University of Detroit Mercy's Physician Assistant Program named best in U.S.

University of Detroit Mercy’s Physician Assistant (PA) Program was recently recognized as the top PA program in the United States. 

The Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) honored the UDM PA Program with its 2025 Excellence in PA Education Award. It is one of the highest national recognitions in the field. 

“This recognition affirms Detroit Mercy’s place as a leader in shaping compassionate, knowledgeable and socially responsible healthcare professionals,” said College of Health Professions Dean Ahmed Radwan. 

Awarded annually, UDM is the only PA program in Michigan to have ever received this honor from the PAEA. There are more than 300 PA programs in the U.S. 

“To be in number one in the United States and in the ranks with these big-name colleges really says a lot for our program and for our University, all while living up to our mission and identity,” Amy Dereczyk, associate professor and chair of UDM’s PA Program, said. 

Established in 2003, the Excellence in PA Education Award recognizes the achievements and commitments of a PAEA member program that has made noteworthy contributions to promoting educational excellence. 

Criteria for the award includes:  

• Engaging and recruiting students from communities representative of the area's patient population.
• A culture of educational excellence. 
• Contributions in scholarship and educational research. 
• Leadership roles and service to the profession. 

Students say they’ve experienced first-hand the educational excellence that UDM’s PA Program was recognized for. 

“The faculty here genuinely care about our growth and want the best for us as future providers,” Kenneth Schmidtke said. “This award is a reflection of the hard work, compassion and support UDM's PA program provides for its students.” 

Rosemary Runstadler is proud to be a student in UDM’s PA Program and is excited to serve people as a healthcare professional. 

“This award highlights our faculty's dedication to the profession and their commitment to preparing us for a lifetime of service as healthcare providers,” Runstadler said. “It deepens my pride in being a UDM PA and inspires me to carry that same legacy of excellence into my career." 

UDM’s PA Program offers both a traditional two-year graduate program as well as a three-year part-time program for working professionals.  

There are also several paths for undergraduate students to pursue the PA master’s degree at UDM, including the Pre-PA Program, which guarantees an interview with the PA admissions committee, and an accelerated five-year program. 

For Dereczyk, being recognized by the PAEA affirms the PA Program’s work and how it fulfills UDM’s Jesuit and Mercy mission. 

“Receiving the PAEA Excellence in PA Education Award is an affirmation of our program’s commitment to academic excellence, compassionate service and advancing access to care,” she said. 

Learn more about UDM’s PA Program and College of Health Professions.