UWL student returns to grad school, expanding his role in patient care

Posted 9:50 a.m. Wednesday , Jan. 14 , 2026

UWL student returns to grad school, expanding his role in patient care

UW-La Crosse Physician Assistant Studies student Sam Weigel spent this fall semester immersed in the study of the human body - exploring everything from the gastrointestinal system to the heart, lungs and kidneys. It's a demanding pace, but one he welcomes.

"All of the gaps in my medical knowledge are slowly being filled in," Weigel says. "It's a lot of fun. I love learning."

Before returning to school, Weigel worked as a physical therapist at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. But, after years in that role, he felt drawn to expand his scope of practice and pursue a new challenge - returning to graduate school to become a physician assistant.

Weigel's return to graduate school reflects a broader pattern among professionals who seek to expand their scope of practice later in their careers. Nationally, more than a quarter of prospective graduate students already hold a graduate degree, according to a survey by UPCEA and Collegis Education.

"At first, I was surprised to see the proportion was so high," says Meredith Thomsen, dean of Graduate & Extended Learning at UWL. "But when you consider how graduate study can open new opportunities for personal growth and career advancement, it makes sense that some individuals choose to come back for more."

While most PA Studies students enter the program shortly after completing their undergraduate degree, about 5% of students in the program this year are considered non-traditional, returning to graduate study at age 25 or older, according to UWL Institutional Research, Assessment & Planning.

"Students pursue the PA profession for many reasons, most commonly for greater autonomy in professional practice and competitive pay," says PA Studies Program Director Maggie Laufenberg.

Weigel says the decision to pursue the PA path was influenced by both professional goals and family aspirations.

"As my wife and I think about growing our family, I want to be able to provide more," he says. "Becoming a PA felt like the perfect opportunity - it allows me to expand my scope of practice and gives me flexibility to work in different medical specialties throughout my career."

Working alongside other healthcare providers as a physical therapist gave Weigel a firsthand look at the PA profession - and inspired him to take the leap.

Now in the first year of the two-year program, Weigel says he appreciates the variety of lectures led by both UWL faculty and guest presenters, including active and retired physicians who bring real-world experience into the classroom. He's also looking forward to his clinical rotations, where partnerships with regional healthcare institutions will allow him to apply what he's learned in a hands-on setting.

"This program is excellent," he says. "The professors are wonderful and supportive. They challenge us in different ways and push us hard, but only because they know we can do it."