Name: David R. Baker
Hometown:  Fort Wayne, IN
Academic Background: A.S. in Chemical Methods and B.S. in Biology from Purdue University Fort Wayne (IPFW)

Healthcare Background: 1 year working at Community East Hospital in Indianapolis as a transporter; 3 years working as a diagnostic imaging assistant at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, 1 year working as a CNA certified Unit Assistant in the Coronary Medical Intensive Care Unit at Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne

Professional Goals: To practice as a PA-C.  I am currently interested in cardiology and emergency medicine; however, I am looking forward to clinical rotations and am open to other areas of medicine that might interest me at that time.

Name:  Rebecca Church
Hometown: Tecumseh, MI
Academic Background: B.S in Nursing from Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan.

Healthcare Background:  I worked as a Nurse Technician for one year at St John Hospital & Medical Center in Detroit.  I also have worked as a Medical Assistant for Northwest Ohio Cardiology Consultants in Toledo, Ohio, for one summer. 

Professional Goals: My goal is to excel as a dedicated and respected PA-C.  I have an initial interest in cardiology, or internal medicine, but this may change as I transition into my clinical rotations and experience the various areas of medicine.

Name:  Todd Drayer
Hometown: Bluffton, IN
Academic Background: A.S. in Chemical Methods, B.S. in Biology from Purdue University – Fort Wayne (IPFW)

Healthcare Background: Pharmacy Tech for 3.5 years at Matthew 25 Health Clinic.  EMT-B certified.

Professional Goals: I am unsure what specific area of medicine I would like to practice in, therefore my goal is to have a strong foundation of knowledge that will allow me to be flexible.  I am interested in helping underserved populations.

Name:  Lea Dunn
Hometown:  San Diego, CA
Academic Background:  BA in Biological Psychology from Mills College in Oakland, CA.

Healthcare Background:  7 years in women’s health; 4 years in medical diagnostics.

Professional Goals:  For the last 10 years I’ve been working towards my goal of becoming a caring and compassionate physician assistant. So glad I’m finally here! Upon graduation, I plan to spend a few years honing my family practitioner skills around the world as a medical missionary, then settling down in the San Diego area to practice neurology. 

Name:  Aimee Erney
Hometown: Columbus, OH
Academic Background: B.A. Biology from Wittenberg University, Springfield OH

Healthcare Background: Patient Care Technician at Riverside Hospital for 1 year (General Medicine floor), ER volunteer, St. Johns nursing home volunteer/employee

Professional Goals: After completing the didactic and clinical portions of my PA studies at St. Francis, I am hoping to be a knowledgeable, professional, and personable health care provider. Although I am open-minded about what field I want to go into as a PA-C, family practice and pediatrics appeal to me the most.

Name:  Robin E (Goodwin) Cartwright
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Academic Background: B.S. in Health Physics form Purdue University

Healthcare Background: 9mo at an ENT office as an audiology technician, volunteered several hours each week to ASK Ministries (a local free clinic), 1 summer break as an orthodontic lab technician, Eli Lilly & Co. internship

Professional Goals: To become a certified Physician assistant working under a knowledgeable physician in a positive environment.   My interests lie in Emergency medicine and surgery, but my clinical rotations may change my mind. 

Name:  Molly Herrmann
Hometown:  Bluffton, IN
Academic Background:  I graduated from DePauw University with a B.A. in Psychology and a concentration in Classical History and Chemistry.

Healthcare Background:  I have worked as a clinical assistant in a neuropsychological clinic and as a patient care technician for an audiology clinic. I also have collaborated on research in the field of cross-haptic sensory perception and three-dimensional acuity as it relates to age.

Professional Goals:  After the completion of graduate coursework for the Physician assistant program at the University of Saint Francis, I hope to pursue a job position in a specialty field which allows me to continue to enrich my education and achieve my greatest potential as a practitioner. I am excited to become a PA-C and make a positive contribution to my community and the medical field.

Name:  Emily Johnson
Hometown:  Goshen, IN
Academic Background:  Bachelor’s degree in Biology from DePauw University, Greencastle, IN

Healthcare Background:  EMT certified, volunteered as a Medical Assistant in a public healthcare clinic, worked one year as a Nurse Assistant in the Obstetrics unit at Goshen General Hospital, volunteered in a medical clinic in El Salvador

Professional Goals:  I hope to find a job as a PA-C in an environment where I am surrounded by colleagues who are dedicated to being educators, caring for the patient as a whole, and who believe in quality healthcare for all individuals.  Given the time and resources, I would love to start programs for the public based in preventive medicine.

Name:  Lauren (Keyes) Fahey
Hometown: Fishers, IN
Academic Background: B.A. from DePauw University in May of 2006, with a double major in Biology and Communications.

Healthcare Background: During my years at DePauw I gained medical research experience in molecular biology, aiding in mapping the 5HT2A serotonin receptor.   I furthermore had an internship with a Physician Assistant with OrthoIndy at Methodist Hospital, and took an Emergency Medical Technician training course. After graduation I also obtained my CNA certification.  Prior to my time at the University of St. Francis I worked full-time for a year as a patient care technician on 3South Cardiac Medical at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis.

Name:  Natashia Korus
Hometown: Lindsay, NE
Academic Background: B.S. in Exercise Science from Creighton University, Omaha, NE

Healthcare Background: Physical Therapy Technician at Community Rehab Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Omaha, NE

Professional Goals: As a PA-C, I want a job that challenges me to use the skills and knowledge I will acquire at USF.  Throughout my clinical rotations, I hope to find a specialty that upholds the same values as I hold.  At some point in my career, I would like to provide healthcare in an underserved country.

