BUTLER UNIVERSITY
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAGAZINE
BUTLER UNIVERSITY
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAGAZINE
Dear Butler PA Family,
As the leaves begin to turn and undergraduate students continue their fall semester on campus, we are reminded of the change and growth that comes with each new season. It is with excitement and pride that I welcome you to the 2024 edition of our Alumni Magazine, a publication dedicated to celebrating the achievements, stories, and ongoing journey of our PA program’s inspirational students and graduates.
In this edition, we are thrilled to share several stories that highlight the diverse paths our alumni have taken. From urban hospitals to mission trips, from academia to specialized practices, your experiences underscore the versatility and impact of a physician assistant education. We are featuring profiles of some of our outstanding graduates, updates on program developments, and opportunities for you to engage with the program and each other through upcoming events and initiatives.
We hope this magazine serves as a bridge, connecting you with your peers and with the institution that played a pivotal role in your professional journey. Your accomplishments and feedback are invaluable to us, and we encourage you to stay connected, share your stories, and continue to be active members of our vibrant community.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to excellence and for the many ways you contribute to the betterment of healthcare. Here’s to another season of growth, learning, and making a difference together. Go Dawgs!
Betsy Schmidt, DMS, PA-C ’99 Associate Professor Department of PA Studies, Chair PA Program Director
P.S. If you are coming to a Butler Basketball game this season and haven’t bought tickets, join me in Section 306, or just stop by and say “hi.” I would love to see you!
UNIVERSITY
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT MAGAZINE
page 4
CONGRATULATIONS CLASS of 2024
page 5
DOCTOR of MEDICAL SCIENCE GRADUATES
page 7
MISSION TRIP page 10-11
PRECEPTOR SPOTLIGHTS
page 12
CLASS of 2004 HIGHLIGHTS
page 17
FACULTY, ALUMNI, and STUDENT PUBLICATIONS
We would also like to congratulate the graduates of the DMS Bridge and the DMS Program!
Doctor of Medical Science (DMS) Graduates:
Summer 2023
Toby Brower
Christy Kerr
Megan Cannon
Priscylla Carvalho
Katelyn Castiglia
Taylor Christiansen
Colleen Clifford
Philip Clifton
Nnamdi Ofodile
Jemimah Omavuezi
Victoria Peck
Naveera Qureshi
Logan Ratts
Sierra Reighard
Krista Wise-Wroblewski
Fall 2023
Dawn Back
Jared Files
Tiffany Hayter
Christine McCormick
Chynna Cuellar
Justine Danielson
Kayla Day
Stephanie Dorestant
Aleah Dorman
Andre dos Santos
Alexander Rigione
Kaitlyn Roeda
Regan Roetken
Nour Safa
Kristin Sato
Olivia Scott
Maria Francesca Zampogna Wilson
Spring 2024
Jessica Alexander
Megan Beaudoin
Hope Bollig
Elizabeth Ehlers
Yousra Elsir
Michaela Espadas
Ellyn Fritz
Gibson Gamel
Isabella Gieck
Kennedi Seals
Nyssa Seaton
Deanna Sgambato
Courtney Sheffield
Katherine Shelford
Shannon Shieh
Scott Brown
Liz Brownlee
Alina Cherry
Bret Cornn
Jaclyn Demeter
Tami Gaishin
Rajkamal Gill
Cierra Griggs-Bradley
Arely Hernandez
Devin Hiller
Nazreenbanu Jolly
Leon Jonas
Parker Short
Alexandra Smith
Elizabeth Sobieski
Danielle Solak
Hannah Sonner
Lauren Souza
Amber Gath
Eunice Goetz
Melissa Groff
Jordan Horn
Mary Kate Kenney
Holly Knuckles
Michelle Jugovich
Jennifer Kalash
Naaol Kebede
Sarah Kirsch
Emma-Li Kissinger
Spencer Klimek
Paul Stevenson
Paul Stiverson
Jennifer Stroop
Jonathan Strope
Leia Sullivan
Melissa Talabis
Kelly Lueders
Steven Meeks
Sheri Rodgers
Jill Schmidt
Robert White
Tonya Williamson-Leon
Catherine Klostermann
Tannette Knox
Vivian Koufogazos
Zachary Lewis
Weilong Li
Annie Lo
Shavanna Tappin
Jasmine Thomas
Taylor Thorpe
Aman Tineh
Emerald Todd
Kingsley Ugochukwu
DMS Bridge Graduates (since 2023 publication)
Mirley Adolphe
Parion Alexander
Excel Barayuga
Corbin Barocas
Alexander (Alex) Barszcz
Jordan Beckley
Kristin Brockler
Dorreen Brune
Emily Burchette
Christina Bush
Patrick Lowery
Cyrus Ma
Mark Mangkhalakhili
Keith McCormick
Madeline McDonald
Allison Miller
Georgia Miller
Christina Minenna
Haley Minich
Jacob (Jake) Mogg
Madison Mullen
Sara Munns
Ariana O’Malley
Lauren Unruh
Janessa Vail
Pamela Vayda
Alexis Weathers
Haley Weiner
Zachary West
Alyse Westbrooks
Peyton Westcott
Clayton Williams
Brooke Wold
Roger (Derrick) Woods
Idalia Zachara
At various points during the clinical year, these MPAS2 students were recognized for distinctive performance, attitude, and/or knowledge:
