Duke Physician Assistant Program

"This moment to pause and reflect revealed that by getting wrapped up in the nature of exams, hard clinical schedules, a remediation, or simply moving from one rotation to the next, I had almost forgotten my why.

Thus, this experience has been a turning point in my PA school education, grounding me when I needed it most—for which I am eternally grateful. I encourage anyone interested in the slightest in global health or a non-traditional elective to apply for the global health elective. I promise you won’t regret it."

Read more about Daren’s global rotation experience below:
https://medschool.duke.edu/blog/second-year-student-blog-daren-solis

We loved seeing DPAP faculty, staff, and students in Nola for the 2026 AAPA Conference! Our faculty had a strong presence with presentations, and the Class of 2026 did an awesome job representing the program through research and posters in their first year attending.

On the competition side, both our Challenge Bowl and iScan teams showed up, with iScan advancing to the finals after placing second in round one.

Keep an eye on our website for an upcoming blog to read more!

And we have another successful Burton Elementary visit! For more than 20 years, DPAP has visited Burton Elementary School to share health education and hands-on activities. A few weeks ago, our first-year students kept that tradition going with interactive stations/games, and a fun Lorax-themed skit.

One of our students shared, “We saw that the students had so much fun and weren’t even upset that they ‘missed recess for this’!”

Read the blog for more!
https://medschool.duke.edu/blog/day-burton-class-2027

Partner With Us as a Clinical Preceptor!

Duke PA Program Mission Statement:

Equip learners to deliver equitable patient-centered care by providing an innovative primary care-focused curriculum, expanding and strengthening community partnerships, and developing leaders in the PA profession.

Clinical Preceptor/Site Requirements:

Please note, the Duke PA Program requires a minimum of two years of clinical experience for all preceptors. Prior precepting experience is not required as the program will provide onboarding support throughout the placement process and offers ongoing preceptor and professional development.
Clinical preceptors can include physicians (MD, DO), PAs, nurse practitioners, and certified nurse midwives.

Curriculum:

The Duke PA Program is a 24-month program that includes didactic and clinical phases. During the clinical phase, students complete 12 months of rotations that are each 4 weeks in length and include:

Behavioral Medicine*
Emergency Medicine
Evidence Based Practice II
Internal Medicine A (either A or B must be inpatient)
Internal Medicine B
Obstetrics & Gynecology *
Pediatrics*
Primary Care A
Primary Care B
Principles of Surgery*
clinical electives

*Highest areas of need for clinical placements

All students complete at least one rotation in a rural or underserved community. Rotations begin in early August and end in late July each year.

Sign up here:
https://duke.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_czRvNUmvf1EntWK

Shoutout to second-year student Hamed, who was featured in a series of profiles by the School of Medicine celebrating 2026 graduates across the school. We love to see it!

Read his profile here:
https://medschool.duke.edu/blog/hamed-akrami-master-health-sciences-physician-assistant

Come join us at the Virtual PA Admissions Fair tomorrow. We’ll be available via chat from 11–2 to answer questions about the program.

Registration is free, and you’ll have the chance to connect with our admissions team and other schools represented.

More info here: https://www.careereco.com/events/pa-May12

"...I want to chat to people who are applying to PA school and people who are in the middle of PA school and say,

You are working very hard. You are gazing diligently and diving deeply into pre-reqs and patient care hours, physical exam skills and pharmacology. Endeavoring to become a PA is a big deal, and you may be weighing the focus that’s required to achieve this goal against all the other delightful things you’re giving up in order to make the PA vision happen. "

Read more from second‑year student Marissa Mattys here:
https://medschool.duke.edu/blog/second-year-student-blog-marissa-mattys

Last Friday, we held our DPAP Job Fair for the Class of 2026. With only a few months until graduation, students are getting ready to enter the workforce.
Thanks to all the recruiters and employers who joined us and helped students build connections and grow their professional networks!

This Wednesday was Administrative Professionals Day at Duke, and we want to take a moment to recognize and celebrate our DPAP Administrative Professionals.

We're so grateful for the care and support you bring to the program every day. Your work keeps everything running smoothly and makes a real difference for our students, faculty, and community.

Thank you for all that you do. We appreciate you!

We are proud to recognize Jacquetta Melvin as associate program director of the Duke Physician Assistant Program!

With her expertise and dedication to education and patient care, we look forward to seeing the impact she will make in her new role.

Read more here:

Jacquetta Melvin Promoted as Associate Program Director of the Duke Physician Assistant Program In November, following April Stouder, EdD, MHA, PA-C, who transitioned to Program Director and Division Chief, Jaquetta Melvin, MPH, PA-C, was promoted to Associate Program Director. Alongside her new role, Melvin continues to serve as Director of Clinical Education and is an Assistant Professor in....