Creighton’s first Phoenix PA class graduates, advancing healthcare in the Southwest
In December 2025, Creighton University will celebrate a milestone nearly a decade in the making: the graduation of the first cohort of physician assistant (PA) students from the University’s Phoenix campus.
Thirty-four students—trailblazers in every sense—will cross the stage and into their vocations as healthcare professionals, joining a growing network of Creighton-trained leaders serving across the country. For the students, this moment is the culmination of 28 months of rigorous, interprofessional education grounded in Jesuit values. For Creighton, it represents a deeply meaningful step in a bold commitment to form compassionate professionals.
“The graduation of the inaugural class of physician assistants in Phoenix marks another historic event for the Creighton University School of Medicine,” said Randy Richardson, MD, regional dean. “The School of Medicine’s presence in Phoenix officially began in 2012 and has now grown to 168 physician assistant students and 480 medical students. Having our first physician assistants graduate and begin their careers in Arizona marks the beginning of a new era of providers trained as compassionate healers in the Ignatian tradition.”
Meeting healthcare needs in the Southwest
Creighton’s presence in Phoenix began in 2012 when the School of Medicine started offering third- and fourth-year clinical rotations for medical students in partnership with Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. In 2021, the Phoenix campus welcomed its first M1 class; by 2022, all four years of the medical school were represented on-site. The PA program began in fall 2023 and now, just 28 months later, the inaugural cohort is graduating.
This is more than a milestone—it’s mission in motion.
Creighton established the Phoenix campus in response to a growing need: Arizona faces a healthcare provider shortage, especially in rural and underserved communities. The University’s approach to medical and health sciences education resonated with regional partners who sought not only skilled clinicians but servant-leaders with a commitment to equity and excellence.
The Phoenix-based PA program prepares students through a hybrid curriculum of classroom and clinical experiences, all delivered in a collaborative, state-of-the-art health sciences setting. Students train alongside peers from nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy and medicine, learning to lead as part of interprofessional teams. The curriculum also emphasizes health systems awareness, cultural humility and service to others.
“Celebrating our first Phoenix physician assistant cohort underscores Creighton’s commitment to developing clinicians who serve with purpose and compassion,” said Lynzi Warner, MPAS, PA-C, assistant professor. “These graduates will translate that mission into meaningful impact as they step into roles that strengthen and uplift the communities they serve.”
Exceptional students to lead the future of healthcare
Several students from the Class of 2025 have already accepted positions in Arizona, strengthening the healthcare workforce and honoring the partnerships that made their training possible.
Gabe Nkumu
Hometown: Iowa City, Iowa
Undergrad: Concordia University–St. Paul
Major/Minor: Biology; Healthcare Administration
Post-graduation: Accepted a position in Arizona with Dignity Health Medical Group in sports medicine and orthopedic surgery.
On the next chapter: “I’m most looking forward to stepping into the role I’ve envisioned and worked tirelessly toward. Creighton has created an environment that fosters growth, resilience and confidence.”
Why Creighton: “Here I’m seen as a person—not just a résumé. The support I’ve received has been transformational. The most rewarding part has been the lifelong friendships with my classmates.”
Francesa Toste
Hometown: Medina, Minnesota
Undergrad: Creighton University
Major/Minors: Biology with Music and Business
Post-graduation: Returning to Minnesota to begin her career in patient care.
On her Creighton experience: “Our PA class includes students with diverse clinical backgrounds—from EMTs to scrub techs—and learning together gave me a unique view of team-based care. That teamwork, combined with empathetic communication, shaped who I’ll be as a PA.”
Why Creighton: “Creighton’s culture of care, excellence and Jesuit values is what drew me back for graduate school. The clinical experiences across the Phoenix Valley have inspired me and shaped the provider I’m becoming.”
Each graduate represents a ripple of impact—whether returning to their hometown to serve, working in high-need communities or advocating for patient-centered care.
Learn more about the Master of Physician Assistant Studies program in Phoenix.
