From experience to excellence: Dr. Matt McQuillan's path to a doctoral degree
Dr. Matt McQuillan, DMSc, PA-C, chair and associate professor in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at the School of Health Professions at Rutgers University, has spent more than 25 years shaping the future of Physician Assistant education. His path to this achievement, however, was anything but conventional. Originally working in the airline industry, Matt served as a crew member, instructor, recruiter, and supervisor. While he cherished the excitement of travel, the company’s financial uncertainty led him to consider a new career.
His introduction to the PA profession was serendipitous. Without having met a PA or knowing much about the role, he dove headfirst into the challenging process of applying to PA programs, taking prerequisites, while still working led him to continue his studies—on a beach in the Bahamas or a hotel room in London. Driven by a deep sense of purpose, he soon embraced the PA field, eventually transitioning to PA education, where he has served for over two decades.
He has served in numerous roles, each deepening his dedication to advancing the PA profession and mentoring the next generation of practitioners. He rose through the ranks to become department chair at Rutgers University. While he had begun his pursuit of a doctoral degree years prior, life’s demands had interrupted his journey. The SIU DMSc program offered him a timely, focused path to fulfill the doctoral requirement needed to remain department chair—and rekindle his passion for PA education.
His journey through the program was demanding, especially balancing full-time work and studies. Despite the rigor, he excelled academically, even earning the Excellence in Scholarship award and the honor of speaking as class representative at the Class of 2023 Hooding Ceremony. His work, including a collaborative research project with other PA educators, has since been accepted for publication, a testament to the impact his DMSc experience had on his scholarship.
“The DMSc allowed me to sharpen my research skills, and with three manuscripts already published or under review, my scholarly contributions continue to grow.”
The DMSc program helped him reconnect with his passion for both teaching and the profession, reminding him why he chose this path years ago. The program’s rigorous academic environment and support from its faculty renewed his love for PA education, inspiring him to continue guiding new generations of PA educators and students with a fresh perspective and a deepened commitment.
Dr. McQuillan has been a steadfast advocate for the PA profession, a role he proudly maintains. With an impressive history as a PA educator and a keen sense of humor, he reflects on his DMSc journey as a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience. His advice to others considering the program? Be prepared for an intense, fast-paced curriculum but know that the journey will be deeply enriching.
The JPAE Podcast hosted by Trenton Honda and Carey Barry: Episode 7 featuring Dr. Matthew McQuillan
Previous podcasts: Season 1: Episode 16: Rutgers University - Matthew McQuillan, MS, PA-C
