PA Week: Student, Faculty and Alumni Perspectives
Posted on October 7, 2026
In recognition of PA Week, the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions is highlighting a student, faculty member and alumnus whose experiences reflect the paths, preparation and impact of the physician assistant profession.
Through their education, clinical experience and service, each offers a different perspective on South Alabama’s Physician Assistant Studies program and the work of preparing healthcare professionals to serve patients and communities.
Student spotlight: Carolina Chandler
Carolina Chandler’s path to South Alabama’s Physician Assistant Studies program began in Ecuador, where she had long imagined a future in medicine.
Two experiences eventually pushed that interest into a clearer calling. After a devastating earthquake struck Ecuador in 2016, Chandler remembers wishing she had the medical knowledge to help those in need. Years later, when her grandmother became critically ill with COVID-19, Chandler helped care for her at home under the virtual guidance of a healthcare provider.
“Together, these experiences became turning points that confirmed what I had felt for years: healthcare was where I was meant to be,” Chandler said.
After moving to the United States, she learned more about the physician assistant profession and found that it offered the combination of patient care, medical knowledge, teamwork and flexibility she was looking for. She chose South because of the program’s academic preparation, emphasis on rural medicine and proximity to family in Florida.
Chandler said the support of South’s PA faculty has been one of the strongest parts of her experience.
“They are some of the most passionate people I have ever met,” she said. “They genuinely love medicine, they love being providers, and they truly love teaching.”
As she moves into the clinical year, Chandler is looking forward to putting what she learned in the classroom into practice and exploring specialties including surgery and emergency medicine.
“More than anything, I am excited to experience the transition from being a student who learns about medicine to becoming a student who can actually apply that knowledge to help patients,” she said.
Faculty spotlight: Dr. Marcelo Gerjoi
Dr. Marcelo Gerjoi, assistant professor of instruction in South Alabama’s Physician Assistant Studies program, brings a varied background in healthcare, military service and clinical practice to the classroom.
Gerjoi’s path to the PA profession included chiropractic medicine, service as an Army
Reserve medic and clinical experience in orthopedic spine, orthopedic trauma and neurosurgery.
His connection to South dates to 2019, when he joined USA Health neurosurgery. In that role, he also helped train future healthcare professionals by precepting PA, nurse practitioner and medical students, as well as students gaining experience before applying to PA programs.
Gerjoi has served in the Army Reserve since 2011, beginning as an enlisted soldier before becoming an officer. He said that experience continues to influence the way he approaches leadership and teaching.
“I started enlisted and became an officer. This has taught me to never forget my roots,” Gerjoi said. “I never ask anyone to do anything I don’t expect of myself.”
His connection with Erin Lunn, chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies, also began through the Army Reserve. The two remained in contact as Gerjoi continued his clinical career, and when a faculty opportunity became available at South, he saw the chance to pursue a longtime interest in teaching.
“I have always loved and wanted to teach,” he said. “I just wanted enough time and experience to be worthy of the position.”
Gerjoi said one of the things that stands out most about South’s PA program is the sense of connection among faculty and students.
“We are a family,” he said. “They say they can tell that we are a very cohesive team, and I agree.”
Alumni spotlight: Patrick Adair
Patrick Adair’s path to the physician assistant profession began when South Alabama’s PA program was still new.
Adair initially considered a career in physical therapy, but changes in the profession
led him to explore other healthcare careers. As he learned more about the physician
assistant profession and South’s new program, his interest grew.
“The more I looked into it, the more interested I became,” Adair said.
After graduating from South, Adair began his career in general orthopedics in Enterprise, Alabama. He later moved to St. Louis, where he served as chief PA at Saint Louis University and specialized in orthopedic trauma. He eventually returned to the Gulf Coast and has spent the past 16 years working with a total joint team in Pensacola, Florida.
As his career has progressed, Adair has increasingly focused on helping educate future physician assistants. He has worked as an instructor in South Alabama’s simulation lab, regularly hosts PA students for clinical experiences and works with the pre-PA program at Florida State University.
Adair credits his education at South and the relationships he developed with faculty with helping prepare him for his career.
“I couldn’t do it without my education at South Alabama,” he said. “I continue to feel as though this is one of the best programs that I have been fortunate enough to be involved with.”
For current PA students, Adair encourages them to focus on understanding the material rather than simply memorizing it and to build relationships with their classmates and instructors.
“Try to form relationships with your peers and instructors, as they will last for many, many years,” he said. “Remember, we provide a very important role for the community.”
