Physician Assistant Faculty: Laura Gerstner

What is your role at Campbell?  

I have been the director of Clinical Education for the PA Program since 2010 (a year before our first class of students started).  I also serve as chair of the Admissions Committee and a faculty advisor to the Wallace Student Society.

What are your research interests?

I have research interests in interprofessional education, as well as experiential education, more specifically preceptor development.

What have you gained from working at Campbell?

The PA Program prides itself on molding the next generation of PAs to be knowledgeable and skilled healthcare professionals who are equipped to serve patients. From working at Campbell, I have gained a new cohort of phenomenal colleagues each year when we graduate each class of PAs! I have also gained wonderful interprofessional colleagues that have become like family to me.

What are the accomplishments, passions, and experiences that you bring to the Campbell family?

In the classroom, I have a passion for teaching students surgical clinical skills (suturing, knot tying) and orthopedic physical exam and diseases. In the clinical year (my primary role), I enjoy helping students grow from inexperienced early clinical year students to confident, knowledgeable healthcare providers by the time of graduation. I also enjoy the work I do through the Physician Assistant Education Association training new clinical educators in PA education skills necessary for successful careers.

What is your educational experience?

I have a BS in Kinesiology from Penn State University, a MS in Health Science from George Washington University (PA degree), and a Masters of Healthcare Administration from UNC-Chapel Hill. I am a certified PA through NCCPA.