Meet Lance McGhee ’16G’16, a PA in orthopaedics at Kernodle Clinic who has returned to Elon as a preceptor and instructor for future physician assistants.
First, let me introduce myself. My name is Lance McGhee, and I am a proud graduate of the Elon PA Program Class of 2016. I grew up in Durham, North Carolina, and attended North Carolina State University, where I majored in Human Biology.
I discovered the physician assistant profession later in my college years, but I was immediately drawn to it. Many of my early interactions with PAs came through the care my grandmother received, and I was inspired by the compassion, expertise, and quality of care they provided.
Those experiences, combined with my lifelong love of sports, ultimately led me to a career in orthopaedics. Since graduating from Elon in 2016, I have practiced at Kernodle Clinic Orthopaedics, where I enjoy helping patients return to the activities they love, whether through surgical intervention or conservative treatment options.
After graduation, I earned my Certificate of Added Qualifications (CAQ) in Orthopaedics in 2021. In 2023, I was commissioned into the U.S. Navy Reserve, which has provided incredible opportunities to practice medicine beyond my primary specialty.
While my background in orthopaedics has proven valuable in my military career, serving in the Navy has also allowed me to broaden my clinical experience and perspective.
One of the most rewarding aspects of my career has been teaching. I enjoy mentoring both PA students and the enlisted sailors and officers I work with in the Navy.
I regularly precept Elon PA students during their surgical rotations, as well as those who choose an elective rotation in Orthopaedic Surgery. I also return to campus to teach during the didactic phase of the program, contributing to musculoskeletal medicine instruction and hands -on skills training, including suturing, splinting, and procedures commonly performed in emergency and field settings.
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my wife, Michelle, who is also a graduate of the Elon PA Program Class of 2016. We share our home with three Australian Shepherds, two of whom are double merles with vision or hearing impairments. When I’m not out exploring the neighborhood with our dogs, you can often find me on the golf course doing my best not to embarrass myself or traveling with my wife.
I am incredibly grateful for everything Elon has given me, and it is a privilege to return and help educate the next generation of PAs. Watching the program grow and evolve over the past decade has been remarkable. As a practicing clinician in the local community, I see firsthand the positive impact Elon PA graduates make every day, and I am proud to play a small role in preparing future graduates for that same success.