UDPA 2020 Love Stories

In 2017, over 600 people applied to the University of Dubuque Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies Program. Of those, 83 were interviewed, 26 were accepted, six found their forever partner, and three UD Love Stories began.

As Molly Delzer (MSPAS'20), Kelly Frommelt (MSPAS'20), Beth Honeyman (MSPAS'20), Frank Nguyen (MSPAS'20), Jacob Norton (MSPAS'20), and Mitchell Winter (MSPAS'20) prepared to begin their journey at the University of Dubuque, they knew that the next 27 months were going to be filled with a heavy course load, endless studying, and hours of clinicals - but what they didn't expect was to find their best friends and the love of their life.

UDPA 2020 Love Stories Timeline

2018
July - UDPA 2020 Welcome Week and Orientation

2019
June - Several UDPAs rented a house together, which became the gathering spot
July - Beth and Mitch began dating
August - Molly and Frank began dating
September - Kelly and Jake began dating
December - UDPA 2020 White Coat Ceremony

2020
January - Clinical rotations began
March - COVID-19 hit and UDPAs were pulled from normal clinical rotations
June - Clinical rotations restarted and UDPAs adjusted to the "new normal"
December - UDPA 2020 Commencement Ceremony, featuring their bitmojis walking across a virtual stage

2021
January - Began figuring out life as a new PA in the midst of a pandemic
September 4 - Kelly and Jake got engaged
September 7 - Beth and Mitch got engaged

2022
May 18 - Molly and Frank got engaged
August 13 - Kelly and Jake celebrated their wedding day

2023
May 13 - Beth and Mitch celebrated their wedding day
August 12 - Molly and Frank celebrated their wedding day

2024
February 14 - We share the UD Love Stories of the UDPA Class of 2020

Mitchell and Beth (Honeyman) Winter

Mitchell Winter (MSPAS'20) and Beth Honeyman (MSPAS'20) don't remember the details of the first time they met during PA Welcome Week festivities. However, they do recall getting to know each other at the home of a few other PA students. It was their first week of school, and Kelly Frommelt (MSPAS'20) and Molly Delzer (MSPAS'20) were hosting a class social at their home on Bennett Street. As luck would have it, Mitch and Beth were part of the same small study group. Considering they spent a lot of time studying, they also spent a lot of time together. Mitch and Beth started dating 11 and a half months after they first met.

"I think we both felt pretty confident in the relationship when we realized we could spend close to every second together, even in such a high stress environment, and never get sick of each other," Beth said.

When not studying, Mitch and Beth enjoyed golfing, skiing, frisbee golfing, and binge-watching some of their favorite tv shows. Clinical rotations began and took Beth to St. Paul, Minnesota and Mitch to Baldwin, Wisconsin. In March 2020 the couple found themselves back together in Dubuque as the pandemic hit and they transitioned to virtual learning and worked on their capstone projects. When they needed a break, the couple would enjoy the outdoors. Mitch even tried to teach Beth how to fish, although she never caught anything herself, Mitch was very supportive and would get a fish on the line then let Beth reel it in.

Together they celebrated a virtual graduation ceremony. Although they could not be with their entire class, they were thankful to celebrate the milestone with each other and their UDPA friends. Following graduation, the pair stayed in Dubuque until moving to Lancaster, Wisconsin in December 2021. During this time, Beth worked for High Point Family Medicine in Lancaster. Mitch worked for Vernon Memorial Healthcare in Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin. They purchased their first home in 2022 in Viroqua, Wisconsin, and Beth began working for Vernon Memorial Healthcare at the La Farge, Wisconsin, clinic in January 2023. Since then, the couple have enjoyed being homeowners and the many adventures that come with making a house a home.

It was September 2021 when Mitch and Beth, along with her parents, traveled to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. Mitch knew that the Grand Tetons was Beth's favorite place on earth as she had been going there since she was a kid. Although Beth suspected an engagement might happen during the trip, Mitch showed no clues. However, he was simply waiting for the right moment to propose. Due to the wildfires, it was hard to see the mountains and the air was thick with smoke. In their adventures, the couple found a beautiful bay where they watched the sun set and the mountains were outlined perfectly. Mitch knew this was the place he would ask Beth to marry him.

"I didn't have the ring on me because the smoke was so bad we couldn't see the Grand Tetons most of the time," Mitch said. "But once we found the bay, I knew I had to come up with a reason to go back to that spot. The next morning, I told Beth we should go back to the area and get some photos. She did not suspect a thing, so when I said let's get a photo together, she turned around and I was on one knee."

