Celebrating the DeSales University Physician Assistant Class of 2026
DeSales University proudly celebrated the graduation of the 27th class of its Physician Assistant (PA) Program on Saturday, August 15, 2026, marking another significant milestone in the program’s distinguished history and continued tradition of excellence.
The ceremony honored the hard work, perseverance, and achievements of the Class of 2026 as graduates prepare to begin their careers in one of the nation’s most impactful healthcare professions.
“This graduation marks a significant milestone as we celebrate the 27th graduating class of the DeSales University Physician Assistant Program, further strengthening our proud legacy,” said Kathleen Ehrhardt, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, program director and associate professor. “With the addition of the Class of 2026, our program has now graduated 1,476 physician assistant alumni. These graduates serve patients in every major medical specialty and in communities across the nation, extending DeSales University's mission and values far beyond our campus. I am immensely proud of each student for their dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment to excellence.”
The DeSales University Physician Assistant Program continues to earn national recognition for its quality and outcomes, ranking No. 1 in Pennsylvania and No. 26 in the nation among more than 350 PA programs. These accolades reflect the dedication of the program’s students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as the university’s commitment to preparing highly skilled and compassionate healthcare professionals.
The success of the program is rooted in the expertise and commitment of its faculty, whose passion for teaching, mentorship, and academic excellence helps shape the next generation of physician assistants. Through rigorous coursework, clinical experiences, and personalized guidance, faculty members continue to elevate the program’s reputation and impact.
As the newest graduates join the healthcare workforce, they carry forward the values of service, compassion, and excellence that define a DeSales education.
“My experience in the DeSales University Physician Assistant Program has provided far more than I expected from an educational experience,” said Elizabeth Bader ’26. “The program fosters an environment where students are challenged and inspired to learn while feeling supported and encouraged by a community deeply committed to their success and well-being. It has shaped me not only into a confident and capable future physician assistant, but also into a more compassionate, resilient, and understanding person. I will always be grateful for the people and experiences that made my time at DeSales so meaningful, and I am proud to carry the values of this program with me as I begin my career.”
DeSales University congratulates the Physician Assistant Class of 2026 and looks forward to seeing the many ways they will contribute to the health and well-being of the communities they serve. Their future is bright, and their journey is just beginning.
Physician Assistant Program 2026 Graduates
- Caroline Anderson
- Elizabeth Bader
- Angelique Bauer
- Madison Becksted
- Kinjal Bhavsar
- Grace Bodner
- Nicholette Bonura
- Stella Bultje
- Joseph Check
- Elizabeth Chiliberti
- Emily Cimino
- Megan Conklin
- Lauren Crim
- Madison Dockter
- Zahlin Ford
- Brinley Foster
- Julia Fox
- Julia Gabel
- Lauren Garcia
- Eric Haig
- Gulrukh Hamd
- Jessie Hao
- Brian Harding
- Olivia Hassinger
- Darby Hess
- Timothy Hirdt
- Jordyn Holjes
- Julia Hood
- McKenzie Jamison
- Cierra Jurgens
- Dana Karchner
- Valerie Kline
- Paul Ko
- Erica Lazar
- Natalia Leiria
- Tiara Lewis-Falloon
- Sophia Liu
- Kelly Ly
- Mairin MacDougall
- Lia Maggu
- Grace Major
- Lily Marino
- Maya Massary
- Matthew McHugh
- Emma Mele
- Margaret Moyer
- Jake Namaroff
- Samantha Neuman
- Nikolette Nolte
- Aayushma Patel
- Skylar Petrone
- Alexa Petrucci
- Laura Pham
- Grace Powell
- Rachel Prizer
- Eleni Prodes
- Jake Rainsdon
- Miranda Russo
- Michael Russo III
- Peyton Rydholm
- Mariel Sajan
- Anjali Salvi
- Jackie Scheidel
- Samantha Seeherman
- Safa Shaikh
- Reagan Simock
- Ridhi Singh
- Diya Stephen
- Grace Stetz
- Isabella Theesfeld
- Lorelei Thompson
- Megan Tierney
- Cindy Tran
- Gage Traugh
- Starrett Vesper
- Sophie Wilmanski
- Brianna Young
- Shae Zeitler
- Claudia Zhang