Colleagues have praised Matthew McQuillan as an outstanding educator and compassionate leader, who has shaped the careers of thousands of students and been instrumental in advancing the physician assistant profession.

His impact on students and the professional community was recently recognized by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), which presented its 2022 Master Faculty Award to McQuillan, chair and associate professor of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice at Rutgers School of Health Professions.

“Matt is a tireless advocate, an inspirational leader, and a consummate professional. He teaches with passion, leads with vision, and serves with empathy, all with a touch of good humor,” said Ryan D. White, assistant professor and director of the department’s clinical site development, in a nominating statement to the PAEA.

McQuillan has been a part of the school for 30 years, beginning as a student then returning as faculty. He became the program director in 2018 and assumed the role of department chair in 2021.

Under McQuillan’s leadership, graduates have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the board licensure exam over the past five years. The school consistently ranks above the national average in its passing rate.

He has supported the department’s move to holistic admissions to widen the diversity of the student body. In 2018, the program was honored by PAEA with a national award for its success in attracting top candidates from different racial, ethnic, sexual, and economic backgrounds. The incoming Class of 2025 is 53 percent persons of color, with 22 percent African Americans, three of whom are males – one of the most underrepresented minorities in the profession

“Our students reflect the patient population they serve, and are better practitioners because of that,” said McQuillan.

Even as head of the department, he continues to stay connected to the classroom. He pioneered and continues to teach two courses, one on medical ethics and another that explores what it means to be a professional physician assistant.

Using film, writings and poetry, his medical ethics class examines complex issues such as informed consent and euthanasia as well as real-life dilemmas such as what to do if a patient wants to date you.  In his professional practice course, students not only learn how to negotiate salaries, but they also understand what it means to practice with empathy and integrity.

“Students often arrive to PA school motivated to tackle the medicine: they want to learn everything they can about diseases and treatments. However, Matt opens their eyes to the much wider responsibility that is part of being a PA,” said Claire O’Connell, associate professor in physician assistant studies and director of didactic education, who also submitted a nominating statement to the professional association in support of McQuillan.

In an educational environmental notorious for its high levels of pressure and stress, McQuillan is proud of the school’s nurturing culture for students. He recalls feeling supported by faculty when he needed to take a leave of absence while a student.

“That began my love for this program,” McQuillan said. “This is a hard program. We have high standards to uphold, and students must meet competencies. But if we are training students to care for people, these students must believe they are cared for here.”

He has held leadership positions in national physician assistant professional associations and been an active advocate for the profession. For two decades, he sat on committees that have influenced the path of the profession – including paving the way for legislation that allows New Jersey PAs to prescribe controlled substances. Currently, as a member of the national accrediting body, he is working with a committee weighing whether the profession should move toward awarding an entry level doctorate upon program completion rather than a masters.

Of all he has accomplished, McQuillan said he gets his most satisfaction from working with students.

“When I see them grow through the program and then flourish in the health care arena, it is amazing and inspiring. It’s the aspect of the job that keeps me focused and it is why I’m here,” he said.