Physician Assistant - Internal Medicine Fellowship Program

Medical Education in West Michigan

Trinity Health offers an 18-month post-graduate fellowship for Physician Assistants in the area of Internal Medicine. This program is accomplished through a system wide involvement of our Trinity Health Muskegon campus. We train highly qualified graduate PAs through a diverse didactic instruction and advanced clinical education experience to provide quality care to those in need.

The program accepts two (2) NCCPA accredited PAs per cycle. These PAs must hold both a valid Michigan Physician Assistant and Michigan Controlled Substance License.

The academic calendar typically runs January (year one) thru July (year two) for a total of 18 months. This calendar may be altered due to the rolling admission process.  All students will complete the 18-month program.

The curriculum is designed to allow for the fellow to learn in two-to-four-week blocks in a variety of areas, including:

Upon graduation, fellows will be awarded a Trinity Health certificate documenting completion of the post-graduate fellowship. They will have the needed number of hours, procedure proficiency and CME needed to sit for their NCCPA CAQ in Hospital Medicine. Such certification will make the graduate more competitive in the job market in both an inpatient hospital medicine market, as well as an outpatient setting. Additionally, exposure would be gained inside the Trinity Health Muskegon regional market enhancing potential employment after successful completion of the fellowship.

Mission Statement

"To provide the enhancement of a well-rounded education that further provides a sound understanding of internal medicine. This experience will build upon the knowledge, compassion and skill set needed to provide exceptional care to those patients in need. This will be accomplished through a strong focus on clinical education, didactic review and self-improvement."

Admission Criteria and Application Process

Candidates for the fellowship are required to have:

• Graduated from an ARC-PA accredited PA program and be able to provide transcripts at start of fellowship.
• Current students/New Graduates are welcome to apply 
• Have board eligibility or be board certified by the NCCPA at start of fellowship
• 3 Letters of Recommendation
• AHA BLS/ACLS Certification
• A valid Michigan PA License and Michigan Controlled Substance License

The candidate must maintain all needed licensing and certification throughout the duration of the residency. Additionally, the candidate must be able to maintain health screenings and immunization standards set forth by institutional and CDC policy.

Admission review will be based on work and life experience, education and academic records, letters of recommendation, personal statements, full completion of the application and personal interview.

Application cycle is a rolling process allowing all candidates an opportunity for application. Applications will be accepted at any time and admission to the fellowship can occur at any point in the year. A maximum of two residents can be enrolled per calendar year.

Program Goals

The PA Fellow will develop:

• A broad knowledge base in the commonly seen diseases associated with hospital-based internal medicine, outpatient internal medicine and conditions associated with the above clinical areas. They will be exposed to all medical, surgical, and diagnostic treatments to those said areas. They will develop a sound understanding of physiology, pathophysiology, and common evidenced-based practice.
• They will enhance their ability to develop a working problem list, differential diagnosis, and treatment plan.
• They will develop an understanding of cost-effective care, resource management and improved patient outcomes. They will holistically manage patients in a variety of settings. Ultimately, they will develop the skills needed to become a well-rounded PA excelling in complete patient care.

Contact Us

Please contact the Trinity Health Muskegon Medical Education Department at:

Medical Education Department 
Trinity Health Muskegon 
1675 Leahy St., Suite 315A 
Muskegon, MI 49442 
Phone: 231-672-8282

Or the Program Coordinator Yoon Kelley at Yoonhee.Kelley@trinity-health.org or Program Director Timothy Gawronski, PA-C at gawronst@trinity-health.org.