Faculty and Staff

The PA Program is housed in the College of Health Professions within the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. With a shared commitment to learning in the classroom, in the laboratory, and in the clinical setting, the faculty in the department provide a robust educational experience to their students. Dr. Breanne Blake DPAS MPAS PA-C is the Program Director for the PA program.

Located at 220 West Prairie Street Harrisville, PA 16038, the PA Program faculty and staff train and develop physician assistants with a passion for special populations.

For Questions on PA Program Admissions please email pa.program@sru.edu.

Brenda Rensel, Program Secretary
101 Harrisville Building
Phone: 724.738.2425
Fax:724.738.4669
Email: brenda.rensel@sru.edu

Lana Leali, Clinical Secretary
101 Harrisville Building
Phone: 724.738.2184
Fax: 724.738.4669
Email: lana.leali@sru.edu

Dr. Breanne Blake DPAS MPAS PA-C, Program Director

Dr. Breanne Blake DPAS MPAS PA-C
Program Director, Associate Professor
breanne.blake@sru.edu
724.738.4579

Dr. Blake is a graduate of Slippery Rock University with a B.S. in Exercise Science. Following her time at SRU, she worked as a rehab aide in cardiac rehab. She completed her Master's in Physician Assistant Studies at Chatham University. She holds board certification with the NCCPA. Breanne was an adjunct professor at Slippery Rock prior to starting full time. Breanne has practiced in Family Practice, Urgent Care and Psychiatry. She is a member of AAPA and PSPA. She attends the PSPA conference annually.

Dr. Megan M. Borger EdD MSPAS PA-C

Megan Borger EdD MSPAS PA-C
megan.borger@sru.edu
724.738.4620

Dr. Borger completed her Doctor of Education in Health Professions Education at A.T. Still University and her Master's of Science in Physician Assistant studies at Kings College. She also completed her undergraduate training at Kings College with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Studies. Dr. Borger has been with the program since November 2016. She became the program director in January 2020. Prior to becoming program director she held roles as the interim program director, clinical coordinator and clinical faculty. Prior to beginning at Slippery Rock University, she served as a preceptor for Physician Assistant and Nurse Practitioner students as well as provided many shadowing opportunities for future healthcare students. She has attended the PAEA Pando Workshop for Clinical Coordinators in 2017, PAEA Forum in 2018, 2020, and 2021, and ARC-PA Accreditation Conference in 2019.

Dr. Borger has practiced clinically in family medicine and emergency medicine. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants.

Dr. Natalie Brahm DPAS MSPA PA-C

Ms. Natalie Brahm MSPA PA-C
Assistant Professor
natalie.brahm@sru.edu
724.738.4579

Ms. Brahm attended Seton Hill University where she earned her Master of Science in Physician Assistant degree in 2012. Prior to completing her Physician Assistant Studies, she graduated Cum Laude from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science and Sports Studies. She is a board-certified Physician Assistant from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. She has been a preceptor for PA Students from Seton Hill University, Duquesne University, and Slippery Rock University. She has also been shadowed by numerous high school students and Pre-PA Students. She has taught Family Medicine Residents, Podiatry Residents, and Medical Students as well. She has practiced in General & Vascular Surgery and Urgent Care. She is currently practicing in General & Vascular Surgery. She is a member of the AAPA and PSPA.

Ms. Olivia Buterbaugh MPAS PA-C, Clinical Coordinator

Olivia Buterbaugh, MPAS PA-C
Assistant Professor, Clinical Coordinator
olivia.buterbaugh@sru.edu
724.738.4641

Ms. Buterbaugh completed her Physician Assistant training at Duquesne University, PA graduating with a Master's of Physician Assistant Studies in 2010. She also completed her undergraduate training at Duquesne University with a Bachelor's of Health Sciences in 2009. She served as a preceptor for Physician Assistant students as well as provided many shadowing opportunities for future healthcare students. She plans to attend the PAEA Workshop for Clinical Coordinators in October 2019. Upon graduation, she practiced clinically in Pediatrics as well as 1 year in a federally qualified health center. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants and Physician Assistant Education Association.

