April 22, 2009

Jennifer Fontaine

Jennifer Fontaine, a student in the physician assistant program in the School of Health Sciences, has been selected to make a poster presentation at the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) annual conference at the San Diego Conference Center in San Diego, Calif., May 23-28.

The poster presentation, "Pyoderma Gangrenosum as Primary Manifestation of Ulcerative Colitis," is a case study of an atypical presentation of a common gastrointestinal disease. Fontaine's presentation emphasizes the importance of becoming familiar with the various ways the disease may present itself. The Quinnipiac student was selected to present because she had seen various cases of gastrointestinal disease during her internal medicine rotation.

"I found this topic to be interesting and conference pertinent to the physician assistant profession," said Fontaine. "Attending this conference and presenting is a great opportunity for practicing physician assistants as well as physician assistant students."

The AAPA is a national organization for physician assistant professionals, which provides resources such as continuing medical education services, educational workshops, networking opportunities and employment resources. During the conference, Fontaine will attend meetings held by the AAPA's two governing bodies: the House of Delegates, the organization's policy-making body, and the Assembly of Representatives, which establishes Student Academy policy, elects and directs the activities of the Student Academy Board of Directors.

After graduation, Fontaine said she is interested in practicing general medicine. She plans to look for positions in internal medicine, general surgery and the medical intensive care unit.