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MORE ABOUT MADISON
When Madison Donnelly stepped onto Hofstra’s campus during a tour, she knew instantly that she had found her new home. Drawn to Hofstra for its dual-degree Physician Assistant Studies program and its proximity to New York City, Madison began a six-year journey that would shape her future and launch a career filled with purpose and promise.
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“I know it sounds cliché, but I really did feel at home right away,” she said. “Hofstra gave me everything I didn’t know I needed.”
Throughout her time at Hofstra, Madison immersed herself in academic and leadership opportunities. She was a member of the medical Challenge Bowl team, participating in four competitions – including two national events – and placing fourth in the nation her first year. She worked as a pharmacology and physiology tutor and served as an admissions ambassador, introducing prospective students to Hofstra and the PA program.
Her master’s thesis explored attention span and social media use, and she credits her mentors – Dr. William Heuser, Dr. Gina Pontrelli, and alumna Colleen Petrere – for inspiring her growth as a clinician and a leader.
After passing the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) in January 2025, Madison accepted a position as a family medicine PA at Saratoga Family Medicine in Malta, NY. She’s also making an impact on a global scale, serving as the first PA and only U.S.-based regional lead for the Osmosis Health Leadership Initiative, a community committed to improving healthcare education worldwide.
Looking back, Madison says it’s the people – friends, professors, and colleagues – she misses most, along with some campus favorites. “I definitely miss the Hofstra squirrels and cats,” she laughed.
Today, she’s passionate about giving back and mentoring the next generation of PAs. “I didn’t understand the power of mentorship until Hofstra,” she said. “Now, it’s something I truly cherish – and something I strive to pay forward.”
» Madison’s story isn’t unique. In fact, among Hofstra University’s 2022-2023 undergraduate degree recipients, 100% of alumni from the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies reported that they were employed or had started or were planning to start graduate school within one year of graduation. Results are based on data collected from the Alumni Outcomes survey, LinkedIn, National Student Clearinghouse, and Hofstra enrollment (89% knowledge rate). Visit hofstra.edu/outcomes for detailed information.
