Monmouth University Physician Assistant Student Society

Home
United States
West Long Branch, NJ
Monmouth University Physician Assistant Student Society

The Monmouth University Physician Assistant Program is a three year Master of Science program consisting of didactic and clinical education.

10/09/2025

PA Week 2025! 💙🩺
As both current and future PAs, we are proud to represent and advocate for this profession each and every day.

01/31/2025

✨ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ✨
🕺🏽 Amanda Herro, PA-S1 🕺🏽

Undergraduate: Penn State (we are!)
Major: General Science
Hometown: Manasquan, NJ
Age: 24

Clinical Experience: Dermatology MA, CNA at an assisted living facility

Area(s) of interest: Dermatology, plastic surgery, emergency medicine

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. How does MU’s PA program stand out from other schools you considered?

For me, MU hugely stood out from other schools through its supportive faculty which was evident during my interview! I could immediately tell how much they cared and how encouraging they were. I feel thankful to be surrounded by those who are so determined to see us succeed. Also, MU is close to home and my support system which was important for me.

2. What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned about yourself since starting this program?

I can hold a whole lot more information in my brain than I previously thought I could

3. When you are not studying, how do you spend your time?

Reading (!!!!), trying new restaurants, working out, and spending time with friends and family

4. If you could only have one snack to fuel your study sessions forever, what would it be?

Swedish fish

01/23/2025

First-year PA students had their first clinical skills lab today, learning the essentials of sterile technique and surgical knots! 🩺

01/20/2025

‼️ STUDENT SPOTLIGHT ‼️
‼️ Robert Cahn, PA-S1 ‼️

Undergraduate: The College of New Jersey
Major: Biology
Hometown: Hopatcong, NJ
Age: 25

Clinical Experience: Ophthalmology Assistant, Medical Assistant, Clinical Research

Area(s) of interest: Cardiology, Internal Medicine, Surgery

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Why did you choose MU?

Our smaller class size creates a more personal and interactive learning environment. With fewer students, we get more direct attention from professors and have the chance to collaborate openly. Plus, who doesn’t love the beach.

2. What advice would you give to pre-PA or incoming PA students?

Don’t compare yourself to others. It’s so easy to get caught up in social media and feel like you’re not enough. Just stay true to yourself and don’t lose sight of what motivates you.

3. When you are not studying, how do you spend your time?

Going to the beach, spending time with friends, staying active, and cooking 🧑‍🍳

4. If you could only have one snack to fuel your study sessions forever, what would it be?

TRADER JOES PEANUT BUTTER PRETZEL NUGGETS

5. What’s your go-to karaoke jam?

Love Story (Taylor’s Version)

01/07/2025

🪩 Student Spotlight 🪩
🪩 Rachel Rza, PA-S1 🪩

Undergraduate: The Ohio State University
Major: Psychology
Hometown: Marlboro, NJ
Age: 22

Clinical Experience: Clinical Research Assistant in Orthopedics, Pediatric MA, Dermatology MA

Area(s) of interest: OBGYN, Dermatology, Reproductive Endocrinology

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Why did you choose MU?

I chose MU because it’s very close to home and I felt an immediate sense of community within the program. I value the program’s small class size which allows students to form close relationships with their classmates and professors. Being close to the beach is also a plus!

2. What advice would you give to pre-PA or incoming PA students?

My advice for pre-PA or incoming PA students is to not stress over the little things on your journey to becoming a PA. You will end up where you are meant to be, so focus on what you can control. Work on gaining clinical experiences in various fields, get your applications in early, and reach out to PA’s that you work with for advice and mentorship along the way. Do not compare yourself with others because you are on your own path to becoming the best PA!

3. When you are not studying, how do you spend your time?

Hanging out with friends and family, going to pilates, going for walks on the beach, and trying out new food spots!

4. What’s something on your bucket list that you haven’t done yet?

Skydiving!!! I love traveling and would love to go skydiving in a different country with beautiful sights.

5. Favorite quote?

“Personal growth is about progress, not perfection. Have the courage to be imperfect.”

12/20/2024

The 3rd year PA students learning to place central lines during call back week. Thanks to Jessica Cueva-Scarpelli, PA-C

12/17/2024

Our second years finished up their last day of didactic today by presenting their ethics posters! Next stop, white coat ceremony! 🥳🎉

11/14/2024

Professor Karpe worked with our second years, teaching them how to insert different types of chest tubes! 🫁💉🩻

11/12/2024

⚡️STUDENT SPOTLIGHT⚡️
⚡️Hunter Drake PA-S1⚡️

Undergrad: University of Maine
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Hudson, MA
Age: 28
Clinical Experience: Trauma ED, Special Care Nursery, Mother/Baby
Area(s) of interest: NICU, peds trauma

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. Why did you choose MU?

