Alex received his bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology/Biotechnology from Michigan State University. He went on to receive his master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne. He is certified in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support and Basic Life Support. A member of the American Academy of Physicians Assistants and the Indiana Academy of... Read More about Alejandro Mikelonis, PA - Beacon Medical Group Cardiothoracic Surgery South Bend

About Tommi Andersen As early as high school, Tommi Andersen, PA, knew she wanted a career in medicine. After exposure to various health professions, she fell in love with the role of the PA, specifically. “I found a university that offers both a bachelor’s as well as master’s degree in physician assistant studies, and I’ve looked forward to offering care... Read More about Tommi Andersen, PA - Beacon Medical Group Cardiothoracic Surgery Elkhart

About Frank Pennoni With his immediate family all in the medical field, it was no question for Frank Pennoni, PA-C, that he would do something in the field. “My father has been the director of a laboratory for 25 years, and both my mom and sister are nurses,” he says. While a senior at Indiana University, Bloomington, where he earned... Read More about Frank Pennoni, PA - Beacon Medical Group ENT and Audiology South Bend

About Caroline When there are doctors, nurses and pharmacists scattered throughout your family, chances are good you’ll aspire to a career in medicine. That was the case for Caroline Walters. "I always knew I wanted to work in medicine," she says. "But I didn’t know what a PA was until after I completed my undergrad education." Caroline chose the ENT... Read More about Caroline Walters, PA - Beacon Medical Group Trauma & Surgical Services

About Carrie Physician assistant Carrie Y. Yuan has always been passionate about science. She explored this passion while researching a serious gastrointestinal illness in premature babies. “Observing the countless hours the physicians and surgeons provided care for their patients while also developing research methods in the lab was incredible,” Carrie says. “I wanted to work alongside these amazing physicians and... Read More about Carrie Yuan, PA - Beacon Medical Group Oncology South Bend

About Jessica When it comes to her chosen career path, Jessica Filipski says she got her inspiration from her dad. “He was a paramedic for 21 years and then a firefighter for 13 years,” she explains. “Listening to his stories growing up made me interested in the medical field.” She decided to further her education and became the first physician... Read More about Jessica Filipski, PA - Beacon Medical Group Ireland Road

If you asked 10 year old Rebecca Kelln, MS, MPAS, RD, PA-C, what she wanted to be when she grew up, she would’ve proudly told you that she wanted to be an archaeologist. Eventually, she realized a different dream, and she is now a Physician Assistant with Beacon Medical Group Pediatric Specialty. “I idolized my father, a gastroenterologist, and my... Read More about Rebecca Kelln, PA-C - Beacon Medical Group Pulmonology and Critical Care South Bend

About Preston Heath In high school, Preston Heath, PA, enjoyed science and mathematics. After a significant orthopedic operation changed his ideas on a future that involved sports, he took an interest in a medical career. “The orthopedic doctors I worked with left a strong imprint on me at that time,” he says. Preston’s undergraduate education was at the University of... Read More about Preston Heath, PA - Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists Navarre

About Danielle Wilson While working as a scribe in the emergency room during graduate school in Virginia, Danielle Wilson, PA, began to consider a career in medicine. “At the time I was working towards a career in forensic investigation or as a geneticist, but developed a strong interest in medicine from the ED and changed course to pursue PA school,”... Read More about Danielle Wilson, PA

About Nicole Rogers Growing up, Nicole Rogers, PA, loved science classes. “When I took anatomy in high school, I knew immediately that I wanted a job that merged science with healthcare,” she says. Nicole graduated from Michigan State University - East Lansing, Michigan, with her Bachelor of Science in psychology. Her Master of Science in Medicine, Physician Assistant Studies was... Read More about Nicole Rogers, PA -

Janet received her bachelor's degree and her Physician Assistant certification from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southwestern Allied Health Sciences School. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Indiana Academy of Physician Assistants, the American Association of Surgical Physician Assistants and the Association of Physician Assistants in Cardiovascular Surgery. Janet has been with... Read More about Janet Hanff, PA - Beacon Medical Group Cardiothoracic Surgery South Bend

About Kaitlin Castro When she was five years old, Kaitlin Castro, PA-C, told her pediatrician that she was going to be like her one day. At age nine, she became interested in Alzheimer’s disease after her grandmother’s diagnosis. From there, she took medical courses in high school and by the time she got to college, she’d found the PA profession.... Read More about Kaitlin Castro, PA - Beacon Medical Group Advanced Cardiology Specialists South Bend

About Sabrina Pasley Growing up on a farm Sabrina Pasley, PA, was always interested in veterinary medicine. Then when she was in middle school, her stepfather suffered a stroke and she had her first real exposure to the world of medicine. “Watching the healthcare professionals provide care to my stepdad and my family was a fundamental time of development for... Read More about Sabrina Pasley, PA - Beacon Medical Group Trauma & Surgical Services