2026 PA Student of the Year Champions Access, Education, and Team‑Based Care 

Nichole Geist demonstrates leadership both in and outside the classroom

May 14, 2026

By Alex Morse

Shaped by years of teamwork as a former athlete, soon-to-be physician associate Nichole Geist is deeply committed to leadership and community engagement. Named the 2026 PA Student of the Year, Geist has over 700 verified hours of community service and has led multiple programs to advance the PA profession and improve health outcomes for patients. 

The PA Student of the Year Award honors a PA student who furthers the image of PAs and PA students; gives self-sacrificing time and effort in service to community; demonstrates leadership and professionalism; and exemplifies the PA profession’s philosophy of providing accessible, quality healthcare to all. 

Prior to PA school, Geist served as an EMT, a behavioral technician, and a lead psychiatric technician—experiences that inspired her to enter PA school at the Rutgers School of Health Professions (SHP).  

“Those experiences showed me how important and influential it can be to remain calm, think critically, and provide both clinical care and reassurance when patients need it most,” said Geist. “I was drawn to the responsibility and privilege of being trusted in those moments.” 

Through the Rutgers Health Service Corps (RHSC), Geist serves as a community health ambassador, providing education on cancer screening, hypertension, diabetes, and asthma. In this role, she developed clear, practical presentations to help community members better understand clinical topics and feel more comfortable asking questions about their health. Now, those materials will be used by student volunteers across multiple outreach sites.  

“Through my work with the RHSC, I’ve seen how extending care beyond clinical settings—through community education—can empower individuals and improve health outcomes,” she said. “That experience reinforced my commitment to service and health equity.” 

With the expertise from RHSC, Geist also helped to organize and configure the HOPE Specialty Connection Directory, a digital platform that streamlines referrals. The platform connects uninsured and underinsured patients with charity-care specialty services, enabling providers to efficiently coordinate appropriate follow-up care and navigate complex healthcare systems on their patients’ behalf. 

“The role of a PA extends beyond diagnosis to include education, advocacy, and the responsibility to empower others,” said Geist, who received the President’s Volunteer Service Award in recognition of her sustained commitment to service and community engagement. “My time at Rutgers has strengthened not only my clinical abilities, but also my confidence in knowing that I will be a capable and compassionate provider.” 

Her service spans a wide range of initiatives, including Meals on Wheels, prehospital EMS support, academic tutoring for local high school students, and public health outreach with organizations like Rutgers Interdisciplinary Opioid Training (RIOT) and the Alzheimer’s Association.  

Her involvement with the Alzheimer’s Association is deeply personal. After witnessing her grandmother’s experience with dementia, Geist became a volunteer to support other families facing similar challenges. She helped facilitate a college student caregiver support group, connecting students with resources and providing a space to openly discuss the challenges of balancing academics with caregiving responsibilities. 

“Nichole’s leadership impact on the Rutgers School of Health Professions has been transformative,” said Jessica Gomes, DHSc, PA-C, Associate Program Director at the Rutgers PA Program. “She is a system-builder, a community-centered leader, and a thoughtful, service-oriented emerging clinician who consistently improves the environments she enters.” 

Geist emphasized her gratitude to the Rutgers SHP and PA faculty and staff. “Their willingness to take a chance on me and their continued support in fostering my growth have truly shaped who I am today,” she said. “I would not be where I am without them.” 

As president of the SHP’s Student Government Association, Geist partnered with a committed executive board and school leadership to strengthen and elevate the organization into a highly functional student leadership body. Through this collaboration, they established a full executive board and restored student representation. They also advanced initiatives centered on service, collaboration, and student support, including a campus food pantry drive, a suicide prevention walk, and scholarship fundraising for students facing financial hardship. 

Geist, who eventually hopes to pursue emergency medicine, is set to graduate in May 2026 and has accepted a position as an urgent care PA.  

“At its core, being a PA is about meeting patients where they are, recognizing that each person’s story, values, and beliefs shape their health and healthcare experience,” said Geist. “It requires cultural humility—the willingness to listen, learn, and continuously reflect on how we can better serve others.” 

Alex Morse is AAPA’s Communications Manager. She can be reached at [email protected].