York College PA Program Continues 100% Boards Pass Rate Success

Founded in 2004 by Dr. Robert Brugna, the Physician Assistant (PA) Program at York College, CUNY has built a reputation for producing highly skilled, compassionate medical providers who serve the New York City metropolitan area. Grounded in academic excellence and committed to expanding opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds, the program is marking a series of standout national achievements.

Over the past five years, the York College PA Program has consistently exceeded national standards on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Most notably, the 2022, 2025, and 2026 graduating cohorts all achieved a 100% first-time pass rate—far surpassing the national average. These recent results add to a longstanding record of York graduates ultimately passing the PANCE.

“This is a milestone that is not the result of luck; it is the direct outcome of the dedication, expertise, and mentorship our faculty, staff, adjuncts, and preceptors provide every day,” said PA Program Director Dr. Harry Persaud. “Whether they are teaching in the classroom, managing the complexities of program operations, or mentoring our students at clinical sites, their commitment to excellence is what makes these results possible.”

Dr. Persaud also credited clinical partners and the broader campus community: “Our partners provide the real-world wisdom and clinical rigor that allow our students to enter the profession with high levels of competence and confidence. A big thank you to the York College community for their continued support of our program and students.”

Department Chair Dr. Shawn Williams underscored how unusual such consistency is in PA education.

“Achieving a 100% pass rate for the third time in five years is an extraordinary accomplishment, and one that is exceptionally rare within PA education,” Williams said. “This level of consistency speaks volumes about the strength of our program and, most importantly, the collective excellence of our faculty and staff. From curriculum design to student support to clinical training, every member of this community plays a critical role.”

The core PA faculty includes Dr. Harry Persaud, Dr. Jason Herel, Dr. Jeanetta Yuan, Dr. Lorraine Sanassai, Professor Benjamin Rispoli, and Dr. Venee Cunningham. They are supported by three administrative professionals: Tenesha Spain, Lennart Olsson, and Rabeya Kahn. Together with adjunct faculty and clinical preceptors, they work to integrate evolving medical technologies into the curriculum while maintaining a focus on empathetic, holistic, and effective patient care for the surrounding communities.

“I am incredibly proud of what this team has achieved and grateful for the culture of accountability, rigor, and care that defines the York College PA Program,” Dr. Williams added.