Dan Horton, ARC-PA

When Dan Horton began Russell Sage College as a Biology major, he wanted a career that would help people and was leaning toward Physical Therapy. 

Then Biology Professor and Pre-Med advisor Mary Rea suggested he consider becoming a Physician Assistant. 

“That struck more of a cord with me,” he said. 

He called his professors in Sage’s pre-professional health science programs “no-nonsense teachers.”

“Their expectations were congruent with those of master’s-level teachers,” he said. 

The intensity of the material and projects in classes like Anatomy and Physiology, Cell and Molecular Biology and Immunology also helped prepare Dan for the rigor of a PA program. 

And, his professors and classes inspired his parallel interest in the education side of medicine.

He became a teaching assistant in the Biology department. 

“This role allowed me to help other students succeed in classes I had already achieved high grades in,” he said.

After earning a Master of Science degree from the Center for Physician Assistant Studies at Albany Medical College, Dan joined an Ear, Nose and Throat practice, where he treated patients for chronic and acute conditions.

“I performed endoscopic exams of nasal passages and sinuses as well as laryngoscopic exams to assess for problems such as cancer, reflux, vocal cord lesions and acute sinusitis.”

Now, Dan is pursuing teaching opportunities in the medical field. 

“I feel I can be of benefit to other people who wish to obtain an education and work toward a career in health care.”