Nolan Ahearn
Lauren Davis
Connor Doherty
Paige Gkekas
Nick Hooley
Brandon Hunsberger
David Jenkins
Sadie Mann
Paige Patterson
During spring break, students from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences volunteered to participate in the second annual medical mission trip to the Dominican Republic. The faith-based organization Casa Misionera and 23 Butler team members partnered to carry out a Christian Leadership Program for budding medical professionals who provided care to several local communities. Free clinics set up in La Represa, El Batey, and Guaricanos served 757 patients over seven days. There were 387 blood pressure screenings, 1,035 diagnoses made, 74 patient referrals, and 2320 prescriptions filled. Faculty advisors and other providers who accompanied students to the DR guided them as they endeavored to build upon their medical skills and grow spiritually, putting their faith into practice.
The Butler team was made up of practicing PAs and Pharmacists, a nurse, and COPHS PA, Pharmacy, and BSHS students. If you would like to join the Butler team, who will serve alongside Casa Misionera March 8–16, 2025, please reach out to Professor Trish Devine at tdevine@butler.edu. Donations of supplies and/or monetary offerings are also accepted and much appreciated.
Education: BS, Biology, Anderson University, Anderson, IN 2014 • MSM, Trevecca Nazarene University, Nashville, TN 2018
Workplace: Community Health Network Gastroenterology Care
What led you to the PA profession?
I grew up in the small town of Harrod, Ohio, and attended Anderson University for premed. I had not heard of a PA before, but I met a friend who planned to pursue PA school as her mom was PA. My interest was piqued, and I spent all night in my dorm room researching the curriculum and profession and learning that it had all the things that I loved about medicine but was without all of the things I dreaded about the idea of medical school.
What led you to Gastroenterology?
I had an interest in GI, but when I moved here and hired on with Community in 2018, there was not a position available in GI so I began working part-time as a hospitalist/nocturnist. Shortly after they approached me to add on part-time days in GI. When my wife became pregnant, I requested to move to fulltime days in GI and did so beginning in March 2020.
Why did you become a preceptor?
I have always loved teaching and remember its impact on me as a student. My favorite and best preceptors were not so for the medical knowledge but the non-medical; they showed me what it looks like to care for the human being and not just their anatomy. I was blessed to witness this and wanted to pass that on.
Favorite thing about precepting students:
Anyone can learn the medicine, but helping students become passionate providers who take care of their patients is what I stress. We, as PAs, have an extremely unique role in that we have time to sit with patients and educate and care for them beyond the medicine. Not every student who comes through wants to pursue GI, but I want them to be mindful of the fact that they are taking care of someone’s someone. I stress the humanity side even more.
Since June of 2022, Josh has served as a preceptor to 15 Butler students. Comments from a few of those students who were in his care show that his example was felt and appreciated.
“I believe that Josh’s patients always felt heard and taken care of.”
“I appreciated that if a patient seemed frustrated about their situation, Josh didn’t just ignore it. He addressed their feelings so that the patient could see that he was on their side.”
“Josh truly lets patients participate in their care to weigh their options and decide for themselves what would put them at peace.”
Josh lives in Fishers, IN with his wife, Shoshannah, and their two boys, Zion (age 4) and Asher (age 2).
Education: BS, Health Science, Gannon University, Erie, PA, 2010 MPAS, Gannon University, Erie, PA, 2011
Doctor of Medical Science, Butler University, 2022
Workplace: Lutheran Health RediMed, Fort Wayne, IN
What led you to the PA profession?
I don’t know; I kind of love taking care of people. Maybe being the older sister to two siblings influenced me and having four aunts who are nurses. I always knew I wanted to go into the healthcare field but not sure where. At the same time, I knew medical school and nursing was not for me. As a teenager, I had a PA provider, looked into it, and applied. I think I surprised my parents when I accepted a spot in PA school as this was not on my radar or theirs.
