New York native helps to lay the foundation for physician associate program at Alvernia

Alexis Calkins MSPAS ’26 chose Alvernia for her graduate studies due to its strong foundation of community. During her two years on campus, she helped to foster another foundation, serving among the university’s first Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Studies cohort.

The native of Auburn, N.Y. – located about 240 miles north of Reading, Pa. – found her way to Alvernia via Villanova University just outside of Philadelphia. While an undergraduate there, she researched PA programs in the region, enrolling in Alvernia because of its size and values. Helping to make history was a nice perk.

“I was drawn to the small cohort size, because you're able to really get to know your classmates,” said Calkins, one of two dozen PA students who received their white coats over the summer. “That added to the sense of community. And I thought it would be a unique opportunity to be part of the first cohort here, because we would be able to lay the foundation for the future classes.”

Always interested in the medical field but not sure which career she wanted to pursue, Calkins found her calling when she shadowed a physician associate, admiring how she was able to treat and diagnose her patients while also working as part of a larger health care team. The flexibility of the profession, in which you can change specialties to focus on different patient populations, also appealed to her.

In between undergraduate and graduate studies, Calkins gained experience working as a cardiology medical assistant and volunteered for Simon's Heart, a nonprofit that focuses on preventing sudden cardiac arrest in young people.

During her time at Alvernia, state-of-the-art labs utilized by the Physician Associate and Occupational Therapy programs opened in the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne. Simulation centers, classrooms, laboratories and other spaces allow students to practice their skills in a controlled environment.

“Alvernia does a great job developing your clinical foundational knowledge, and they also give you a lot of hands-on experience so that you feel prepared to go into work as a PA,” she said.

High-tech equipment like the Anatomage lab, which uses life-sized 3-D touchscreens to provide virtual cadaver dissection, enhance the program’s ability to teach students. But the human aspect also impressed Calkins.

“Something that exceeded my expectations was how much the professors want you to understand the material, and how willing they are to explain any difficult concepts to you,” she said. “You're assigned a faculty advisor whom you're able to meet with as often as you want. And my classmates were a great source of support because we were able to really help motivate each other. I've definitely built a few lifelong friendships.”

Two of those classmates shared an apartment with her in West Reading, with each taking turns driving to campus.

Post-graduation, Calkins moved back to upstate New York to work at a dermatology practice in the area.

“I feel very proud to be part of this first graduating PA class at Alvernia,” she said. “It's been very rewarding to see how we've developed alongside the program, and I'm excited to see what future developments the PA program makes.”