The couple married 18 months later on May 13, 2023, at Oak Hill Farm in Apple River, Illinois. The day began by getting ready in historic Galena before transitioning to Oak Hill for the ceremony and reception. They had several UDPA classmates in the wedding including Elizabeth Edwards (MSPAS'20), Molly (Delzer) Nguyen (MSPAS'20), Kelly (Frommelt) Norton (MSPAS'20), Connor Golden (C'17, MSPAS'20), and Frank Nguyen (MSPAS'20). They also had close to half of their cohort class in attendance.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where they enjoyed relaxing on the beach. In their free time, they love to travel as much as they can and enjoy outdoor activities such as biking, paddle boarding, and downhill skiing. They have also recently gotten into photography, particularly wildlife and landscape photography. Mitch and Beth continue to serve as PAs in rural family medicine through Vernon Memorial Healthcare.

Frank Nguyen and Molly Delzer

Frank Nguyen (MSPAS'20) and Molly Delzer (MSPAS'20) met a few days before PA school began when a group of students gathered at the Dubuque County Fair. They had fun listening to music and trying to win prizes at the carnival games. In July 2019, six PA students decided to rent a house, with two of them being Frank and Molly. As a friend became a best friend, it was not long before the pair started dating.

As they were still in school, their main priority was studying. However, Frank and Molly still made time for each other, enjoying study dates at local coffee shops or on campus. They, along with other PA students, became friends with the maintenance and security crew during their multiple late-night study sessions. When they were not focusing on class, the couple was exploring everything Dubuque has to offer including the Historic Millwork District, Horseshoe Bluff, and Sundown Mountain Resort.

As they transitioned into the clinical phase of PA school at various locations throughout the tri-states, the couple adapted to only seeing each other once a month. COVID-19, however, brought them back together in Dubuque as they navigated learning virtually and helping in clinics whenever they could.

"Our relationship became all the closer as we shared our best successes in clinic and the humbling lessons we were taught learning medicine in the midst of a world-wide crisis," Molly said.

Months later, the pair graduated. Although the end was bittersweet, leaving behind the campus that brought them lifelong friendships and each other, they were excited to begin their careers as PAs. The post-pandemic job market was challenging, so they applied across the country in hopes of landing a job where they could both launch their careers. Frank and Molly accepted positions in Southern California at TotalCare Walk-In Clinic. They thrived as new PAs, which they attributed to how well they were trained at UDPA. Within two years of employment, they were able to serve thousands of patients and Frank was recognized as most valuable provider in 2022. Outside of work, they enjoyed hiking at national parks, snorkeling in the Pacific Ocean, skiing down real mountains, and expanding their palettes.

In May 2022, Frank proposed to Molly in a gazebo off the shores of Laguna Beach, California. This location holds a special place in their hearts, as it was the place where they watched one of their first beach sunsets.

"I made plans for Molly and her sister to go whale watching and out to dinner. But little did Molly know that I would be waiting for her, with our dog, Tioga, as they headed toward their dinner reservation. My goal was to get Molly's attention by having Tioga stand by the gazebo that I had decorated to set the scene for the proposal. Of course, she's a good dog mom and noticed Tioga right away," Frank said.

After 15 months of wedding planning, Frank and Molly were married on August 12, 2023 - the same date as their dating anniversary. The day before, they had a small traditional Vietnamese ceremony to honor Frank's dad, whom he had lost to cancer while growing up. Their larger ceremony was held at Salt Drift Pointe on the San Diego Bay. Their bridal party included UDPA friends, Mitchell Winter (MSPAS'20), Lindsey Griswold (MSPAS'20), Beth (Honeyman) Winter (MSPAS'20), and Camila Salvador (MSPAS'20). Levi Hongsermeier (MSPAS'20) was their officiant. The celebration included many SoCal vibes, which was enjoyed with family and many of their UDPA cohort friends.

The newlyweds honeymooned in Riviera Maya, Mexico. Frank and Molly continue to travel and explore California with their dogs, Tioga and Reno. Together they have visited many of the southern California beaches and make a habit out of watching sunsets. In addition, the pair began renovating a camper van for them to take on even more adventures. Currently, Frank and Molly reside in Anaheim, California, and are practicing medicine in their respective clinics. Frank is working in an urgent care clinic at a community health center providing care to patients that may not have the best access to care. He enjoys his work in closing the healthcare gap. Molly is enjoying her career in a women's health clinic providing primary care and women's health services. She loves being an advocate for women's health and is so happy to be fulfilling her goals as a provider.

