Charter Alumna, Allison Phillips, shares where she is now, 10 years after graduating from Campbell’s PA program

On December 15, 2013, the College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences (CPHS) graduated its charter class of Physician Assistant students. The 34 members began the program in 2011 and set high standards for future classes that followed. As the ten-year anniversary approaches, CPHS would like to highlight some of these alumni and the incredible work they are doing.

Name: Allison Phillips

Program: Master of Physician Assistant Practice

Undergrad: BS in Biology, Campbell University

Where are you currently employed? UNC Health

Title: Advanced Practice Provider – Breast Medical Oncology

Tell us a little bit about how amazing your current position is and what you do. How are you making a positive impact? I have been with the breast medical oncology group at UNC for almost two years, taking care of patients at all stages of their breast cancer journey. After working in public health for the first seven years of my career, I made the transition to UNC, where I am still able to provide care to patients from diverse backgrounds from all across North Carolina. My fellow charter class member, Laura Blanchard, was one of the first PAs to ever join the oncology group at UNC, and we are both proud to represent the CPHS PA class of 2013 at UNC!

Why did you choose CPHS and what benefits do you believe you gained from attending Campbell?
I decided that I wanted to go to PA school during my junior year of undergrad at Campbell. When it was announced that my soon to be alma mater was going to open a Physician Assistant program, the decision of where I wanted to pursue my graduate degree was an easy one. During my time at Campbell, I have met and made many long-lasting relationships which have certainly made me who I am today.

Please summarize your personal, business, and academic journey:

2009 – BS Biology, Campbell

2013– MPAP, Campbell

2014-2021 – Physician Assistant at the Harnett County Department of Public Health providing care in the Child and Women’s Health clinics, where I also served as a clinical preceptor.

2015 – Became adjunct faculty member of the PA program at Campbell

2019 – Primary Care Champions Fellowship, Campbell

2019 – Presentation: Creating a Teen Clinic in Rural North Carolina, HRSA National Headquarters, Washington D.C.

2019 – Glaxo Smith Kline Child Health Award, North Carolina Public Health Association; Voted best pediatrician and best doctor/physician assistant in Harnett County

2021 – Advanced Practice Provider at UNC North Carolina Basnight Cancer Hospital

2022 – Presentation: Improving Collaboration Between Primary Care Providers and Oncologists for Breast Cancer Patients

2023 – Master of Health Professions Education, Campbell

Please summarize any additional accomplishments you would like to highlight or talk more personally about what you are passionate about: As a native of a small town in rural North Carolina, I know first-hand about some of the disparities and difficulties people living in these areas can face; I am most passionate about providing equitable care to patients from all brands of life. I also have a particular interest in improving health literacy; one of the things I find most rewarding in my work is when I am able to take complex medical information and explain it so that the patient has a better understanding of their diagnosis and treatment.

At Campbell we believe in purposeful lives and meaningful service. What legacy are you leaving? Working in oncology, I am often seeing patients during the most challenging time of their lives. If I am able to do anything that helps them through this difficult time then I feel that I have done my job.

Reasons why prospective students should choose Campbell over other Graduate and Professional Schools: Campbell’s emphasis on providing care for rural and other underserved populations as well as the emphasis on interprofessional education makes all of its medical graduate programs excellent choices!

Additional comments: I am so proud of all of the growth I have seen since I was a first-year student at Campbell in 2006. I remember when Carrie Rich Hall was the library!