“For me, learning and teaching naturally go together, especially in the field of health care,” he says. “As a physician assistant, it is crucial that I stay current with trends and practices in medicine and that I help to educate and care for my patients.”
By: Kathleen Cardwell
As an instructor and as a student, Andrew Webber ’20, Ph.D., PA-C, is no stranger to classrooms. He taught science courses at the University of Cincinnati (UC), Northern Kentucky University, and Miami University’s Hamilton campus. He holds a Ph.D. in Geology/Invertebrate Paleontology from the University of Cincinnati and, most recently, his master’s degree in Physician Assistant (PA) Studies at the Mount.
Dr. Webber knew acceptance into the Mount’s PA Program would require prerequisite courses, many of which he had once taken some 15 years ago. He wasn’t fazed by this, or fazed by entering classrooms at UC and recognizing that a few of his new classmates were former students he had once taught. For Dr. Webber, this was all part of his grander plan: to have a career in medicine.
“For me, learning and teaching naturally go together, especially in the field of health care,” he says. “As a physician assistant, it is crucial that I stay current with trends and practices in medicine and that I help to educate and care for my patients.”
Dr. Webber’s interest in medicine is partly derived from admiring his father, a dentist, who demonstrated commitment and care toward his patients. Later galvanized by his father’s recovery from a heart attack, he found himself once again drawn toward health care, where he could help others face life’s toughest challenges.
“I’m proud to have been part of the first PA Program in Cincinnati, where my family and friends are. I was really impressed with the reputation of the Mount’s School of Health Sciences, including the expert faculty. The closeknit cohort model enabled all of us, as students, to interact, learn, and collaborate as a team, and as medical professionals.”
His advice to future PA students stems from his firsthand experiences with the challenges of juggling work, life, family, and school. While taking his prerequisite courses for the PA Program, Dr. Webber was also working at a retail store, teaching, and serving as a volunteer EMT, all while being a husband and a father.
“It’s rigorous but it’s worth every minute because you’re learning so much, building a future, and you’re becoming part of an incredible network of health care professionals and colleagues ... many who will become lifelong friends.”