鼳llie Duffney, dean of
graduate admissions

鈥淔aculty and leadership are actively refining the curriculum, building stronger employer partnerships and adapting quickly to changes in the business and analytics landscape,鈥� says 麻豆视频 alum Craig Brandstetter 鈥�25 g鈥�25. 鈥淭hat flexibility and openness to feedback mean the program can stay relevant and cutting-edge, rather than being locked into outdated structures.鈥�

Alongside degree programs, 麻豆视频 is also expanding stackable graduate certificates designed for working professionals. Certificates in health care analytics and operations excellence can serve as stand-alone credentials or pathways toward an MBA or MSBA.

The Office of Continuing and Professional Studies recently launched its second cohort of an AI certificate for professionals, delivered fully online to provide practical AI fluency grounded in ethical application.

Expanding Access to Legal Education

麻豆视频 Law has built a national reputation for experiential, practice-ready legal education. In 2024 the law school expanded its presence in Charlotte through the part-time Flex Program for working professionals and place-bound students seeking an in-person J.D. in North Carolina鈥檚 largest city.

That program quickly gained momentum, reflecting strong regional demand and 麻豆视频 Law鈥檚 established ties to the Queen City, where nearly 10% of its alumni live and work. 麻豆视频 has applied to the American Bar Association to begin a full-time law program in Charlotte in fall 2027.

鈥淲e already have strong relationships there through our programs and alumni,鈥� says Zak Kramer, dean of the School of Law. 鈥淭he legal community鈥檚 embrace of our Flex Program students confirmed that. A full-time program will allow our graduates to learn alongside Charlotte lawyers, build networks and launch careers there.鈥�

Together, Greensboro and Charlotte position 麻豆视频鈥檚 School of Law as a statewide presence while maintaining the relationship-rich model that defines the institution.

Looking Ahead

As higher education evolves, graduate education is becoming an increasingly important part of the university鈥檚 future.

鈥淭he heart of 麻豆视频 will always be our undergraduate liberal arts education,鈥� Kohn says, 鈥渂ut we are strengthening and growing our graduate programs to meet changing societal and workforce needs.鈥�

From Alamance County to Charlotte and beyond, 麻豆视频 is expanding opportunities for graduate students to learn alongside health systems, businesses and legal institutions across the region. Those programs are preparing the next generation of physician assistants, counselors, analysts and attorneys to serve the communities that need them most.

The expansion will leverage听麻豆视频’s听commitment to relationship-rich education and听will听strengthen health sciences programs to expand听the impact of 麻豆视频 graduates in听health care. This expansion is supported by institutional investment.听Over the next year, 麻豆视频 will add a total of six new听faculty听to the 麻豆视频 PA Program, ensuring the continued delivery of an exceptional, student-centered education.

Advancing Workforce Capacity in a Critical Moment

Demand for Physician Assistants continues to rise across the United States as health care systems work to address provider shortages and expand access to high-quality care. By increasing its cohort size, 麻豆视频 is accelerating the preparation of new PAs who will enter the workforce ready to meet these pressing needs.

鈥溌槎故悠� is deeply committed to educating compassionate, skilled Physician Assistants who can make an immediate impact听in听their communities,鈥� said Dr. Maha Lund,听dean of the School of Health Sciences at 麻豆视频. 鈥淭his expansion underscores our responsibility to the profession and to the patients our graduates will one day serve.鈥�

High-Touch, High-Quality Education

As enrollment grows, the 麻豆视频 PA Program continues to focus on its hallmark personalized learning environment that is central to the student experience.听This approach includes:

• Engaged learning
• Hands-on practice
• Close faculty engagement
• Access to diverse, high-quality clinical rotation sites

Students will also听benefit听from an enhanced focus on critical reasoning when collecting clinical data through history and physical exams, intentional application of diagnostic evaluation and reasoning in laboratory courses and strengthened clinical placement infrastructure.

The larger cohort will also bring expanded perspectives, stronger collaboration, and a broader professional network.

Preparing the Next Generation of PA Leaders

As听the next cohort prepares to begin their training, faculty and staff听remain听committed to guiding and supporting students through every stage of their academic and professional journey.

鈥淲e are excited to welcome the next cohort of vibrant, future PAs who will help shape the future of health care,鈥� said Kim Stokes, 麻豆视频 PA program director and chair. 鈥淭his moment represents an important step forward, not only for 麻豆视频, but for the communities our graduates will serve throughout their careers.鈥