SU Student Honored as VAPA Student of the Year
Award reflects strength of both Gretchen Olazabal Shimabukuro ’26 and Shenandoah’s physician assistant studies program
Gretchen Olazabal Shimabukuro ’26, a Shenandoah University physician assistant studies student, is the 2026 Virginia Academy of Physician Assistants’ PA Student of the Year.
According to VAPA, this award, presented at the VAPA Conference in July, recognizes “a PA student in good standing at an accredited PA program who demonstrates exceptional leadership, academic or clinical achievement, and a commitment to serving patients and the community.”
“Gretchen’s selection is a tremendous honor and reflects her dedication to the PA profession and the values of our program,” said Physician Assistant Studies Program Director and Professor Erika Francis DMS, PA-C, DFAAPA.
Olazabal Shimabukuro said the award, which she received at the VAPA annual conference, was a complete surprise. “Receiving this award was incredibly humbling and rewarding. It was a meaningful moment to have my efforts recognized by my preceptors and program, and it reminded me of how much I’ve grown throughout my time at Shenandoah’s PA program,” she said.
This award means a great deal to me because it represents more than academic success. It reflects the dedication, resilience, teamwork, and compassion that are essential to becoming a physician assistant. It reinforces the values I hope to carry throughout my career and motivates me to continue striving to provide the best care possible for my future patients.”
Gretchen Olazabal Shimabukuro ’26 | Physician Assistant Studies
She said that Shenandoah’s program has prepared her well to enter her clinicals. “The rigorous curriculum, diverse clinical experiences, and supportive faculty challenged me to think critically, communicate effectively, and develop the clinical skills necessary to provide high-quality care.” The supportive environment is one of the program’s standout qualities, she added. “The faculty genuinely invest in each student’s success, serving as mentors who challenge and encourage us. My classmates have also been an incredible source of support throughout the didactic and clinical year. We are there for each other through successes and challenges, creating a culture of teamwork.”
