Tufts PA Alum Spotlight: How Jessica Lebowitz Returned to Teach the Next Generation

May 26, 2026

How community, mentorship, and purpose shape physician assistant education at Tufts.

Lebowitz leads a demo during a clinical class

What does it mean to come full circle in medical education? For Jessica Lebowitz, PA18, it meant returning to Tufts University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program as a faculty member. As both a Tufts PA alum and educator, Lebowitz offers a unique perspective on what makes the program distinctive, how student experiences shape teaching philosophy, and what future physician assistants need to thrive in clinical practice.

What brought you back to Tufts to teach, and what courses are you currently teaching?

“Tufts has always been a welcoming environment, from when I was a student to when I returned as adjunct faculty to teach labs and other workshops. This was a huge factor in my decision to transition into education and to return to Tufts specifically.

Currently, I teach the Primary Care Medicine I and Diagnostic Imaging courses. I guest lecture in the emergency medicine course, teach physical diagnosis and procedures labs, and serve as an instructor for the Capstone course for clinical-year students.”

How did your experience as a Tufts PA student shape the way you approach teaching and mentoring today?

“The Tufts PA program is an accelerated program, and packing a large amount of medical education into 27 months can be a challenge. I remember very clearly what it felt like to take nine courses at once over three consecutive semesters while still trying to maintain balance between studying and life outside of classes or clinical rotations.

Having gone through that experience myself helps me connect more effectively with students today, understanding how they’re feeling and what they’re working toward.”

What stands out most about the Tufts PA learning environment?

“The Tufts PA learning environment has always been very student-centered. I’ve seen this evolve over the years, with clear improvements in coursework, assessments, clinical rotations, student advising, and many other aspects of the program.

Carefully considering student feedback and developing the curriculum with intention and process has been highly beneficial to the overall program.”

What qualities do you hope to instill in future physician assistants?

“I hope to instill the following qualities in future PAs as they prepare for clinical practice: strong communication with healthcare team members, responsibility to patients, accountability, dedication, and aspirations across various fields of medicine.”

What advice would you give prospective PA students, and what makes the Tufts PA community special?

“My advice would be to learn as much as you can about the profession before applying. I recommend seeking out experiences that allow you to work alongside PAs to truly understand the role and how we collaborate within the healthcare team.

It’s also important to remember your purpose and the ‘why’ behind your passion for medicine. The Tufts PA community is supportive and collaborative, and since the nature of the PA profession is teamwork, that mindset is strongly encouraged throughout the educational experience.”

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