The Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program at the University of Nevada, Reno, School of Medicine (UNR Med) inspires its students to give back to the community and learn to serve all walks of life.

“Our program has the vision to enhance health care for all Nevadans,” said Ivy Spadone, DMSc, PA-C, AAHIVS, an assistant professor in the PA program. “UNR Med’s PA Studies program focuses on providing patient-centered, holistic primary care, serving our communities in need.”

In honor of that vision, during the annual occurrence of PA Week, this year, the program at UNR Med hosted three activities to encourage students to give back:

Volunteering with Catholic Charities

On Oct. 4, a group of students joined the staff at the St. Vincent’s Dining Room to provide meals. Students volunteer their time quarterly, with this occurrence happening during PA Week as well. By partnering with Catholic Charities, this student-led initiative encourages students to connect with the public and underserved communities. First-year students take on the responsibility to coordinate and solicit their fellow students for the dates throughout the year that have been prearranged in January.

Family Health Festival

On Oct. 8, PA students joined the Family Health Festival organized by United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra. This festival provided an opportunity to educate attendees about the role of PAs and inspire school-aged children to consider the role of a physician assistant as a possible career. Students also brought along portion-sized plates and My Plate flyers to promote healthy eating habits.

Inspirational cards

Related to the wellness initiatives for UNR Med, this mindfulness project offered students a chance to uplift others with the prompt: If you were in the hospital and alone, what encouragement would you want to hear? Once completed, the cards were sent to Renown’s social work department to distribute to patients who may be isolated and alone.

“My passion for community service and giving back is what inspired me to take part in PA Week,” said Janelle Kievit, first-year PA student. “It was an amazing experience to volunteer, support local families and share more about the PA profession’s role in health care. Getting to connect with the community in the midst of lectures, studying and exams reminded me exactly why I chose this path in the first place.”

The PA program accepts 24 students each year from about 1,500 applicants. It is ranked No. 21 out of 206 programs nationwide by “U.S. News & World Report 2025.”

"When I was an adolescent, I experienced my own traumatic health experience,” said Natalie Proulx, first-year PA student. “I met many amazing professionals in my health care team, but PAs really stood out. I felt really taken care of both physically and mentally/emotionally. While I had already known I wanted to be in the health care field, that whole experience switched up my course from doctor to physician assistant and I never veered from it since!”

PAs are licensed clinicians who have been well trained to assess, diagnose and treat illnesses across specialties. PAs can prescribe medications in all states, assist in surgeries and perform procedures, among many other duties. PAs work directly with patients and their families in creating patient-centered, culturally sensitive care tailored to individual needs, beliefs and values.

“PAs are trained to increase access to care for communities they serve,” said Spadone. “I worked at Northern Nevada HOPES for 22 years before transitioning to academia and I continue to work there once a week supporting patients with HIV. This field requires being nonjudgmental and empathetic to properly assist patients from all walks of life.”

“When our students give back in meaningful ways to the communities that they will one day serve as providers, they’re not only building trust in the PA profession — they’re also strengthening their own sense of purpose and confidence,” said Angel Cappiello MPAS PA-C, assistant professor. “Each year, when we see the sparkle in their eyes after these community experiences, it’s clear that the impact goes both ways. Our students gain as much as they give. These moments reenergize them and reconnect them to the vision of the UNR Med PA Program in a way that’s difficult to achieve amid the rigor of their training.”