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ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ physician assistant studies students leave mark at National Medical Challenge Bowl

Jun 24, 2026, 09:34 by User Not Found
For the second straight year, students in the physician assistant studies program at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ had an impressive showing at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) National Medical Challenge Bowl.


For the second straight year, students in the physician assistant studies program at ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ had an impressive showing at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) National Medical Challenge Bowl.
 
This year’s competition, held May 22 during the AAPA national conference in Nashville, Tennessee, drew 89 teams from across the country including from such prestigious schools as Duke, Stanford and Yale.
 
SBU students in Challenge BowlThe ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ team composed of Steven DeBellis, Jillian Pancio and Zainab Rasheed (left to right in accompanying photo) was one of 36 teams that made it out of the first round, in which teams must answer 20 multiple choice questions on various medical topics.
 
In their on-stage appearance in the second round, in a match with teams from St. Louis University, the University of South Alabama and Radford University, the ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ team fell just two questions short of advancing.
 
The ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ students were coached by Kesha Steighner and Rachel Harten, clinical assistant professors in ΒιΆΉΣ³»­β€™s PA studies program and co-advisers of the university’s Physician Assistant Student Society.
 
β€œWe couldn’t be prouder of this year’s team,” said Steighner. β€œThe competition was fierce this year with more teams participating. Finishing in the top third of PA programs from across the country is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our students.”
 
The ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ team in last year’s Challenge Bowl also advanced out of the first round.
 
β€œThe National Medical Challenge Bowl is an event that fosters fun, school pride and friendly competition that is infectious for all,” according to AAPA. β€œWinning is not the focus of the event. Learning and fun are the goals.”
   
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ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. ΒιΆΉΣ³»­ was named the #5 regional university value in the North in U.S. News and World Report’s 2022 college rankings edition.