Department of Physician Assistant Studies
and Practice
Rutgers Physician Assistant program ranked No. 3 in the country by U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools
Welcome to the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice. As Chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice, I am honored to lead a team of nationally recognized faculty, staff, and students dedicated to advancing the PA profession. Our department is committed to excellence in education, research, and community engagement, and I hope this site provides you with valuable insight into our programs and initiatives.
Established with the mission of improving community health by expanding access to care, our department has a long-standing legacy of training highly skilled physician assistants through our Master of Science Physician Assistant Program. In 2025, we proudly celebrate 50 years of excellence in PA education, with our nationally ranked program preparing graduates for impactful careers across the U.S. and beyond.
A cornerstone of our commitment to service is the Health Outreach Practice Experience (HOPE) Clinic, founded in 2021. This faculty-led, student-run initiative provides care for uninsured patients, managing conditions such as diabetes and hypertension. HOPE reflects our mission to not only educate future PAs but also to make a meaningful difference in our local communities.
We also support PA professionals through continuing education, offering a long-standing in-person and live online course designed to help PAs prepare for certification exams. For over a decade, participants have found this course to be an invaluable resource in their professional development.
Additionally, our faculty engage in cutting-edge research on topics including the PA workforce, clinical care, healthcare access for underserved populations, and innovations in medical education.
I appreciate your interest in our department. If I can be of assistance, please feel free to reach out.
Dr. Matthew A. McQuillan, DMSc, PA-C, DFAAPA
Chair, Department of Physician Assistant Studies and Practice
Department Chair
Matthew McQuillan
matthew.mcquillan@shp.rutgers.edu
Matthew McQuillan
PA Program Address:
675 Hoes Lane West, 6th Floor
Piscataway NJ 08854
Graduate Programs
Review Course
The Long Jumper and the Stand-Up Comedian: Two Unconventional Paths to PA School
The Long Jumper and the Stand-Up Comedian: Two Unconventional Paths to PA School A national champion in the long jump, Madisen Richards twice competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials before feeling pulled in another [...]
PA Program’s Commitment to Service is Recognized with Scholarships
PA Program’s Commitment to Service is Recognized with Scholarship The Physician Assistant (PA) program received the Esther Elliott Martin Scholarship award in recognition of its commitment to community service, including its work with the [...]
SHP Doctoral Recipients Paving the Way for Women of Color in Healthcare
SHP Doctoral Recipients Paving the Way for Women of Color in Healthcare An emergency room physician assistant, faculty member, and mother of two, Dipali Yeh found the thought of pursuing a doctoral degree [...]
H.O.P.E. Clinic Receives Award to Transition to Electronic Health Record System
H.O.P.E. Clinic Receives Award to Transition to Electronic Health Record System Health care technology company athenahealth will provide free electronic health record service, which will improve care to the Rutgers Health clinic’s uninsured patients. [...]
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