Why did you become a preceptor?
When I started practicing, I was not prepared to take students. Still, the physician I worked for in a Family Medicine clinic in Pennsylvania took students all the time, so therefore I was expected to take students and now it is natural to do so.
Why do you continue to take on students?
I feel that I get so much out of it. I am constantly getting a refresher course in even the most mundane things, such as blood pressure meds. Having students helps me stay current on USPSTF guidelines, and such, as so much in medicine changes all the time.
Besides, the students have been amazing! Butler PA students are just a different group of people. Patients really enjoy them, especially those patients who love to talk. Even the clinic staff will say, “Your student is leaving already?” They are sad to see them go. You can tell that the standards are high at Butler; students come well-prepared even for their first rotation.
Since June 2020, I have had 14 Butler students; my second, Andrea Brune, is now my RediMed colleague. I feel like I am a sister to them and can be a support to them, and they can call me years later.
Jennifer Myers lives in Fort Wayne, IN, with her husband, Brandon, and their four children ages 9, 7, 5, and 17 months.
PRECEPTING is a WAY of:
Supporting the Butler University PA Program
Contributing to the development of a future professional colleague
Attaining personal satisfaction and professional growth
Earning CME credits
Joining the ranks of Butler University’s Affiliate Faculty
Interested in becoming a Butler University PA Preceptor?
Fill out this Preceptor Form or email Karen Corby, Experiential Education Liaison at kcorby@butler.edu
After graduation, I returned to my hometown in Wisconsin, married my best friend, Toby Trochinski, and began working with ThedaCare Physicians. I started out in the Walk-In Clinic/ Resource Team and transitioned to primary care. I then worked for two years in internal medicine before transferring to a rural family practice clinic in Wautoma, WI, in 2010. I absolutely love my practice and the small community. I am the APC Lead for our call group and sit on ThedaCare’s APC Leadership Council and Primary Care Leadership Council. Toby and I have two children, ages 16 and 14. We all volunteer for our local church and the Special Olympics of Wisconsin chapter. In the warmer months, I love being outdoors, hiking, fishing, kayaking, and playing sand volleyball. I will snuggle up with a good book or watch a movie in the winter months.
After graduation, I immediately started working in the Emergency Department in Muncie, Indiana. After completing a year there, I moved to Family Practice which I enjoyed greatly. However, in October 2012, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and underwent surgery. The surgery did not go well, and I was left with bilateral vocal cord paralysis for two months. Eventually, one vocal cord began working, but I had so many other issues relating to the surgery that I was unable to continue working. I have since moved to Florida, first to Destin, and then Fort Myers for the past five years. We are loving life in SW Florida, where both our children live with their spouses. I am also the proud grandma of a grandson, Carter, and another grandson, due in October. Retirement has been good to us.
I have lived in Carmel, IN, and worked in hand surgery for the same practice, the Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center, since graduation. I have spent a large amount of that time participating in clinical research and served as a sub-investigator and study coordinator for several clinical trials. My husband and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary. We have four children who keep us very busy with activities and sports.
For a few years after graduation, I worked in outpatient psychiatry in Carmel. I then moved to Miami, working in the inpatient setting with traumatic brain injury patients. After nine years of that work, I landed back in Indianapolis and have been with a Consult Psychiatry team at IU Health University Hospital. I am the APP Team Lead for the Department of Psychiatry and also direct the Psychiatry Track of the IU Health APP Fellowship Program.
Personally, my husband, Brian Sedam (PharmD ’04), and I finally tied the knot in 2020 after 17 years together. We met at Butler under the tennis bubble and have been inseparable ever since. We started the adoption process and were fortunate to be matched with our adorable newborn son, Oliver, in early July 2023. Life hasn’t been the same since and we wouldn’t have it any other way.
I have been working in inpatient cardiology for the last five years at St. Vincent Heart Center. Prior to that, I worked four years with Ascension in thoracic surgery, and prior to that, I spent 11 years at Methodist Hospital working in cardiothoracic surgery. I have lived in Carmel, IN for the last 15 years. My wife Leah and I have three children, ages 15, 11, and 9. I enjoy coaching my kids in sports, spending time with friends, and traveling.
Urgent Care–Indiana Immediate Care
Voted on by the Class of 2024, here are a few remarks from students who he mentored:
“I got to experience and do so much under the guidance of Alec. I learned not only about evaluating and treating different conditions but also how to communicate with patients confidently to help with buy-in of the treatment plan.”
“Alec was knowledgeable and easy to get along with. Allowed a healthy level of autonomy in terms of seeing patients and making decisions but was always there to answer questions.”
