The College’s plan to develop a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) is progressing steadily. The program is designed to broaden our commitment to preparing students for vital roles in health care.
With the concept developed in 2024, the College hopes to launch it in October 2027 following approval from the New York State Education Department.
One of the latest updates is the addition of Alicia Kelley, DScPAS, as the founding program director of the emergent program.
Dr. Kelley joins us following several instructional and administrative positions in the PA program at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. As an associate professor in the School of Physician Assistant Studies, she was involved in the development, oversight and instruction of the didactic phase of the PA program. As program director and dean, she successfully led the program through the accreditation site visit resulting in 10 years of continued ARC-PA accreditation.
In addition to her academic experience, she has worked clinically as a PA in hospital medicine, cardiovascular medicine, emergency medicine, vascular surgery and long-term acute care.
Dr. Kelley holds a BS and MS in Physician Assistant/Health Sciences and a doctorate in PA studies from MCPHS, as well as a BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is board certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).
“Leading this new PA program from the ground up is a thrilling opportunity,” said Dr. Kelley. “We are focused on developing a curriculum that exceeds accreditation requirements and fosters a patient-centered collaborative mindset, preparing students to excel in a rapidly changing healthcare environment.”
The College has also recently hired Erin Frawley MMS, PA-C as a full-time principal faculty member for the program. Frawley has experience in PA education as the associate program director and academic coordinator for Touro University Physician Assistant Program. She contributed to gaining ARC-PA provisional accreditation for the program.
Frawley also worked as adjunct professor for Standford University PA Program and as a clinical instructor for Yale University PA program. She is an NCCPA board-certified PA who practices clinically in the field of oncology, specifically blood and bone marrow transplantation and cellular therapy. She also has experience in hospital medicine, and post-acute care medicine. Frawley holds a Master of Medical Science in physician assistant studies from Wake Forest School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in Biopsychology from Wagner College.
These new hires follow the August 2025 announcement of Estevan Garcia, MD, as medical director for the emergent program. Dr. Garcia brings extensive expertise in clinical practice, higher education, public health, and health system leadership to this position.
Dr. Garcia recently joined Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), a member of Dartmouth Health, as their CEO and president. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Garcia, a specialist in pediatric emergency medicine, served as Chief Health and Wellness Officer (CHWO) at Dartmouth College and Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at Dartmouth’s Geisel School of Medicine.
He has a 30-year career in healthcare, previously serving as chief medical officer at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, a Mass General Brigham affiliate, in Northampton, MA, and at Brookdale University Hospital, in Brooklyn, NY; vice president and medical director for risk management at Hospitals Insurance Company; and interim CEO of Tewksbury Hospital in Tewksbury, MA.
Dr. Garcia received his medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He completed a pediatrics residency and a pediatric emergency medicine fellowship at the Children’s Medical Center of Dallas, part of UT Southwestern Medical Center. Dr. Garcia has earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from New York University and a doctorate in public health (DrPH) from City University of New York. He is board certified in general pediatrics and pediatric emergency medicine and is a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
Next Steps for the PA Program
Additional recruitment efforts are underway for two principal faculty members and a clinical coordinator.
Plans to renovate a physical examination laboratory in the Holland Building are moving forward, and the proposal from the selected architectural firm has been approved.
The application to register the MPAS program as a licensed profession has been submitted to the New York State Education Department’s Office of Professions.
In parallel, President Tofade has played a key role in strengthening partnerships with regional medical centers to support supervised clinical practice experiences. Affiliation agreements are in place with Berkshire Health Systems and Ellis Hospital, and discussions with additional clinical partners are ongoing.
The goal is to launch the MPAS in October 2027.
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