Executive Board

President/Founder: Marcie Crandall; cranda55@msu.edu

Hello, my name is Marcie Crandall and I am a president of the MSU Pre-Physician Assistant Club. I am a senior this year with a major in Kinesiology and specialization in Health Promotion. During my preschool graduation, I announced that I wanted to become a “nurse or a dentist” when I grew up. Although, I already knew I wanted to be in the medical field at the age of four, I am sure if I had known what a PA was back then, I would have said that. A few years ago this group was formed by me, Jennifer Pitylak, and Meghan Adams. We constructed this club in hopes to inform students about this profession and be a resource for them. I am a certified phlebotomist and have some experience working in a pharmacy. I currently work as a General Health Screener and have an internship with Duncan Aviation as a Wellness Coordinator Intern to accumulate hours required by many PA schools. I love to keep busy by being involved with many teams and clubs. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and some of my hobbies include playing tennis, golfing, reading, traveling, and drawing. If you have any questions related to the club, please do not hesitate to contact me.

President: Christopher Zwick; zwickchr@msu.edu

My name is Christopher Zwick and I am a president of the Pre-PA Club at Michigan State University. I am a Biomedical Lab Diagnostics major with a specialization in Bioethics, Humanities, and Society. This past summer I became certified as an EMT-B. I am currently looking for a job to help build my patient care experience that is required for most of the PA schools I wish to attend. Upon my anticipated date of graduation in December of 2009, I plan to do an internship for my major while in the process of applying to PA schools. I currently work in a research lab on campus and enjoy participating in a variety of activities within the school. In my spare time, I like to engage in reading, exercise, and many types of IM sports.

Vice President: Stephanie Bynum; bynumste@msu.edu

Hello, my name is Stephanie Bynum. I am Lyman Briggs senior majoring in Nutritional Sciences with a specialization in Health Promotions. I have always been very interested in health and nutrition and knew that when I got older I wanted to have a career in the medical field. When my grandfather was diagnosed with a terminal illness, I began spending more time in hospitals and I discovered that being a physician assistant was the right career pathway for me. I am currently working at a local nursing home as a memory care CNA and find my job to be a very fulfilling way to obtain my direct patient care hours. I have also volunteered at Sparrow Hospital through the Service Learning program here at MSU. Outside of school and work I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, shopping, listening to music, and being active outdoors.

Secretary: Alexis Smith, smit1273@msu.edu

Hello! My name is Alexis Smith and I am the secretary of the Pre-PA club at MSU. I am a sophomore with a major in Kinesiology. Since I was young, my dream was to become a doctor. Along the way, I worried about where a family would fit in. I was not sure if medical school was the right direction for me. My last attempt was to shadow an orthopedic surgeon. The first day, he introduced me to his right hand man; the PA. His passion towards his profession astounded me and I immediately loved the role he played between the patient and the doctor. I knew I had found the perfect place for me. I am in the process of becoming a CNA and will hopefully working at a nursing home. I am on the MSU Cycling Team and my summers are filled with training for the annual DALMAC from Lansing to Mackinaw. Besides my passion for cycling, I enjoy spending time with my friends and family and being a Spartan Ambassador.

Treasurer: Kay Sczodronski, szcodron@msu.edu

Volunteer Services Chair: Ashleigh Collar, collaras@msu.edu

Hi! My name is Ashleigh Collar and I am the Volunteer Services Chair for the Michigan State Pre-PA Club. I am a senior in the college of Natural Science and my major is Human Biology. I’m currently working as an RCA at Timber Ridge Assisted Living Facility in East Lansing, and I love it! I was born and raised a Spartan, growing up ten minutes from the University. I’m one of five children and really enjoy being so close to home. Family life was one of the many things that drew me to the profession of a Physician Assistant. I’ve always known that I wanted to be a part of the medical field and once I learned more about PAs, I knew that this would be the career for me. I like that the role of a PA allows for more direct care time with patients and also allows flexibility for family life. In my spare time I like to hang out with family and friends, listen to music, watch movies, participate in outside sports and activities and spend time in our Great Lakes.

Special Events Coordinator: Jennifer Schlitzk@msu.edu

My name is Jennifer Schlitzkus and I am a junior with a Human Biology major. I am a member of Lyman Briggs and really enjoy the close knit atmosphere that the living learning community offers to students. I became interested in becoming a Physician Assistant while doing a research paper in High School. After learning about the profession I decided that it was the right fit for me. I have volunteered at Ingham Regional Hospital in Lansing and also gotten patient care hours at a physical therapy office back home. I have also shadowed many doctors and PA’s in different fields that have given more opportunities to learn about medicine. I am fascinated with the human body and cannot wait to get accepted to a PA school in Michigan or North Carolina and begin helping those in need.

Campus Communications Chair: Tricia Krumpholz, krumphol@msu.edu

Hello! My name is Tricia Krumpholz and I am a senior majoring in Sociology. Most people are surprised to learn I plan on becoming a PA after learning my major. Personally, I consider Sociology to be highly relevant to the field because a main duty of a PA is to treat patients from all different backgrounds. My passion for helping people and my interest in medicine are what drew me to this career. I started MSU as a Pre-Law major, but the summer after my freshman year my mom, a nurse, talked me into working alongside her at an Alzheimer’s foster care home. It is there where I accidentally discovered my love of the health care field. I have worked as a Nurse’s Aid for 2 ½ years now, and in Respite Care for a child with autism for 9 months. Outside of school and work I love to camp, fish, hike, bike, and read.

Historian: Lauren Gonyea, gonyea1a@msu.edu

Club Adviser, Kinesiology: Amy Tratt; tratt@msu.edu

Club Contact Email: msuprepa@gmail.com

To be added to the club's list serve please email our secretary (Alexis Smith) at smit1273@msu.edu. The list serve informs students of meetings, volunteer activities, and other Pre-PA related news.