Class of 2020

Michael Mayo

Hometown: Chaplin, CT
Undergraduate Institution:  Springfield College
Degrees:  Springfield College – Bachelor of Science in Sports Biology with a Psychology minor
University of Saint Joseph - Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS)
Hobbies/Interest: Rugby, kayaking, traveling throughout New England, and motorcycle rides
Past life:  I have worked for the last 9 years as a Paramedic throughout Connecticut, settling in the Connecticut Valley area for the last 5. I was worked as a Paramedic program instructor in various institutions concentrating in cardiology and pharmacology.
Academic Interest:  Cardiology, critical care medicine, pre-hospital medicine, and radiology.
Favorite activities in New Haven:  Exploring all the delicious places to eat and the architecture of Yale.
Why Yale’s Emergency Medicine Program:  Yale has an outstanding reputation throughout the medical community, specifically in Emergency Medicine, and I knew the residency would make me a stronger clinician while allowing me to be part of a world-class interdisciplinary medical team. Additionally, the opportunity to work in the simulation lab, the procedures rotation, and ultrasound training will challenge me as a provider and strengthen my medical knowledge.
Random factoid:  My favorite vacation spot in New England is Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard MA.

Jason Nies

Hometown: Spearfish, SD
Undergraduate Institution: Black Hills State University
Degrees:  Touro University California, MSPAS
Touro University California, MPH
Black Hills State University, M.S. in Integrative Genomics
Black Hills State University, B.S. in Cellular Biology and Political Science
Hobbies/Interest: I generally like to get myself involved in as many things as possible and find that one of the most satisfying parts of life is learning and experiencing new things. My main hobbies include outdoors activities, live music, pets, cooking.
Past life:  Prior to PA school I was on the faculty at Black Hills State University in western South Dakota where I instructed courses in health sciences and also volunteered as an EMT for the local ambulance service. Prior to that I was a lab rat working on the project that focused on development of new drug options for treatment-resistant malaria.
Academic Interest: Rural and wilderness medicine, intensive care, public health as it applies to emergency medicine including topics like opioid addiction management, vaccine administration, lack of primary care access, mental health access disparities. 
Favorite activities in New Haven: I can’t wait to ride my first Amtrak, explore Long Island Sound and try out all the incredible food options that the area has to offer.
Why Yale’s Emergency Medicine Program:  The renowned and rigorous academic atmosphere of Yale will provide me with unparalleled learning opportunities, allowing me to expand both my procedural and diagnostic skillset and enable me to become a more confident and competent provider to the community that I serve. Yale’s EM PA residency offers a solid set of rotations, seamlessly integrates its program with the MD EM residents and supports its PA residents with a fantastic set of knowledgeable and experienced clinicians and teachers. Beyond the incredible institutional support, education and procedural training what really attracted me to Yale was the EM PA residency faculty.
Random factoid:  I spent a summer catching, housing and milking the venom from rattlesnakes for a college research project.