UB PA Institute Love Stories 💜
They came to UB to pursue their dreams in medicine — but found something even more special along the way. Here are just a few love stories that started in the PA Institute!
Natasha & Raymond (Class of 2019)
“Raymond Kreiger and I (Natasha Amaro) met at UB PAI in 2017. We were both in the 2019 graduating PA class. We immediately gravitated towards each other as we navigated our way through graduate school. Whether we depended on each other as a study partner, lunch date, or comedic relief from our student lives, we were always there for each other. It was such a special experience going through the PA program with my best friend and partner. I got so much comfort in having someone so close to me understand exactly the goals I was working towards.
After graduating PA school, we moved into our first NYC apartment together and started our PA careers. During our first year of work, the world was hit with the COVID pandemic, and all PAs were called into action. During these trying times, we were able to build on our strong foundation as practitioners and partners. Ray also made my childhood dreams come true by adding our fun and loving French bulldog, Stella, to our family.”
“In 2021, we got engaged in Central Park. Two years later, in August of 2023, we got married in New Jersey alongside our closest friends and family — including some of our good friends from PA school. Looking back on our journey, we are so grateful for our time at Bridgeport; not only for it marking the start of our professional careers in medicine but also for bringing each other the love of our lives. To emphasize a popular proverb, ‘Always keep an open mind and a compassionate heart’ because you never know what you may be blessed to have come your way.”
Jamie & Shannon
“Jamie and I met on the first day of PA school in between classes. Having a cohort of just 40 people, we got to know each other quickly and were dating by the fall semester. After graduating, we moved to Oregon together to start our careers — Jamie in pain management and Shannon in colorectal surgery. We were engaged in June 2022 and got married June 2024. We had many of our friends from PA school attend our wedding! We are so grateful for UBPAI for bringing us together and for all of the lifelong friends we made during our time there.”
Alexa & John
“I liked Alexa from day one when I stole her name badge to flirt with her at a friend’s welcome party. We bonded over studying, volunteering, and playing intramural soccer together and eventually became a couple after the first two semesters. She really helped me through school to become the best PA I could be while also having a tremendous amount of fun together. We returned to where it all started and got engaged at Seaside Park this past July.”
“John and I instantly clicked as friends early on in grad school. Throughout the first year, we became very close, started dating in the fall of didactic year, and were pretty much inseparable after that. He was always my biggest supporter, and it made conquering the challenge of PA school that much easier. Bridgeport and the UBPAI will always have a special place in our hearts, and to make it even sweeter, John proposed on the beach at Seaside Park.”
Love is in the air at UB PAI! Who knew a stethoscope and textbooks could lead to happily ever after?
Whether you’re pursuing a career in medicine, lifelong friendships, or maybe even your own love story, University of Bridgeport’s PA Institute is where it all begins. Join a supportive, hands-on learning environment that prepares you for success.
Apply today and see where UB PAI can take you!
Grace Kuraska is a marketing content writer at University of Bridgeport where she combines her passion for creativity and storytelling to craft engaging content that resonates with readers. She graduated from University of Connecticut, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in English with a minor in Sociology. Grace brings years of experience in writing, editing, and proofreading to craft compelling narratives that connect with audiences and inspire action.