“Alec is a fantastic preceptor who greatly contributed to my educational knowledge and clinical experience while treating me as a colleague and friend rather than an inferior. Alec made me enjoy coming to work every day. I was able to take away so much from this rotation and would highly recommend Alec to future students.”
“I had an awesome experience at Indiana Immediate Care and learned so much. Alec is a great teacher and provided me with lots of hands-on experiences. Grateful I had the opportunity to work with this team!”
Emergency Medicine–St. Elizabeth Health, Lafayette, IN
Voted on by the Class of 2024, here are a few remarks from students who she mentored: “Amazing facility and rotation. Very happy to have had Kate Kaiser to help advance my knowledge of emergency medicine.”
“I really enjoyed working with Kate! She was a thoughtful provider for her patients and she created a very welcoming environment for students with lots of opportunities to learn. The rotation was certainly one of my favorites!”
“I cannot speak highly enough about Kate Kaiser. She gives thorough, fast, exceptional care to her patients and does a great job of teaching while doing it. I was able to see my own patients and do my own procedures, but I knew there was always someone there doublechecking my work. I learned so much from her and the rest of her team!”
“Kate organized such a wonderful rotation experience for me. Through the PAs and physicians she would pair me with, it allowed me the opportunity to learn from many different people and experiences. Kate is a fantastic PA. Her wealth of knowledge and experience in the ER is truly unmatched by any APP I’ve worked with in an ER setting.”
In the fall of 2023, we welcomed Kevin Bogenschutz to the PA Program Faculty. He is a 2017 graduate of the Butler PA Program and a 2023 graduate of Butler’s Doctor of Medical Science Program. He served as Senior Clinical Director at Pike Medical Consultants before returning to Butler to join the faculty. Professor Bogenschutz continues to work one day per week in clinic as well as volunteer at the Near West Free Clinic of which he is one of the founding providers. In his free time, you may find Professor Bogenschutz travelling to national parks with his wife (also a PA!) and two daughters.
In the fall of 2023, we welcomed Jaclyn Demeter to the PA Program Faculty. She is a 2016 graduate of the Butler PA Program and a May 2024 graduate of Butler’s Doctor of Medical Science Program. Clinically, she worked as a PA in Orthopaedic Spine Surgery in Indianapolis and served as a preceptor to PA students. Professor Demeter is passionate about teaching and mentoring PA students through all stages of their PA education and career. When she is not in the classroom, you will find Professor Demeter enjoying the outdoors or participating in triathlon swim, bike, and run activities.
In the Summer of 2024, we re-welcomed Chris Roman to the PA Program Faculty. Chris was a member of the program faculty from 2014 to 2023, when he left to take a role as a Medical Science Liaison with a pharmaceutical company. Chris is excited to be back at Butler and is thinking about writing a song about not knowing what you’ve got till it’s gone if such a song does not already exist.
A 2021 graduate of Butler’s DMS Program, Chris enjoys mentoring Capstone students as well as teaching in a variety of didactic courses. Clinically, he works part-time at a local urgent care clinic, where he precepts Butler PA students during their experiential year. Professor Roman is passionate about teaching and supporting PA students through all stages of their PA education and career. He conducts research on a variety of topics, but mainly focuses on studying the wellbeing and mental health of PAs and PA students. When not at work, Chris enjoys reading, attempting to get in shape, and trying to keep up with his two boys (11 and 13).
Heather joined the PA Program in January 2024 as the Academic Program Coordinator. She enjoys the variety of tasks this position provides, especially setting up the Lab, helping with OSCE’s, and trips to Campus Impressions. On any given day you may find Heather proctoring an exam, contacting standardized patients, filling out verification forms for former students, or unearthing lab supplies in an out-of-the-way basement closet. Outside of Butler, Heather loves spending time in nature, reading, painting, and being with her family.
Katherine ’14 is thrilled to have had the opportunity to come back to the Butler community and joined the Experiential Learning team during the Spring 2024 semester as an Administrative Specialist. She assists the team with onboarding, exams, data management, and technological support. Prior to Butler, Katherine was a kindergarten teacher and technology leader in her district. Katherine spends most of her free time reading, listening to music, hanging out with her dog, and enjoying musical theater performances.
ALLISON ERMOL, DHPE, PA-C, is a graduate of the Doctor of Health Professions Education program at Logan University, and she obtained her Master of Medical Science from Arcadia University’s Physician Assistant program. Dr. Ermol has practiced clinically as a physician assistant in a variety of healthcare settings, including prison health, family medicine, emergency care, college health, gynecology, and surgery. After more than a decade in clinical care, she began her career in PA education and academia in 2018. Her leadership roles have included assessment, accreditation, curriculum development, student success, and remediation.
