From Patient to PA

Samantha Bozzella, a student in the College of Saint Elizabeth’s M.S. in Physician Assistant (PA) program, was practically raised on a basketball court. Her father, Tony Bozzella, is the head coach for Seton Hall University’s women’s basketball team.

“There are so many pictures of me in a diaper on a basketball court,” recalls Samantha. “I was around sports all my life and I always wanted to be just like my dad’s players.”

While her father’s profession may have sparked her interest in athletics, Samantha’s talent and enthusiasm for the sport is what stoked the flames. As soon as she was old enough, Samantha began playing basketball herself. She spent countless hours practicing her craft and by the time she entered college Samantha achieved her childhood dream: she became one of her father’s players.

“Everyone thinks that there are a lot of expectations when you’re the coach’s daughter,” says Samantha. “But I absolutely loved it. I got to be with my best friend every single day.”

Samantha spent two years on SHU’s women’s team, reaching the NCAA tournament twice, before an injury permanently sidelined her in her sophomore year. However, her injury simply solidified Samantha’s desire to go into sports medicine to help other athletes struggling with injury. This led her to enroll in the College’s PA program.

“I love the PA profession because of its lateral mobility. For now, I want to go into sports medicine but I can always go into pediatrics, work in a hospital or do in-patient,” explains Samantha. “There are so many different specialties I can go into and if I want to change at any point in my career I don’t have to go through any other schooling.”

Samantha chose to earn her degree at Saint E’s because of the College’s supportive atmosphere.

“When I came for my interview the faculty made it feel like a big family. They made it clear that they were here for us and that’s what really drew me to this program.”