Keith Young DHSc, PA-C, SBU’s Physician Assistant Studies program director and faculty member, along with Nicole Ackley, MPAS, PA-C, director of Clinical Education for Physician Assistant Studies and clinical assistant professor, presented a well-attended session titled “Surviving Clinical Rotations” at the New York State Society of Physician Associates (NYSSPA) conference. The conference, celebrating the 50th anniversary of NYSSPA, was held Oct. 17-19 in Albany.

Drawing a crowd of more than 100 students, the presentation offered practical strategies and candid insights into navigating one of the most demanding phases of PA education.

Also at the conference, Ackley and Kate Nelson, MPAS, PA-C, clinical assistant professor of Physician Assistant Studies, won the NYSSPA 2025 CME Conference Poster Session in the category Educational Research-Curricular Innovation featuring their poster “Repropalooza: An Objective Structured Clinical Examination Solution to Improve Competence.” Their project highlighted the program’s dedication to hands-on learning and assessment excellence, an approach that continues to set SBU apart among PA educators statewide.