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Physician Assistant
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A football injury – more specifically, a fractured tibia requiring two surgeries – turned out to be the prompt Joshua Jackson ‘28PA needed to spark his interest in a possible career in medicine.
“It opened my eyes to how the body works and even more so, the mental state you experience after you’re injured,” said Jackson, of Doylestown, Pennsylvania. “And, how ultimately you can overcome challenges in life.”
Well, Jackson is about to face his next challenge. He was one of 51 incoming students to the Salus at Drexel University Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program who received their short white coats at a ceremony Aug. 14, 2026, as part of Orientation Week at the Elkins Park campus.
Jackson’s mother passed away five years ago, but he had a lot of support from his family, as father David Jackson, big sister Naomi Jackson, and girlfriend Sade Willingham were all in the audience cheering him and his classmates on as they received their white coats, the official symbol of the start of their PA careers.
Choking back the emotions, David Jackson said the care his son received after his football injury did indeed plant the seed in his mind.
“He told me that’s what he wanted to do; he wanted to help people,” said the elder Jackson. “I told him it wasn’t a job; it’s a calling. And he’s made me very proud today.”
Naomi Jackson, a formulations technician, said it was “unbelievable that I have a little brother like that.” Willingham, a neuro-intensive care nurse at Jefferson University Hospital, said she is looking forward to encouraging Joshua and helping to keep him on track for those long nights of studying he has ahead of him.
For Melanie Simpson ‘28PA, donning the white coat for the first time was somewhat surreal, and a sign of the challenges that lie ahead. “We’ve worked so hard to get here, but we haven’t done too much yet,” said Simpson, who earned her undergraduate degree in medical diagnostics from the University of Delaware. “It’s an exciting start to the next two years.”
The Simpson family was also out in full force for the ceremony. Mother Patti Simpson, father Andy Simpson, two brothers and a future sister-in-law were there to support Simpson. Not only that, but family and friends from England, her father’s home country, were watching the live stream.
Patti Simpson said she was thrilled and proud of her daughter, adding she found her people and her place. “We’ll provide her with anything she needs and be there when she needs it,” she said.
Her father, Andy Simpson, agreed, describing her as an an incredible person, hardworking person. “This has been her dream, and we’re so excited for her,” he said.
Elizabeth Moy, associate vice provost of the Elkins Park campus, introduced the keynote speaker for the event, Leon McCrea II, MD, MPH, the Deborah J. Tuttle, MD, and John J. Piper, MD, vice dean for Educational Affairs at Drexel’s College of Medicine.
Dr. McCrea reminded the students the white coat is more than a symbol of achievement; it represents a commitment to service, professionalism, compassion, and lifelong learning.
“At Drexel University, we recognize our responsibility to confront the healthcare challenges facing our communities and to address the impact of health inequities. We remain steadfast in our commitment to improving lives and advancing health for all,” said Dr. McCrea. “As future physician assistants, you share that responsibility.”
He encouraged the students to support one another and to always center their humanity and compassion, as those qualities will become the foundation of their practices and the source of their greatest impacts.
“Strive to be affable, able and available. These qualities are within your control, and they will profoundly shape the trust your patients place in you and the effectiveness of your care,” said Dr. McCrea. He reminded them that as they put on their white coats, they are entering a profession that will ask much of them. “The work will be challenging, demanding, and at times, humbling. But it will also provide you with extraordinary opportunities to heal, to serve, and to make a lasting difference in the lives of others,” he concluded.
Jed Shumsky, PhD, senior associate dean of Educational and Academic Affairs, graduate programs, in the College of Medicine, introduced the Class of 2028 while faculty members Jennifer Pilchman, MSPAS, PA-C, and Christi Scordia, MSPAS, PA-C, presented the white coats.
Before leading the students in the Oath of Professionalism, Rachel Ditoro, EdD, MSPAS, PA-C, program director of the Salus at Drexel PA program, asked the students to reach into the left pocket of their new white coats, where they found a message from the PA Class of 2027.
Dr. Ditoro asked the students to ask themselves why they wanted to become a PA.
“The reality is that PA school is hard. For some of you, it will probably be one of the hardest things you’ve had to do up until this point. It can be mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausting,” said Dr. Ditoro. “Some days you might ask yourself, ‘Is it worth it?’ or ‘Is this what I really want for myself?’ It’s on those days that I want you to remember your ‘why.’”
Out of an applicant pool of 1,772, the 51 students are part of the Class of 2028, representing 13 states.