Jacob and Kelly (Frommelt) Norton

Jacob Norton (MSPAS'20) and Kelly Frommelt (MSPAS'20) met during PA Welcome Week. They specifically remember a meet and greet event held at Backpocket Dubuque. Their relationship started as a true friendship among classmates, but, over time, they began spending more time with one another outside of classes. Their feelings began to grow when they realized how much they meant to each other, and Jake and Kelly began dating. The couple spent countless hours together studying, in deep conversation, and going on adventures. They bonded over shared interests like music, outdoor activities, travel, and fitness.

Jake remembers the first time he told Kelly that he loved her.

"There was a cover band at the Smokestack called Taking Back Emo that played a lot of 90s music," Jake said. "So, we dressed up like we were in middle school again and celebrated New Year's Eve. Right at midnight, I gave her a kiss and told her I loved her. I think she was a bit surprised, but we had both been feeling that way, so I figured go big or go home!"

The couple began clinical rotations in separate cities, Kelly in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Jake in Chicago, Illinois. The world threw an interesting twist into their relationship when COVID-19 hit as they were on a clinical rotation together in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Being pulled from clinicals, they returned to Dubuque and spent every day together adjusting to the new normal. While it was an adjustment, they came out stronger and more in love than before. After going back to traditional clinical rotations, new challenges presented themselves as they began a long-distance relationship and were not able to see each other for months at a time. Still, their love continued to grow. At the end of 2020, they were finally able to celebrate the holidays and graduation together.

The pair began their next adventure in St. Cloud, Minnesota, in February 2021. Both Jake and Kelly signed on at CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital. Kelly began working on the general/trauma surgery team, while Jake worked on the vascular surgery team. When not working, they enjoyed hiking, concerts, sporting events, exploring the Boundary Waters, and taking trips to the North Shore of Lake Superior.

Jake planned to propose to Kelly while on a trip to North Carolina in September 2021. He coordinated with one of Kelly's best friends to meet them and surprise Kelly as well as to help capture the special moment on camera.

"I knew something was going to happen when I saw my friend, because this was a trip for his birthday weekend," Kelly said. "Plus, Jake was insistent that we go to a particular waterfall right away, which was very unlike him because I am the planner, he is not. So, we went on this short hike to Crabtree Falls. Once we arrived at the base of the falls, Jake started fumbling with this pack. I looked away for a moment and he went down on one knee, and he asked me to spend the rest of my days with him. Thankfully he did not drop the ring in the water!"

Eleven months later, the couple celebrated their wedding, filled with love and dancing. The ceremony was held at Kelly's parents church, John the Baptist Church in Savage, Minnesota, with the reception following at Olympic Hills Golf Club in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Since the beginning of their relationship, Jake and Kelly connected over music and dancing, so that played a major part in their wedding day. They were surrounded by their family and friends, including several UDPA friends. Standing by their side were fellow UDPA graduates Emma Arsic (MSPAS'20), Alexa DeSilva (MSPAS'19), Camila Salvador (MSPAS'20), and Beth (Honeyman) Winter (MSPAS'20).

The newlyweds honeymooned in Thailand, cherishing their time together as they adventured and explored. Since their honeymoon, they have continued to travel, visiting 18 states in the US and traveling internationally to Scotland and Ireland. Currently, Kelly and Jake reside in St. Cloud with their two fur-babies, Zeus and Ares. However, the couple will soon be relocating to Colorado as Kelly returns to active duty for the US Army. Kelly will be provider for an armored infantry battalion at Fort Carson, providing primary care for soldiers. Now licensed in Colorado, Jake hopes to find a position in the surgical field, hopefully in vascular surgery or ortho trauma surgery.

UDPA Forever

That is the story of our UDPA 2020 Love Stories. To date, these three couples are the only UDPA students who have met their significant other through the UDPA program. All three couples remain incredibly close, often going on trips together, whether it be celebrating weddings of other UDPA classmates or planning other adventures. In January 2024 several UDPAs gathered in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and they are looking forward to celebrating their five-year reunion in 2025.

When asked what UDPA means to each couple they all shared similar responses - that UDPA is where the rest of their lives began:

Beth and Mitch: "UDPA will always be the place where we formed friendships, and a marriage, that will last a lifetime while allowing us to pursue the profession we love!"

Molly and Frank: "UDPA is the center of our livelihood - where our dreams of becoming PAs became a reality and where we had the opportunity to learn from incredible clinicians, whom prepared us to be successful in our careers. UDPA brought us together with lifelong friends and colleagues, and, most importantly, UDPA brought us together. We will forever cherish the memories of our early relationship along the Mississippi River and we look forward to returning to reminisce on our beginnings."

Kelly and Jake: "UDPA will always be the place where we started our careers, made life-long friends, and found the love of our life."

UDPA Class of 2020
White Coat Ceremony, December 2019