Dr. Heather Fritz DHSc MSBS PA-C

Heather Fritz, MSBS PA-C
Assistant Professor
heather.fritz@sru.edu
724.738.4672

Professor Fritz completed her Master of Physician Assistant and Biomedical Science training at Medical College of Ohio (University of Toledo) in 2003. She also holds a Bachelor of Health and Human Services from Bowling Green State University. She is currently enrolled at California University of Pennsylvania working on her doctorate degree in Health Science. Prior to being hired full-time in October 2017, she was an adjunct Professor for Slippery Rock's PA Program. Ms. Fritz has 12 years of clinical experience as a Physician Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery with Greater Pittsburgh Orthopedic Associates. She currently teaches Clinical History and Physical Diagnosis and Skills Lab. She also assists with the clinical year students. Her interests include simulation and research on student wellness. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants, and the Physician Assistant Education Association.

Ms. Audra Kessler MPAS PA-C

Audra Kessler, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor, Clinical
audra.kessler@sru.edu
724.738.4633

Ms. Kessler completed her Physician Assistant training at Duquesne University where she received a Masters of Physician Assistant Studies and a Bachelor of Health Science. After graduation, she practiced clinically in the field of nephrology for 8 years. During that time, she developed a Chronic Kidney Disease Education Program for her patients. She helped to develop a software program to help manage chronic kidney disease education. She also specialized in dialysis. She attends yearly conferences to continue her medical education. In the Physician Assistant Program, she teaches the Special Populations course to the didactic students and serves as principal clinical faculty to our second-year clinical students. She also serves as the Chair of the Admission Committee for the Physician Assistant Program. At the university level, she has served on the President’s Commission for Women for 3 years. She is involved with research within the university. Ms. Kessler is a member of AAPA (American Academy of Physician Assistants) and PAEA (Physician Assistant Education Association).

Ms. Barbara Ragnelli MSN NP-C

Ms. Barbara Ragnelli, MSN CRNP
Assistant Professor
barbara.ragnelli@sru.edu
724.738.4645

Ms. Ragnelli obtained her Masters of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner degree from La Roche College, Pittsburgh, PA in 1996. She has Certification through the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners since 1998. She has worked as a Family Nurse Practitioner since graduation at Lawrence County Family Medicine, New Castle, PA. She has experience in the office setting, as well as hospital, nursing home and hospice care. She also has experience in cardiac care as a nurse, prior to her CRNP. She has experience in management in both the hospital setting as well as in the medical office. She is a member of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, Pennsylvania Coalition of Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistant Education Association and American Academy of Physicians Assistants.

Ms. Heather Rapp MPAS PA-C, Special Populations Coordinator

Ms. Heather Rapp, MPAS PA-C
Assistant Professor, Special Populations Coordinator
heather.rapp@sru.edu
724.738.4660

Ms. Rapp completed her Physician Assistant training at Duquesne University, PA graduating with a Bachelor’s of Health Sciences in 2009 and a Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies in 2010. She has served a Preceptor to PA students as well as providing undergraduate shadow experiences. She was previously adjunct faculty with the Slippery Rock University Physician Assistant Program since 2017, providing grading and involvement with guest lectures. She continues to practice clinically in Neurosurgery with a concentration in Spine since 2010. She also participates in community events and inter-professional educational experiences related to her area of expertise. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.

Dr. John Reefer MD, Medical Director

John Reefer, MD
Medical Director
john.reefer@sru.edu

Dr. Reefer is a practicing internal medicine physician in Butler, PA. He serves as one of the co-medical directors for the SRU PA Program. Dr. Reefer graduated from Johns Hopkins University with a bachelor's degree in Natural Science. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh Medical School where he graduated as a Doctor of Medicine. He did his residency in internal medicine at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital. Dr. Reefer opened a private practice in Butler, PA where he practiced internal medicine for many years. He is currently practicing internal medicine at Butler Hospital. Dr. Reefer is the Chief Medical Officer and the Vice President of Professional Affairs at Butler Hospital.

