Univ of CO Physician Assistant Program

You know it’s almost the end of Summer Block for our first years, if Dave the Minion and his parents stop by the classroom for his well child check 😂😂.

First years, you’re almost to the finish line 🏁.

We are 4 weeks into Summer Block for our 1st years and we love having our amazing guest lecturers come back year after year and share their expertise. This week we are looking forward to Dr. Pan's lecture.

🌟 Guest Lecture Spotlight: Dr. Pan 🌟
Dr. Pan is a dedicated educator and expert in hematopathology who has been teaching with CHA/PA since 2022. Originally from the eastern coast of China, Dr. Pan earned a medical degree in Beijing before pursuing PhD training at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Today, his clinical practice focuses on the diagnosis of lymphoma and blood cancers, while also providing expertise in head and neck pathology and frozen section diagnosis.

Dr. Pan lectures on topics including Introduction to CBC/WBC, Anemia, and Myeloid Neoplasms for CHA/PA. His favorite part of teaching? Interacting with students and answering their questions, and helping them connect classroom concepts to clinical practice.

When he's not diagnosing complex blood disorders or teaching future PAs, Dr. Pan enjoys running, hiking, and scenic drives in the Colorado mountains. He especially loves Colorado's breathtaking mountains and vibrant fall foliage. A daily listener of Colorado Public Radio Classical, he appreciates having great music accompany his drives.

And for a fun fact: if Dr. Pan could be any organ in the human body, he would choose a lymph node because, as he puts it, "It's small but probably the most sophisticated organ in the human body."
We're grateful for Dr. Pan's expertise, enthusiasm, and commitment to educating the next generation of healthcare providers. Thank you, Dr. Pan, for all you do for our students and our community!

✨ Student Spotlight: Izzie C., PA-S3 ✨

Meet Izzie, a Denver native and Vanderbilt University alumna whose passion for neuroscience, global health, and patient advocacy has made the most of every opportunity during PA school.

After working as a patient care technician in infusion and oncology, Izzie chose CHA/PA for its unique 3-year spiral curriculum and supportive faculty. Most recently, she completed her pediatric neurosurgery rotation at Children’s Hospital Colorado, where she cared for patients with hydrocephalus, epilepsy, plagiocephaly, infections, and acute brain injuries and even had the opportunity to practice surgical knots and assist on a temporal lobectomy! 🧠

Outside of clinicals, Izzie is a member of the Global Health Track, completing a clinical rotation in Guatemala last summer and traveling to Tanzania this fall. She has also served as a Silver Society Community Service Chair and Cardiology Workgroup Leader at DAWN Clinic, reflecting her commitment to service and accessible healthcare for patients of all backgrounds.

When she’s not in the clinic, you’ll find her hiking Colorado 14ers, running, traveling, cheering on Survivor, or trying a new restaurant. Her go-to shift snack? Goldfish! 🧡

💙 Best advice from a preceptor: “Stay curious and be a sponge. Learning is a forever process—never be afraid to ask questions.”

We’re proud to celebrate all that Izzie has accomplished and can’t wait to see the impact she’ll continue to make as a future PA!

We love to see one of our own on the CAPA Member Spotlight! Read on to learn more about Faculty Member, Peggy Walsh Sheryka!

CAPA MEMBER SPOTLIGHT: PEGGY WALSH SHERYKA, PA-C!
This week, we are thrilled to spotlight Peggy Walsh Sheryka! From clinical practice in pediatric and surgical subspecialties to her role as a CHAPA faculty member, Peggy’s dedication to the PA profession shines through everything she does.
Beyond the clinic and classroom, Peggy is a powerhouse for PA advocacy, serving on the AAPA Board of Directors and working tirelessly to advance our profession at both the state and national levels. We are incredibly proud to have her leadership right here in Colorado!
Swipe up/Click the link in our bio to read more about Peggy’s journey and see how you can get involved with the CAPA community.
Drop a comment below to celebrate Peggy!

Happy first day of classes to our new PA-S1s! 🤍 Wishing you an incredible start to this journey. You belong here, and we can’t wait to watch you learn, grow, and shine over the next three years. Welcome to the CHA/PA family!

As the CHA/PA Class of 2027 enters their third year and begins clinical rotations, we are proud to celebrate a truly historic milestone within our program.

👏🏾 Join us in recognizing Hasim Adams, who will be the first Black male to matriculate through the CHA/PA program in the past 40 years.

With only 3.9% of PAs in primary care identifying as Black, the importance of representation in healthcare cannot be overstated. Diversity in the medical workforce directly impacts the health, trust, and outcomes of Black patients and communities.

As the outgoing President of Voices in Medicine, Hasim continues to lead with purpose—advocating for greater representation while serving as an inspiring role model for youth in our community. His dedication and passion truly embody what it means to make a difference.

🖤 Please join us in congratulating Hasim on this incredible achievement and wishing him continued success as he embarks on his clinical rotations!

✨ Staff Spotlight: Felicia Doherty✨

With our summer clinical rotations starting soon for our 2nd and 3rd years, we want to acknowledge members of the team that make sure our clinical rotations happen! Although many of you already know her, we’re excited to reintroduce **Felicia Doherty** and highlight the incredible impact she has on our Clinical team!

Felicia is a proud CHA/PA graduate (Class of 2013) who found her professional home in primary care at Denver Health. For over a decade, she has cared for patients in an outpatient Internal Medicine clinic, bringing compassion, expertise, and dedication to every interaction.

Felicia’s passion for education is just as strong. Since 2019, she has served as a **Site Director for CHA/PA students at Denver Health**, and in 2024 she expanded her reach as a **Clinical Site Educator**, partnering with sites across Denver and throughout Colorado. She loves supporting students at such a pivotal stage while collaborating with preceptors who are shaping the next generation of providers.

Outside of work, Felicia embraces adventure and creativity! You might find her baking sourdough, tending her family’s beehives, running (sometimes *very* long!) mountain distances, or exploring in a vintage camper with her husband, three children, and their beloved super mutt. 🐝🏔️🚐

We are so grateful to have Felicia on the CHA/PA team and thankful for the passion and dedication she brings to this important work every day!

👏 **Join us in celebrating Felicia!**