Many schools I considered required compromises in areas like class size, location, faculty engagement, or available resources. However, MU truly had it all. I feel daily support here and am so lucky to grow and learn with people dedicated to my success.

2. What advice would you give to pre-PA or incoming PA students?

What you create is what you will become. The PA-C you aspire to become is shaped by the minutes, hours, and years you invest in your education and experience for this profession. It’s not just something that is waiting for you at the end. The notion of putting your head down and getting through robs you of that perspective. It’s not always easy or fun, but it’s so rewarding. Please please please take the time to enjoy it.

3. When you are not studying, how do you spend your time?

Outside!! I’ve been in my runner girl era recently, but I also love beach walk & talks with pals. At home I enjoy cooking!

4. What’s something on your bucket list that you haven’t done yet?

A forever bucket list item of mine is to travel the world. The first time I left Massachusetts I was 18. In the 10 years since I’ve been lucky enough to visit 13/195 UN countries (roughly 7% of the world) & 33/50 of the US states!

5. Favorite quote?

“Do I deserve this?” “Am I worthy of this?”
So irrelevant. Do you want it?

11/12/2024

⚡️STUDENT SPOTLIGHT⚡️
⚡️Hunter Drake PA-S1⚡️

Undergrad: University of Maine
Major: Exercise Science
Hometown: Hudson, MA
Age: 28
Clinical Experience: Trauma ED, Special Care Nursery, Mother/Baby
Area(s) of interest: NICU, peds trauma

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Why did you choose MU?

Many schools I considered required compromises in areas like class size, location, faculty engagement, or available resources. However, MU truly had it all. I feel daily support here and am so lucky to grow and learn with people dedicated to my success.

2. What advice would you give to pre-PA or incoming PA students?

What you create is what you will become. The PA-C you aspire to become is shaped by the minutes, hours, and years you invest in your education and experience for this profession. It’s not just something that is waiting for you at the end. The notion of putting your head down and getting through robs you of that perspective. It’s not always easy or fun, but it’s so rewarding. Please please please take the time to enjoy it.

3. When you are not studying, how do you spend your time?

Outside!! I’ve been in my runner girl era recently, but I also love beach walk & talks with pals. At home I enjoy cooking!

4. What’s something on your bucket list that you haven’t done yet?

A forever bucket list item of mine is to travel the world. The first time I left Massachusetts I was 18. In the 10 years since I’ve been lucky enough to visit 13/195 UN countries (roughly 7% of the world) & 33/50 of the US states!

5. Favorite quote?

“Do I deserve this?” “Am I worthy of this?”
So irrelevant. Do you want it?

11/06/2024

✨STUDENT SPOTLIGHT✨
✨ Haley Godwin PA-S1 ✨

Undergrad: University of Virginia
Major: Kinesiology
Hometown: Charlotte, NC
Age: 24
Clinical Experience: Orthopedic MA, Dermatology MA
Area(s) of interest: Orthopedics

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1. Why did you choose MU?

I chose MU for several reasons. The small class size allows you to get to really get to know your professors and bond with everyone in your class. The sim lab at MU is also fantastic! It’s definitely a unique part of the experience at Monmouth that will benefit all of us as future PAs.

2. What advice would you give to pre-PA or incoming PA students?

Gather some diverse experience! Try working in a specialized field as well as a broader practice such as primary care. Learn about different techniques and skills, but also about how different healthcare systems work and function. Having clinical experience in different roles across different specialties will not only help you out during interviews and the application process, but will make you that much more prepared when you learn about those specialties during your didactic years.

3. When you are not studying, how do you spend your time?

I love going for long runs and exploring my new home in New Jersey! When I moved here from North Carolina, I knew very little about the area. I take every opportunity I can to go for a hike, take an afternoon walk on the beach, or jump on the train for a quick weekend trip to New York. When I’m not outside exploring, I’m usually trying my hand at baking or watching DWTS with school friends :)

4. What’s something on your bucket list that you haven’t done yet?

I would love to live abroad at some point in my life! Hopefully somewhere in Spain so that I can continue to practice my Spanish.

5. Favorite quote?

“You know what things do? They work out.”

Address

185 NJ-36 Building C
West Long Branch, NJ
07764

Website

https://www.monmouth.edu/graduate/ms-physician-assistant/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Monmouth University Physician Assistant Student Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to Monmouth University Physician Assistant Student Society:

Shortcuts

Want your university to be the top-listed University in West Long Branch?

Monmouth University Physician Assistant Student Society

10/09/2025

01/31/2025

01/23/2025

01/20/2025

01/07/2025

12/20/2024

12/17/2024

11/14/2024

11/12/2024

11/12/2024

11/06/2024

Address

Website

Alerts

Contact The University

Shortcuts

Share

Category