It all started in high school, Hanley ’25, MHS ’27, had the opportunity to be a part of an EMT program which quickly sparked his interest in the medical field.

Quinnipiac stood out to Hanley because he saw that the university equipped students with the most tools and opportunities helping students become effective healthcare professionals. The dual-degree program eased Hanley’s mind and allowed him to focus entirely on academics rather than the next application cycle. 

“Quinnipiac did an excellent job preparing me,” said Hanley.

As coursework becomes more clinically focused, he often finds himself drawing on concepts introduced during his undergraduate years, reinforcing both his understanding and confidence. That continuity between undergraduate and graduate education has made the intensity of the program feel challenging yet manageable.

Beyond academics, Hanley’s time at Quinnipiac has played a large role in shaping him into a future healthcare provider. He has served as class representative for the ELMPA student development committee all four years of undergrad. This role allowed him to work collaboratively with professors and other physician assistant students.

“When someone has dedicated their career to the area of study they are teaching, it makes everything so much more engaging,” said Hanley, noting that this is exactly the kind of professors he has learned from at Quinnipiac.

Throughout his time at Quinnipiac, Hanley had come to value growth rather than perfection.

“The moments where I put my best effort even when I didn’t know what I was doing was where I felt I learned the most,” said Hanley.

As he continues deeper into the physician assistant program, Hanley is especially excited to build on the medical knowledge he has gained through hands-on learning experiences, including emergency medicine and surgery labs where he will begin developing procedural skills.