Department of Physician Assistant Studies presents white coats to PA Class of 2026

GRAND FORKS, N.D.—Thirty-one University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences (SMHS) physician assistant (PA) students are set to begin the clinical portion of their studies this month in an effort to earn their Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.

To this end, the Physician Assistant Class of 2026 received its white coats on Friday, Jan. 31, in the University of North Dakota’s Chester Fritz Performing Arts Center.

“The presentation of the white coat is symbolic of the new profession the students are entering,” said Department of Physician Assistant Studies Chair Jeanie McHugo, Ph.D., PA-C. “The coats will be worn by students through the clinical phase of their training and denote their involvement with the PA program at UND.”

Students have already completed their first two semesters of basic science instruction, and now transition into the clinical aspect of their curriculum in the didactic setting before beginning their primary care clinical experiences under the supervision of physician and PA preceptors. Over the next 18 months, they will return to UND for several weeks at different junctures for additional education and training.

Eighty one percent of the PA Class of 2026 is from North Dakota and Minnesota. Students range in age from 22 to 35 years, with an average age of 26. The class includes 12 males and 19 females.

UND Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2026:

• Emma Bestul, Brainerd, Minn.
• Jean Brown, Fargo, N.D.
• Nathan Everson, Slayton, Minn.
• Elizabeth Goodhart, Mandan, N.D.
• Tucker Hall, Sioux Falls, S.D.
• Hayden Halley, Missoula, Mont.
• Mikaela Harkema, Lakeville, Minn.
• Kori Hennebry, Fargo, N.D.
• Melissa Holub, Valley City, N.D.
• Jade Jackson, Helena, Mont.
• Braelyn Johnson, Grand Forks, N.D.
• Dylin Johnson, Fort Collins, Colo.
• Abby Kallenbach, Jamestown, N.D.
• Salmata Korgho, Fargo, N.D.
• Kaitlin Kriefall, Blaine, Minn.
• Madison Lake, Grygla, Minn.
• Lauren Lindsey, Champlin, Minn.
• William Lundquist, Saint Paul, Minn.
• Hannah McCuddin, Sloan, Iowa
• Grant McNab, Moorhead, Minn.
• Dean Narveson, Hermantown, Minn.
• Spencer Oen, West Fargo, N.D.
• Caylee Osborne, Hibbing, Minn.
• Alexa Rummel, Fargo, N.D.
• Ashley Runge, Grand Rapids, Minn.
• Luke Solheid, Saint Paul, Minn.
• Tatjana Svjetlanovic, Bismarck, N.D.
• Stephen Warne, Lakeville, Minn.
• Miles Wosick, Fargo, N.D.
• Benjamin Zimmel, Moorhead, Minn.
• Traelyn Zimmerman, Gillette, Wyo.

This is the fifth group to benefit from the School’s Adopt-a-PA-Program, where donors to the SMHS provide professional white coats for second-year Physician Assistant Studies students who are about to begin their clinical experiences.

“We really can’t thank our supporters enough,” added McHugo. “This program met its goal the very first year we implemented it and our alumni and friends continue to show their commitment to helping us produce fabulous physician assistants for practice primarily in rural and underserved areas of our state.”

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Brian James Schill
Director, Office of Alumni & Community Relations
UND School of Medicine & Health Sciences
701.777.6048 direct | 701.777.4305 office
brian.schill@UND.edu  |  www.UND.edu