Dr. Ermol was awarded the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion award from Logan University in 2022. She is an active member of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and has served in several roles with the Delaware Academy of Physician Assistants (DAPA) and Georgia Academy of Physician Assistants (GAPA). She has presented and published nationally and has research interests in the application of educational technologies to support evidence-based learning techniques, Universal Designs for Learning (UDL), and student remediation in medical education.
The MPAS program hosted it’s first annual PA For a Day on February 19th. This event was designed for children ages 2-10. Attendees were seen by a PA Student for a history and ear, nose, and throat exam before heading to the basement for the activity fair. There were seven different activity stations to choose from including oral care, healthy eating, prepping for surgery, and making splints. We are looking forward to PA For a Day 2025 on February 17th. If you’d like to receive an invitation, please email paprogram@butler.edu to get on the list.
Assistant Professor Anne Geary, MPAS, PA-C (’15) and Assistant Professor and Butler Medical Science Librarian Brittany Heer, MLIS: Clinical Physician Assistant Students’ Perceptions of Evidence-Based Medicine Resources: A Cross-Sectional Examination
Associate Professor Renee Andreeff, EdD, PA-C, DFAAPA and her daughter Autumn Andreeff: New and Traditional Treatment Options for Idiopathic Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents
Jared Files, DMS, PA-C (’23): Fever in infants ages 8 to 60 days: An updated guideline for evaluation
Assistant Professor Kevin Bogenschutz, DMS, PA-C (’17 and ’23): Preceptor Tools for Success: Student Review on Creating an Effective Clinical Rotation
Adjunct Folusho Ogunfiditimi, DM, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA: A mission to press forward
Associate Professor Betsy Schmidt, DMS, PA-C (’99 and ’23): A practical guide to managing genitourinary syndrome of menopause in primary care
Charles Carim, DMS, PA-C (’22 ): Substance Use Among Physician Assistant Students: A National Study on the Prevalence of Alcohol, Tobacco, Illicit Substances, and Medication Use
Associate Professor Cody Sasek, PhD, PA-C and Professor Brenda Quincy, PhD, MPH, PA-C DFAAPA: Physician Assistant Student Perceptions of the Benefits of and Barriers to a Doctor of Medical Science Degree
Professor and Associate Dean Jennifer Snyder, PhD, MPAS, PA-C (’97) and Professor Brenda Quincy, PhD, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA: Accreditation Outcomes: Does Program Director Experience Matter?
Assistant Professor Carol Sitzman, MPAS, PA-C (’96) and Professor Brenda Quincy, PhD, MPH, PA-C, DFAAPA: The role of primary care in improving health outcomes in young foster children
Rick Dehn, MPA, PA-C, and Dr. Jennifer Zorn, two members of the research team presenting their poster at PAEA in New Orleans, LA, October 2023
DMS student Nathan Kasting, PA-C and Dr. Jennifer Zorn at PAOS (PAs in Orthopedic Surgery) in Indianapolis, IN, August 2023
Professor Dan Sturm [Left], Associate Dean Jennifer Snyder [second from left], and Kelly (Burger) Fisher CO ’09 [third from left] representing Indiana at the House of Delegates meeting held during the AAPA Conference in May 2024
DMS student Aislinn Hopkins, PA-C at PAEA in New Orleans, October 2023
DMS Bridge Program Director Cody Sasek, PhD, PA-C, speaking on Doctorate Dilemmas for the PA Student: Advising Students on Doctoral Degrees at AAPA 2024
Eunice Goetz, PA-C (Spring 2024 DMS graduate), and Katie Coby Butler’s DMS Program Coordinator at GAPA (Georgia Association of PAs) in Hilton Head, SC, July 2023
CO ’08 Ashley (Brenden) Vitale, PA-C and Dr. Jennifer Zorn at AAPA conference, Houston, TX, May 2024
Founding DMS Program Director Dr. Jennifer Snyder, MPAS Professor Carol Sitzman, DMS student Colette Clayton, DMS Program Director Dr. Jennifer Zorn, Dr. Jenna Rolfs, and DMS Bridge student Nour Safa at Women in Philanthropy Event during AAPA conference in Houston, TX, May 2024
Butler University held its Annual Day of Giving on February 28, 2024. Faculty and staff of the PA Program agreed to a retro version of a JCPenney Photo Studio photoshoot that would only be revealed to the public if a certain amount of gifts were given to the college that day. People certainly stepped up, and their generosity well overshadowed the awkwardness of these photos.