Name:  Brittany Michelle LaBonte
Hometown: Franklin, IN
Academic Background: B.A. in Biology from Franklin College of Indiana

Healthcare Background: I worked for a year in a primary care facility through AmeriCorp and internships.

Name:  Robert R. Lang
Hometown:  Farmington, NM
Academic Background:   AA Outdoor Leadership and AAS Fire Science from San Juan College; BS Business Administration from University of Phoenix.

Healthcare Background:  Five years as a career Firefighter/EMT-I.  Taught EMT-B curriculum for San Juan College Fire Science Program and Farmington Fire Department. Tactical Medic for Farmington Police SWAT unit.

Professional Goals:  To be an exemplary Physician Assistant through ethical conduct, continuing education, and quality patient contact.

Name:  Thuy Le
Hometown:  Fort Wayne, IN
Academic Background:  Graduated from University of Saint Francis, IN with A.S. in Surgical Technology and B.S. in Biology

Healthcare Background:  Worked 2 years as a Surgical Technologist Trainee, 3 years as Surgical Technologist, and 9 months as Emergency Care Technician at Parkview Hospital.

Professional Goals:  To become a PA-C and specialize in Surgery; but, I also have interest in Emergency Room. At the same time, be involved in medical missionaries and volunteer in underserved areas.

Name: Cory Martin
Hometown:     Muncie, IN
Academic Background:   BS from Indiana University, Bloomington with double majors in Marketing and Internal Studies.  After graduating, I completed 2 years of pre-PA requisites before coming to join the PA program here at USF.

Healthcare Background:  1 Year as Clinical Technician/EMT in the ER at Community South Hospital-Indianapolis before attending University of Saint Francis for PA degree

 Professional Goals:     My goal is to be a competent, motivated PA, working in a practice that values integrity, excellence and family.  My PA interests were originally sparked for Orthopaedics, however, I anticipate my clinical rotations will shed more light on which area(s) is/are the best fit for me.

Name:  Melanie Millikan
Hometown: Churubusco, IN
Academic Background: Received undergraduate schooling as a 5 year PA student through the University of Saint Francis

Healthcare Background: Certified as a Nursing Assistant for four years. Worked nearly four years at Kingston Assisted Living, where I cared for geriatric residents with Alzheimer’s disease. Worked one year at Parkview Randallia, caring for patients in the Neurology Unit.

Professional Goals: My goal is to become a knowledgeable, caring, and respected PA-C working in a field that challenges me to learn more and progress in my knowledge and skill levels every day. I am interested in Surgery, but plan to explore many fields over the course of my studies at the University of Saint Francis.

Name:  Heather Peters
Hometown:  Seymour, IN
Academic Background: B.A. in Athletic Training from Franklin College, Indiana (2006)

Healthcare Background: Before becoming a Certified Athletic Trainer in 2006, I worked as a student athletic trainer for college athletics while shadowing various health care professionals, placing an emphasis on orthopedics and emergency care.

Name: Nathaniel D. Roach
Hometown: Odon, IN
Academic Background: AS in Physical Therapist Assistant, Vincennes University; BS in General Studies, IPFW

Healthcare Background: Physical Therapist Assistant for 10 years in acute care, extended care, intensive care, private practice and hospital based outpatient

Professional Goals: I am presently leaning toward practice in a surgical specialty whether in orthopedics or trauma, but am very open minded about all opportunities to practice as a PA-C.  I want to be a medical practitioner that not only patients, but other health care professionals trust and believe in.

Name:  Michael Summitt
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Academic Background: BA-Biology from IUPUI, Indianapolis, IN

Healthcare Background: I have been an Army medic for 20 years.  I have also worked as a procurement tech for a tissue bank, and have many years experience with clinical labs, especially with molecular pathology.

Name:  Heather Upchurch
Hometown:  Yorktown, IN
Academic Background: I graduated with a B.S. in biology and minor in chemistry from Ball State University.

Healthcare Background: I worked for a year as a certified nurse assistant in the transitional care unit at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, Indiana.  I also job shadowed a PA in the emergency department.

Professional Goals: Right now I am focused on obtaining my PA-C.  My current areas of interest are pediatrics, family practice, and emergency medicine.  However, I am keeping a very open mind and hope to learn about several different areas of medicine during my clinical rotations.

Name: Katie L. VandenBoom
Hometown:  Waukesha, WI
Academic Background: BS in Biological Sciences with minors in Psychology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. 

Healthcare Background: I have been volunteering in hospital settings since high school doing mainly clerical work.  After college graduation, I became a Certified Nursing Assistant and worked at a long term care facility for nearly 10 months.  During that time, I also shadowed various PA’s and observed several surgical procedures.

Name:  Aaron Willcott
Hometown: Leavenworth, KS
Academic Background: B.A. in Human Biology from the University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS.

Healthcare Background: Two years I worked as a medical technician at the Eastern Kansas VA Healthcare Center.

Professional Goals: I want to heal the sick, care for the poor, and raise a family. I definitely look forward to the lateral mobility offered by being a PA-C.

Name:  Melissa R. Winebarger
Hometown: Muncie, IN
Academic Background: B.S. in Biology with a double minor in Composite Speech and Chemistry from Bob Jones University, Greenville, SC

Healthcare Background:  I worked as a Nursing Aid in a Nursing Home/Rehabilitation Center for about a year before transferring to Ball Memorial Hospital where I worked as a phlebotomist.