A Journey from Undergraduate Classes to Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Dubuque

DUBUQUE, Iowa - Maddie Bowers (C'22) has loved the University of Dubuque from the moment she walked on campus as an 18-year-old first-year student to the moment she walked across the stage as a 26-year-old physician assistant studies graduate.

"I was so fortunate to have found the college that was the perfect fit for me from the start," Bowers said. "Along with acquiring all the things I was looking for in a school, I continued to feel valued, safe, and genuinely happy throughout my time at the University of Dubuque. With each year, I was presented with new possibilities and through these gained new experiences and relationships that played an important role in who I am today. This is why my love and respect for UD continued to grow stronger."

The Mineral Point, Wisconsin, native was one of 29 students eligible to participate in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Commencement Ceremony on Friday, December 5, 2025, in John and Alice Butler Hall, Heritage Center. Every year, there is usually one to two MSPAS students who graduate who also attended UD as an undergraduate. Bowers, who majored in biology and earned a bachelor of science from UD in 2022, is the only such student this year.

"Maddie is personable, encouraging, and always shows up with a smile," said Natalie Weber, DMSc, PA-C, program director and associate professor for the MSPAS program. "Having completed her undergraduate studies at UD and choosing to continue her education at UDPA reflects the strong sense of community that is at the heart of the University of Dubuque."

It was important for Bowers to find a college that was close to home with a golf program and small class sizes where professors would know her by name. UD checked all those boxes and more. Bowers knew she wanted to become a PA, so attending a college as an undergraduate with a MSPAS program was an additional benefit.

"There are so many things that I will forever cherish about UD," Bowers said. "I have so many great memories being a part of the women's golf team - especially traveling to Ireland, winning conference, and playing at the national tournament. Additionally, I am grateful for the memories I will carry with me and the many relationships I have made. I truly enjoyed walking around campus each day and receiving warm hellos from students, staff, and faculty. Most of all, I will look back at and be proud of what UD allowed me to accomplish. I never gave up and will forever cherish that UD was where so many of my dreams I worked so hard for became a reality."

Bowers was a leader in the classroom, on the women's golf team, and beyond. As an undergraduate, she was a Wendt Character Scholar, an employee at Mike & Betty's Ice Cream Shoppe, and a member of the UD Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success, UD Chemistry Club, and UD Pre-Health Professions Club. Bowers also conducted research through the Joseph and Linda Chlapaty Summer Research Fellowship as well as the Women in Science scholarship. Additionally, she volunteered as a mock patient for the MSPAS program and was a teaching assistant for anatomy and physiology classes.

As a MSPAS student, Bowers volunteered in fundraisers to promote the PA profession, participated in various cancer and Alzheimer's awareness walks, and held a leadership role to develop the first annual UDPA golf fundraiser. She also worked as a CNA and completed 11 clinical rotations in Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin in areas such as emergency medicine, family medicine, general surgery, and more.

Throughout it all, some of her biggest supporters have been her professors and coach.

"My undergraduate professors, specifically Dr. Adam Hoffman and Dr. Kelly Grussendorf, have always pushed me to follow my dreams and helped make that possible," Bowers said. "Additionally, my coach Dustin Bierman gave me confidence I never had. He has mentored me both on and off the golf course. He was there to celebrate every win, help me learn with every loss, and taught me that with hard work and a goal anything is possible. The UDPA faculty and staff treat every student as their own family. They truly want you to succeed and be another great provider. They encouraged me to keep going, battled every setback alongside me, listened, and showed me how much they truly cared to get me through."

Bowers' kindness, resilience, and compassion for others shone brightly in the classroom.

"As both a UD undergraduate and now a graduate of our PA program, Maddie embodies the University of Dubuque's mission of cultivating relationships that encourage intellectual, spiritual, and moral development," said Cortney Kueter, PA-C, associate professor for the MSPAS program who was Bowers' advisor. "Maddie consistently demonstrates self-awareness, resilience, and a genuine desire to improve. These qualities make her a strong role model for the students who follow in her footsteps. It has been incredibly meaningful to mentor her through this journey, and I am genuinely proud to soon welcome her as a colleague in our profession. Maddie has truly made UD proud, and I look forward to seeing the impact she will make in the lives of her patients."

After graduation, Bowers plans to stay in the Dubuque area and pursue a career in emergency medicine or orthopedic surgery. Her path to the PA profession began to take shape in high school when she helped take care of family members.

"In those years, I earned my CNA license and started caring for other loved ones ... and was introduced to the PA profession," Bowers said. "I loved the bridge PAs form between nurses and doctors and the compassionate care PAs provide that always included patient education and patient shared decision making in the process. Additionally, I love the ability PAs have that allows them to jump around through all different specialties and utilize a variety of skills in those."

Bowers encourages other Spartans to keep working towards their dreams.

"Things will be hard, mistakes will occur, and 'bad' days will happen. Take one day at a time and don't give up," she said. "UD has so many possibilities and resources out there. Keep taking chances, laugh, and make memories. You will thank yourself later."