Gillian Castro Cuninghan

Motivated PA student with hands-on experience in oncology, surgery, and acute care, known for combining clinical precision with compassionate patient care. Skilled in assessments, procedural support, and teamwork, dedicated to improving outcomes and guiding patients through complex medical journeys.

Internal Medicine - A+ Urgent Care, Clifton NJ | January - February 2025

• Provided comprehensive care for adult and geriatric patients, including preventive, acute, and chronic conditions, by performing detailed histories, focused and comprehensive physical exams, developing differential diagnoses, and formulating evidence-based management plans.
• Performed common clinical procedures including throat cultures (20), PPD testing (1), suturing (1), intramuscular injections (10), venipunctures (5), and EKGs (6), while documenting encounters accurately and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams.

Behavioral Health - Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, Paramus NJ | February - March 2025

• Conducted comprehensive behavioral and mental health evaluations for patients, including obtaining detailed histories, performing focused mental status exams, and utilizing standardized assessment tools such as PHQ-9 and CAGE to identify depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders; developed differential diagnoses and evidence-based management plans including pharmacologic, therapeutic, and referral interventions.
• Provided patient-centered counseling and education, collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, documented encounters accurately in the electronic medical record, and addressed acute, chronic, and rehabilitative aspects of behavioral health conditions while maintaining professionalism, ethical conduct, and sensitivity to diverse patient populations.

Pediatrics - Lakeview Pediatrics, Clifton NJ | March - April 2025

• Provided comprehensive outpatient care for infants, children, and adolescents, including well-child exams, acute visits, and chronic disease management; obtained detailed histories, performed focused and comprehensive physical exams, developed differential diagnoses, and created evidence-based management plans with appropriate referrals and follow-up.
• Performed common outpatient pediatric procedures including throat cultures (15), nasal viral cultures (2), PPD testing (12), intramuscular and subcutaneous injections, venipunctures (8), urine dipsticks, and nebulizer treatments, while educating patients and families and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to ensure safe, patient-centered care.

Family Medicine - VitaMed, Jersey City NJ | May - June 2025

• Provided comprehensive outpatient care for patients across the lifespan, including infants, children, adolescents, adults, and elderly patients, managing preventive, acute, emergent, and chronic medical and surgical conditions. Obtained detailed histories, performed focused and comprehensive physical exams, developed differential diagnoses, and formulated evidence-based management plans with appropriate follow-up and referrals.
• Performed common outpatient family medicine procedures including EKGs (14), throat culture (1), intramuscular injections (2), PPD testing (3), fingersticks glucose (2), venipunctures (18), wound dressing change (1), arthrocentesis of major joint with effusion (1), while providing patient-centered education and counseling and collaborating with interdisciplinary healthcare teams.

Emergency Medicine - Staten Island Hospital, Staten Island NY | June - July 2025

• Conducted patient histories, physicals, and documentation for acute cases and collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to prioritize care and support rapid interventions in a high-acuity ED setting.
• Performed common emergency medicine procedures including: Rectal exam (1), EKG (2), Suture placement (3), OG tube insertion (1), fingersticks glucose (6), IV insertion (3), throat culture (1), PPD (1), Splinting (1), Incision & Drainage (2), Wound culture (2), Urine dipstick (1), Blood cultures (3), Stapling (1), ABG/Venous blood gas (1).

Bone Marrow Transplant/CAR-T Cell Therapy (Elective) - Memorial Sloan Kettering, NY | July - August 2025

• Gained hands-on exposure to hematologic malignancy management, including patient evaluation, supportive care, and monitoring in bone marrow transplant recipients, with emphasis on complex immunosuppression and post-transplant complications.
• Observed and participated in CAR T-cell therapy administration and monitoring, including pre-infusion workup, recognition of cytokine release syndrome, and coordination of multidisciplinary oncology care, deepening understanding of cutting-edge cellular therapies.

General Surgery - Metropolitan Hospital, New York NY | September - October 2025

• Actively assisted in the operating room (33) and performed surgical scrubbing (33), contributing to pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative care while applying advanced clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills for complex surgical patients.
• Performed common surgical procedures including nasogastric tube placement (2), suturing (4), dressing changes (3), and Foley catheter insertion (2), demonstrating technical skill, sterile technique, and competency in pre- and post-operative patient management.

Obstetrics/Gynecology - Women & Children Primary Care of Passaic, Passaic NJ | October - November 2025

• Provided comprehensive prenatal and gynecologic patient care, including history taking, physical and breast exams, and diagnostic evaluation, while assisting in the operating room (25), performing surgical scrubbing (25), and participating in 2 uncomplicated newborn deliveries, demonstrating clinical reasoning, patient management, and perioperative skills.
• Performed common women's health procedures including pelvic exams (10), breast exams (10), Pap smears (6), IM injections (10), and incision & drainage (1), highlighting technical competency, sterile technique, and proficiency in preventive and surgical interventions.

Neurosurgery - Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn NY | November - December 2025

• Assisted in neurosurgical procedures in the operating room (2) and performed surgical scrubbing (2), applying clinical reasoning and perioperative skills to support complex patient care.
• Performed procedural skills including staple placement (1) and male urinary catheterization (1), demonstrating technical competency and adherence to sterile technique in both surgical and clinical settings.

Heme/Onc Advanced Clinical Training Track - Mount Sinai Hospital, Manhattan NY | January - April 2026

• Completed a 4-month Advanced Clinical Training Track in Hematology/Oncology and gained hands-on experience across oncology specialties (hematology, breast surgery, thoracic oncology), performing patient histories, physicals, breast exams, and assisting with procedures, while supporting patient education and care coordination.
• Assisted in procedures (bone marrow biopsies), chemotherapy administration, and supportive care, while applying evidence-based treatment plans, contributing to multidisciplinary care, and demonstrating a strong commitment to pursuing a career in oncology.

• New York & New Jersey Physician Assistant Licensure — Anticipated June 2026
• AHA Certifications: BLS, ACLS, PALS — Valid through November 2026
• Mandated Prescriber Training — Completed
• MAT Waiver Training — Completed
• Infection Control Certification — Completed

• Member of Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology
• AAPA, 2024