The Campbell University College of Pharmacy & Health Sciences will welcome Erin Kunz, MHS, PA-C, senior physician assistant in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Duke University Medical Center, as the featured White Coat Address speaker during the Physician Assistant Long White Coat Ceremony on July 17.
The annual ceremony marks a significant milestone for students in the Physician Assistant Program as they receive their long white coats before beginning their professional career. The event symbolizes the transition from student to clinician and reinforces the profession’s commitment to compassion, service and excellence.
Her connection to Campbell’s Physician Assistant Program spans more than a decade. Since the program’s inaugural class in 2011, Kunz has served as a guest lecturer, sharing her knowledge with students on topics including oncology and behavioral medicine while emphasizing the importance of compassionate, authentic patient care.
Kunz brings nearly 20 years of experience caring for patients with complex cancers and has dedicated her career to advancing both patient care and physician assistant education. She specializes in the multidisciplinary care of patients throughout their surgical and oncology journey, drawing on extensive experience in inpatient and outpatient hematology, oncology and perioperative medicine.
A graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and applied physiology, Kunz went on to earn her Master of Health Sciences in Physician Assistant Studies from Duke University.
Beyond her clinical practice, Kunz is recognized as a passionate educator and mentor. She trains residents, fellows and medical students while serving as a clinical preceptor for the Duke University Physician Assistant Program in surgery and surgical oncology. She is also a frequent presenter at national conferences, including the American Academy of Physician Associates, where she shares her expertise in thoracic oncology and surgical care.
Outside of medicine, Kunz enjoys exploring nature with her husband and two children, volunteering as a swim meet official and spending time reading.
“Erin has been a valued member of our Campbell PA family since the very beginning of our program, and we are honored to welcome her back to deliver this year’s White Coat Address,” said Dr. Laura Gerstner, chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Practice. “Her clinical expertise, dedication to mentoring future physician assistants and commitment to compassionate, patient-centered care make her an outstanding role model for our students. We look forward to celebrating the Class of 2026 as they reach this important milestone and begin the next chapter of their professional journey.”
The Campbell University Physician Assistant Program has prepared highly skilled physician assistants since welcoming its inaugural class in 2011. The Long White Coat Ceremony reflects the program’s commitment to preparing compassionate, practice-ready healthcare professionals who are equipped to serve patients and communities with excellence.