On The PAth

This episode of On The PAth was recorded in December of 2025. Simon Dreisbach and Ian Fair join me after completing 6/9 rotations in PA school. We dive deep into stories about our first rotations, our first procedures, how to deal with stress and nerves, what makes a good student on rotations, and clinical pearls. This is the perfect episode if you are curious how life changes from the classroom to the hospital. 

Today I welcome Alexia Ames PA-C and Jessica DiMeco PA-C to the PAth. In this episode we explore the transition from PA student in didactic year to clinical year, and then again from clinical year to graduation. We also touch on job hunting, and the  emotional, educational, and professional shift that occurs after graduation. We dive further into what surprised us, what prepared us, and what absolutely didn't about graduating PA school. 

In this episode of On The PAth (OTP), we're joined by Dr. Tom Peteet, MD, MPH, for a thoughtful conversation on what it takes to build a meaningful and sustainable career in medicine. We dive into the realities of PA school and medical education, discussing how students can move beyond memorization to become lifelong learners. We also explore the growing role of artificial intelligence in medicine—how tools like AI can enhance learning and patient care, where they fall short, and why critical thinking will always remain an essential skill for healthcare professionals. The conversation also tackles one of the biggest challenges facing medicine today: burnout. 

On this episode of On The PAth, we’re in the Big Apple with Olivia Juliani, PA-C, who brings her dual expertise in critical care and aesthetic medicine to the mic. We dive into what it’s really like to be a PA in critical care — from scope of practice to common procedures — and explore the unique job landscape for PAs in New York City. Olivia also gives us a behind-the-scenes look at aesthetic medicine: how the field has exploded in recent years, what PAs can do, and what it takes to thrive.

On this episode of On The PAth, Dr. Kathy Jones PA-C joins us for an inside look into Boston's emergency medicine departments.  With 20 years of experience in emergency medicine, we get a true look into what really goes on behind the scenes. We discuss all about how to prepare for an ED rotation as a PA-S, what new grad life is like starting in the ED, and how emergency departments across the country have changed over the past two decades. Friend of the pod Ian Fair also returns to join the conversation. 

On this episode of On The PAth, Jess and Avery give us some insight into the Pre-PA process. Balancing personal statements, figuring out where to apply, and preparing for interviews is tough. We discuss what interview questions might be asked, how to edit your personal statement, as well as deciding between other professions in medicine vs PA school. We compare our overall Pre-PA journeys and how they differed.

This week on the PAth, we have Madalynn Planty and Emily Brenman come to the studio to talk about three very important pillars of health: Social, Physical and Mental. We discuss the ins and outs of making friends in PA school, finding time to make healthy and quality meals, and prioritize your mental health. We also discuss healthy sleeps habits and ways to combat burnout. 

We have a very special guest on the podcast, Dr. Matthew McDonald, PA-C, a member of our faculty and practicing hospitalist medicine PA. Matt plays an integral role in deliberation and acceptance to our PA program, so we get the inside scoop on what the faculty look for. Matt also walks us through a day in his life as a (former) gastroenterology physician assistant, and (current) hospitalist physician assistant. We also get an in depth look of what roles physician assistants played on the front lines of the COVID-19 Pandemic in March of 2020. Simon Dreisbach joins us as well for riveting discussion about PA school admissions and life in school. 

This week on the podcast we have a very special guest, my girlfriend Kadie Bernstein. Kadie is a 2nd year medical student from Michigan, and we chat all about the highs and lows of medical school all while navigating a long distance relationship. We briefly chat about PA vs. Medical school, lifestyle of practice and tips for how to keep in touch with loved ones while being far from home. Is it truly impossible to do a long distance relationship while completing intense graduate programs? 

The second episode of On The PAth brings Ian & Tiger to the podcast, where we debrief what a typical exam week looks like versus a non-exam week in PA school.  We also discuss how we manage stress, our most stressful situations in school thus far, and how we unwind after a jam-packed week.