UC San Diego School of Medicine

Meet the 30 newest members of the Atkinson Physician Assistant Education Program! 🥼🤝

The 29-month Master of Advanced Study in Physician Assistant Studies degree program provides the necessary training for students to immediately enter the physician assistant (PA) workforce upon graduation. The program recently formally welcomed the Class of 2028 at the White Coat Ceremony, where the ceremonial donning of a white coat marks an important transition from student to clinician.

Barbara Jung, MD, associate vice chancellor and dean of the School of Medicine, urged the students to keep that passion, while also taking advantage of all the expertise and resources that abound at the School of Medicine.

“You are joining an incredible institution that is dedicated to advancing health care and improving the lives of the communities we serve," said Dr. Jung, MD, in her remarks. "Approach all opportunities during PA school with curiosity and an eagerness to learn. Remember that being a physician assistant isn’t just about acquiring the technical knowledge heal people. It is also about developing relationships with your patients and health care colleagues that are grounded in empathy, compassion and understanding.”

Read full story ➡️ https://today.ucsd.edu/photo-essays/white-coat-ceremony-marks-the-beginning-of-a-new-journey-for-pa-students

Image descriptions:
1. The PA Class of 2028 poses in the are situated behind the MET Building, called the Sanford Courtyard.
2. PA students wearing white coats cheer for their classmates in the Ong Family Auditorium.
3. PA students read the Hippocratic Oath from their programs in the Ong Family Auditorium.
4. A student shakes the hand of a faculty member after being cloaked with their white coat.
5. Dean Barbara Jung, MD, addresses the PA students from the podium.
6. A student wearing white coat smiles surrounded by family and a pet.
7. A student is cloaked with their white coat by a faculty member.
8. A student poses with a faculty member after being cloaked with their white coat.

We now pronounce you Doctor and Doctor! 💍🎓 🔔

Evan Ashcraft, MD and Anika (Christofferson) Ashcraft, MD, got married just a few weeks before they walked at their MD commencement, which was fitting: they met here at UC San Diego School of Medicine. 💙

“We met at the brewery in grad housing the week before orientation during our MS1 year," said Anika. "We bonded over our love of the outdoors and endurance sports, and by the end of orientation, we went on our first date at the beach!"

"Medical school can have some high highs and some low lows, but having your best friend and partner alongside you, facing the same challenges, is a pretty special experience. We supported each other through board exams, clinical rotations, sub-internships, and a couples match, while getting engaged during our MS3 year. We got married just before commencement!"

Drs. Ashcraft will begin their residency journeys at UC San Diego, where Evan matched in Emergency Medicine and Anika matched in OB/GYN.

"They say that the people make the place, and UC San Diego is absolutely no different. We met the most amazing friends, residents, faculty and each other at this institution and we are grateful to spend another four years together here for residency!”

Congratulations, Drs. Ashcraft!

Image descriptions:
1: Anika and Evan pose smiling holding teddy bears facing each other, each wearing regalia.
2. Anika and Evan's wedding photo.
3. Anika and Evan pose for a selfie in Graduate & Family Housing
4. Anika and Evan holding match signs. Their signs read, "I MATCHED! In Emergency Med () at UC San Diego" (Evan) and "I MATCHED! In OBGYN ( and )
at UC San Diego" (Anika)

We are so proud that Neurosciences PhD graduate Cynthia Nyongesa was one of the commencement speakers. Congratulations, Class of 2026!

They pulled late nights in Geisel Library, ran predictive AI models, navigated the campus as transfer and first-generation scholars, and found community in the spaces between lectures and labs. They represent different colleges, departments and backgrounds, but they share one defining trait: resilience.

At this year’s All Campus Commencement on June 13, a few graduating Tritons will reflect on the ideas, values and relationships that shaped their journeys.

Ahead of that moment, the speakers share some highlights from their speeches and how UC San Diego served as their launchpad: https://bit.ly/4xnKhP1

The School of Medicine's annual literary arts magazine, The Human Condition, has officially released their 2026 edition! 📖

Dedicated to showcasing creative endeavors of the School of Medicine community and promoting artistic and humanistic ventures, the Human Condition features art, photography, written prose, music and more as a forum for the creative work of medical students, residents, and faculty of the UC San Diego School of Medicine. The magazine recently hosted an art show, highlighting featured art from the magazine.

Edited by School of Medicine students, the 2026 issue is now available for online viewing.

🎨 Read the 2026 issue of The Human Condition at the link in our bio.

Image descriptions:
1: A medical student poses with a poster board featuring the cover of the 2026 Human Condition Magazine.
2. A 3D piece of floral art on display at the art exhibition.
3. A collection of glass fish art on display at the art exhibition.
4. An embroidered art piece of the ocean on display at the art exhibition.
5. A photo of the sunset and clouds on display at the art exhibition.
6. Two medical student editors pose with the 2026 Human Condition Magazine.

As the new physicians crossed the stage at the UC San Diego School of Medicine's Doctor of Medicine commencement, family and friends beamed with pride, reflecting on the years of dedication that led to this milestone moment.

Among the graduates were several students whose journeys at UC San Diego began long before medical school. They arrived as undergraduates, discovered mentors and lifelong friends, developed a passion for medicine and research, and ultimately chose to continue their education at the School of Medicine. Now, as they begin residency training across the country, they carry forward a legacy of service, discovery and compassionate care.

Read more about the MD Class of 2026 ⬇️ https://go.ucsd.edu/4fyVt56