Coaches

Rachael Jarman

Rachael Jarman PA-C is the head coach for PA Trek. Rachael graduated from Philadelphia University in 2007 and has spent most of her career in the ER. She is currently a supervisor for the Advance Practice Provider program for a busy medical group in Minneapolis. She has a love for the PA profession and wants to help others reach their career aspirations! Rachael writes for the AAPA’s blog, PAs Connect. She has been precepting PA students since becoming a PA in 2007 and started PA Trek in 2015. Helping qualified pre-PA students has been a passion of hers and she is excited to work with you!

 

Kye Dixon

Kye is from Louisiana where he learned the value of food, firearms and forward thinking. He attended McNeese State University, where he majored in Clinical Lab Science and met some pretty amazing instructors who inspired him to further his education after undergrad. Kye has learned that “struggle builds character.” Kye wasn’t the A++ student, he was the guy that spent time in the library each day following class in order to truly understand the subject material. The hard studying paid off because he graduated from Christian Brothers University’s PA school in May of 2016 and is now a hospitalist in Oregon. He looks forward to helping the next round of students as a PA Trek coach!

 

Madeline Glasser

Madeline Glasser is a PA-C who graduated at the end of March 2016 and PANCEing shortly thereafter. Upon graduation she began her career in medicine working in family medicine/urgent care in rural Missouri. Being a brand-spanking new PA means that she recently was in your shoes! She understands what it takes to go through the grueling process and was accepted to her first choice school. Madeline has been actively participating with the pre-PA community throughout her time in school and served as Chief Student Ambassador for her program. Madeline is also a mother of two small children and understands the unique aspect of being a parent through the process as well. She is passionate about encouraging other mothers (and dads!) to pursue their dream of medicine and think of their children as reasons to do something as opposed to excuses not to. When she’s not wrapped up in medicine you can find her dating her military husband, chasing her two girls, or lifting heavy things.

Karen Gunderson

Karen Gunderson has a B.S. from Cornell University and a Masters in Medical Science from Wake Forest University Medical School. She has worked as a Physician Assistant for eight years in various roles including pulmonary medicine/critical care, hematology/oncology and corporate primary care/travel medicine at Delta airlines. She has a passion for promotion of the PA profession which includes leading an advanced practice team, educational lectures, experience with hiring and training new PAs and undergraduate admission interviews. In her spare time she enjoys volleyball, traveling with her husband and her German Shepherd, Lady.

 

Marsha Thomas

Marsha Thomas graduated from Stony Brook University in June, 2016. Like some individuals, Marsha was the first in her family, both immediate and extended, to pursue a career in medicine. She received a B.S. in Biology from Oakland University and a Masters in Molecular and Integrative Physiology from the University of Michigan. Like many of you, she did not matriculate after applying to PA school the first time. This gives her first-hand knowledge on how to become a “unique” applicant. Her dedication and drive landed her a seat at Stony Brook University, her top choice program. Throughout her PA education, Marsha has been an advocate for the future of our profession, which includes mentoring Pre-PA students through social media and community outreach projects. When she is not immersed in her studies, she enjoys working on projects dedicated to addressing health disparities affecting the under-served population. Recently, she was featured in a NCCPA Health Foundation video focused on promoting health equality through the integration of oral health into patient care.

Ewa Keil

Ewa Keil has been a Physician Assistant since 2005. She graduated from Philadelphia University in 2003 with a B.S. in PA studies and then graduated from Philadelphia University’s PA program in 2005 with an M.S. Ewa worked in Emergency medicine and urgent care for almost nine years. Currently, she works in Sports Medicine/ interventional pain management. She is an experienced preceptor for PA and medical students, residents, and nursing students as well. In her free time she enjoys spending time with family and friends, Zumba, kickboxing, and traveling.

 

Sarah Clark

Professor Sarah Clark is a physician assistant with experience in Neurosurgery, Neuro-critical Care, Concussion treatment, and urgent care. A 2006 graduate of the Quinnipiac University Physician Assistant Program, she worked at Yale New Haven Hospital in New Haven, CT until 2014. Her roles at Yale included patient care in Neurosurgery and later in Neuro-critical care. In 2014 she joined a private practice caring for children and young adults with concussions. In 2015, she returned to Quinnipiac University as a clinical assistant professor. She advises PA students and teaches lecture courses and small group sessions at the graduate level including neurology, gastroenterology, interviewing, and several skills labs. Prof. Clark currently works clinically as a PA in urgent care. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Past-President of the Connecticut Academy of Physician Assistants, as well as a current Regional Director and co-chair of the Conference Panning/Education committee. In her free time, Sarah enjoys spending time with her daughter, cooking, reading, traveling, and golfing.

Mike Sacks

Mike Sacks graduated from Hofstra University’s PA program in 2015, and currently works in Emergency Medicine at Stamford Hospital in CT. After spending several years in business, Mike began doing meticulous research into the PA profession, studied the pro/cons of many programs, and ultimately decided to go back to school to become a PA. As a student Mike was twice elected as Student Director to the New York State Society of PAs (NYSSPA) where he was intimately involved with student leadership and faculty at most of NY’s PA programs. At the 2015 NYSSPA Conference Mike was invited to join several local PA program directors as they educated pre-pa students on the dos and don’ts of the application process. Mike continues to serve as the NYSSPA social media director, is married to a leading PA in the field of gastroenterology and has two young children.

 

Louis G. Santiago Jr., PA-C

Lou is a native of Manhattan, NY. He is a clinical year PA graduate student in CUNY School of Medicine’s inaugural Master’s PA program. Prior to entering PA school, he received his undergraduate degree from Adventist University of Health Sciences with a major in biomedical sciences, graduating summa cum laude, and worked as a professional touring drummer for various Grammy-nominated artists. He has a passion for life and seeing others live out their dreams. Lou is married and has two children. He can be followed @LouThePAstudent on YouTube and Instagram where he encourages and motivates pre-Med and pre-PA students.