The students in the inaugural Physician Assistant (PA) program at Brescia University in Owensboro are seen during their White Coat Ceremony on Aug. 24, 2026. COURTESY OF BRESCIA UNIVERSITY

BY RACHEL WHELAN, BRESCIA UNIVERSITY 

Brescia University in Owensboro marked a historic milestone as students in the inaugural Physician Assistant (PA) program cohort received their white coats during a special White Coat Ceremony held on the Owensboro Health campus on Aug. 24, 2026.

The White Coat Ceremony is a significant tradition in healthcare education, symbolizing students’ entry into clinical training and their commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Surrounded by family, friends, faculty, and supporters, members of the inaugural cohort were presented with their white coats as they took an important step forward in their professional journeys.

Congratulations to the inaugural Physician Assistant cohort on this remarkable achievement and the start of an exciting journey. The cohort members are:

Alicia Gourley, PA-S

Cyia Haycraft, PA-S

Kloee Johnston, PA-S

Josephine Gesser-Rouch, PA-S

Adriann Kirnos, PA-S

Michelle Maag, PA-S

Katharine Mahoney, PA-S

Nicholas Miller, PA-S

Thadeus Ted Pabello, PA-S

Sahira Patel, PA-S

Avery Patrick, PA-S

Ethan Petrosky, PA-S

Rhianna Pickrell, PA-S

Lexi Quartaro, PA-S

Jaci Richardson, PA-S

Carley Smith, PA-S

Brody Strobakken, PA-S

Dale Ann Sunny, PA-S

Ashley Williams, PA-S

Valerie Adams, PA-S

Chibuike Amadi, PA-S

Angel Bradley, PA-S

Samantha Colglazier, PA-S

Jaylee Covington, PA-S

Brock DeRoche, PA-S

Jayla Ditterline, PA-S

Grace Drexel, PA-S

Katherine Files, PA-S

Wyatt Fireline, PA-S

Vivienne Foltz, PA-S

To learn more, visit www.brescia.edu/program/physician-assistant-program.