Dr. Justin Siebert PhD

Justin Siebert, PhD, MS, Med.Ed,
Assistant Professor,
justin.siebert@sru.edu
724.738.4940

Dr. Siebert completed his undergraduate education at the State University of New York (SUNY) College at Oneonta, in Oneonta NY in the spring of 2004, he earned his B.S. in biology (Cum Laude) with a minor in chemistry. Dr. Seibert attended the SUNY Upstate Medical University, where he earned his Ph.D. in Cell Biology and Anatomy in the summer of 2010. His doctoral research focused of studying axonal regeneration and remyelination following spinal cord injury. Following the conclusion of my Ph.D., He spent a year as a post-doctoral fellow at Cornell University (Ithaca N.Y. campus) in the department of Biomedical Engineering. In the spring of 2015, he earned a Master of Science degree in Medical Education (M.S.Med.Ed) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM). His teaching experience includes undergraduate and graduate education. As a graduate assistant he taught medical neuroanatomy for three years. Dr. Seibert began as an Assistant Professor of Anatomy at LECOM in the summer of 2011 at the school's Seton Hill campus located in Greenburg, P.A. While at LECOM Seton Hill, he was course director for the medical histology and human anatomy courses, he facilitated numerous groups of problem based learning, participated as a facilitator in the human sexuality and medical ethics course, and became the director of examination management for the first year osteopathic medical class. While at LECOM he was also a member of the Student Promotion and Graduation committee; which dealt with student academic and disciplinary issues. He joined the faculty of Slippery Rock University in the fall of 2016 as an Assistant Professor and received an appointment in the PA program in fall 2017 teaching the cadaver labs and the Pathophysiology lecture course.

Dr. Elise A Somers DHSc MPAS PA-C

Elise A Somers, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor
elise.somers@sru.edu
724.738.2200

Ms. Somers graduated from Chatham University in 2010 with a Master's degree in Physician Assistant Studies. She also holds a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from Juniata College. She is Board Certified as a Physician Assistant by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Ms. Somers was an Adjunct Professor for Slipper Rock University's Physician Assistant program prior to starting her full-time position at Slippery Rock University. She plans to attend PAEA Pando Basic Faculty Skills Workshop for Physician Assistant Educators in 2018. Ms. Somers has 5 years of clinical experience as a Physician Assistant in Family Practice as well as 2 years in General and Vascular Surgery and 1 year in Urology. She is a member of the American Academy of Physician assistants (AAPA) and Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA).

Dr. Charles Spingola MD, Medical Director

Dr. Charles Spingola, MD
Medical Director
charles.spingola@sru.edu

Dr. Spingola is a practicing orthopedic surgeon in Butler, PA and has served as the co-medial director of the SRU PA Program since the preliminary planning stages of the program. Dr. Spingola graduated from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (currently re-named Rutgers Medical School). He is a Diplomat of the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. He has held multiple leader-ship positions in the Butler Health System, including the President of the Medical Staff and Chairman of Surgery and as a member of the Board of Directors. Throughout the course of his practice career he has instructed and mentored countless physician assistants.

Ms. Shelly Suski MPAS PA-C

Ms. Shelly Suski MPAS PA-C
Assistant Professor
shelly.suski@sru.edu
724-738-2625

Professor Suski started with the SRU PA program in the Fall of 2023.

PA Program Preceptors, Guest Instructors and Graders

The Physician Assistant Program is grateful to its many preceptors, guest lecturers, instructors and graders.

Physician Assistant Studies

Faculty and Staff

Physician Assistant Studies

Contact Information