Welcome from the Program Director
Welcome! I'm Dr. Kelly Ragusa Porta, Associate Dean of PA Studies and Program Director of the Weill Cornell Medicine Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants Program. I joined the program in May 2020 and have served in several leadership roles, including Associate Program Director for Accreditation and Interim Program Director, before assuming my current position.
I bring more than 20 years of clinical experience as a Physician Assistant, with a primary focus in pediatric specialties, including Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care and Newborn Medicine. I am also a co-founder of the New York State Society of PAs (NYSSPA) Pediatric Special Interest Group, where I remain committed to advancing professional development, collaboration, and advocacy for PAs working in pediatric care.
My passion extends beyond the classroom to advancing the PA profession and supporting the success of future PA students. I am a strong advocate for PA education and regularly engage in initiatives aimed at improving access, affordability, and educational opportunities for PA students. Most recently, I traveled to Washington, DC, to advocate for federal policy changes that would recognize PA students as professional students for federal loan purposes, helping to increase access to unsubsidized loan funding and reduce financial barriers to PA education.
Beginning in Fall 2026, I will serve a 3-year term as a Commissioner for the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA), the national accrediting body for PA education programs. Through this role, I look forward to contributing to the continued excellence and advancement of PA education nationwide.
Outside of my academic and clinical work, I enjoy spending time with my family, attending Broadway shows, walking my Bernedoodles, and perfecting homemade dessert recipes.
Weill Cornell Medicine Mission
Weill Cornell Medicine is changing medicine through care that puts people first, discoveries that break new ground, and education that shapes the future of science and healthcare. With a legacy of excellence and a commitment to innovation, we deliver personalized, compassionate care, conduct pioneering biomedical research, and train the next generation of healthcare leaders to advance care to patients locally and around the world.
Medical Education Mission
At Weill Cornell Medical College, our medical education mission is to educate, inspire, and empower the next generation of physicians and physician assistants to lead with purpose, compassion, and vision. Through our MD and PA programs, we prepare students not only to practice medicine but to become trusted, humanistic clinicians grounded in clinical excellence, scholarship, and a deep commitment to the patient.
We believe professional identity is not bestowed; it is built. Our students are challenged to engage deeply, reflect thoughtfully, and grow through rigorous training, close mentorship, and meaningful connection with peers, faculty, and patients. At every stage, we foster a learning environment that encourages curiosity, accountability, and lifelong learning.
Scholarship is integrated throughout both the M.D. and PA programs, not only as a requirement but as a mindset. We cultivate habits of inquiry, evidence-based practice, and critical thinking that fuel discovery and improve care. Whether through research, quality improvement, or innovations in education and health systems, our graduates are prepared to contribute meaningfully to the future of medicine.
Our curricula are designed to be dynamic, relevant, and focused on the future. They strengthen clinical reasoning, embrace new technologies, and support collaboration across disciplines. Through strong academic and clinical partnerships, we prepare our graduates to lead in a healthcare system that demands adaptability, empathy, and bold thinking.
At the center of it all is the patient. Weill Cornell Medical College graduates carry forward a tradition of excellence in service, defined not only by what they know but by how they listen, connect, and care.
Weill Cornell Medicine PA Program Mission
In alignment with the Weill Cornell Medicine Medical Education Mission, the mission of the Weill Cornell Medicine Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants MSHS PA Program is to foster a curious and innovative learning environment that develops students into highly skilled clinicians, scholars and future healthcare leaders. We are committed to cultivating an ethical and compassionate approach to patient care grounded in the art and science of medicine, cultural humility, inclusiveness, and respect.
Accreditation
The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation-Continued status to the Weill Cornell Medicine Master of Science in Health Sciences for Physician Assistants Program sponsored by Weill Cornell Medical College. Accreditation-Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards.
Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2033. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed here.
My experience at the Weill Cornell PA Program was incredible. Beginning PA school just weeks before the start of the global pandemic was certainly challenging, but the faculty went above and beyond to ensure we felt supported and had the resources needed to adapt to a new learning environment.
The clinical rotations were exceptional. Having 15 rotations, including 5 elective rotations, was a major reason I chose the Weill Cornell PA Program, and it truly paid off. Not only did I gain invaluable clinical experience, but I also built meaningful professional connections that ultimately led to my first job after graduation.
As an alumna, I have remained involved with the program and enjoy continuing to support both the program and the students who come after me.
