Phoebe Kubo, MPAS, PA-C, is a physician associate/assistant (PA) who recently graduated from the Long Island University (LIU) PA Program in Brooklyn, New York. She currently practices in robotic liver transplantation, hepatobiliary, and pancreatic surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine.
Growing up in Belle Mead, New Jersey, Kubo cultivated early passions for science and advocacy, which laid the groundwork for her pursuit of academic excellence and positive social impact. Some of her academic achievements included placing first in a state-level chemistry competition and medaling in multiple Science Olympiad events. Alongside her scientific pursuits, Kubo’s interest in educational equity led her to join a summer program where she studied the various challenges facing urban, suburban, and rural school systems and discussed standardized testing concerns with congressional representatives. Beyond academics and advocacy, Kubo was also an accomplished musician. As a competitive pianist and violinist, she performed at several prestigious venues, including Carnegie Hall and the Kaufman Music Center, and toured Europe with her school orchestra. She also volunteered at a soup kitchen, played music for residents at a nearby nursing home, and performed at charity concerts.
In 2020, Kubo completed her undergraduate studies at University of California San Diego, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Human Biology and minor in Bioethics. During her undergraduate years, Kubo volunteered on several medical mission trips to Mexico with Healing Hearts Across Borders (HHAB) to provide medical care in resource-limited areas. Additionally, she served as vice president of Project Happiness, a student organization, where she helped organize direct service events for hospitalized children at Rady Children’s Hospital. Her dedication to community service was further evidenced by her work with various organizations, through which she cooked meals for families of patients undergoing long-term care, made holiday cards for elderly residents at a local nursing home, and distributed essentials to individuals experiencing homelessness. In addition to school and volunteering, Kubo interned as a research assistant at SBP Medical Discovery Institute, where she used Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism to study specific genes and their effects on cardiac fibrosis. For her academic achievements and community leadership, Kubo received five scholarships throughout the course of her undergraduate career.
After graduating from UC San Diego, Phoebe Kubo was accepted into the Stanford COMET Fellowship, where she scribed in endocrinology and interventional cardiology. During this time, she initiated a successful pilot program with one of the physicians, which helped expand the program by drawing provider interest. Her concurrent research endeavors examining cardio-metabolic effects of gender-affirming hormone therapy in transgender women led to co-authored work that was published and presented at both ENDO 2021 and USPATH 2021 Scientific Symposium. Throughout this period, she also worked as an academic tutor and a piano and violin teacher. Following her fellowship, Kubo gained additional experience working in hair transplant surgery and ophthalmology with the goal of broadening her clinical foundation. Eventually, she relocated to her partner’s home state of Hawaii, where she continued preparing for PA school, while immersing herself in the local culture and gaining insight into Hawaii’s specific healthcare challenges.
Recognizing the need for accurate and accessible healthcare information during the pandemic, Kubo founded HowMedWorks.com, a healthcare advocacy website that now reaches thousands of readers every month. On this platform, Kubo writes informational articles on topics ranging from finding a provider to understanding healthcare insurance so readers can better navigate the healthcare system. More recently, she has expanded to include resources for pre-PAs and PA students, including one-on-one coaching services and comprehensive study guides. Ultimately, Kubo strives to increase accessibility to healthcare resources and support future providers by drawing from her unique perspectives as a healthcare worker, student, and patient.
During her time in the Long Island University (LIU) PA Program, Kubo served as the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) Student Academy Board of Directors Chief Delegate (2025–26); an AAPA House of Delegates (HOD) Student Delegate (2024–25); the PA History Society (PAHx) Student Trustee (2025); a New York State Society of PAs (NYSSPA) PA Student Director (2025–26); a PA Foundation (PAF) Program & Development Committee Member (2025-26); and the Student Academy Representative (SAR) for her class (2024–25). As a Student Delegate, Kubo successfully passed policies on robotic surgery and artificial intelligence. In her role as the PAHx Student Trustee, she interviewed and wrote biographies of notable individuals to help preserve the history of the PA profession. As a NYSSPA PA Student Director, Kubo worked to strengthen communication channels between NYSSPA and PA programs statewide, fostering a more connected and engaged PA student network across New York. In her role as a PAF Program & Development Committee Member, she contributed ideas and initiatives to support the organization’s mission of advancing the PA profession through scholarships, grants, and educational resources. Finally, as her student society’s SAR, Kubo helped organize class events like participating in PAs on the Plaza, volunteering in the NYC Pride March, and attending key conferences.
During PA school, Phoebe Kubo also attended the AAPA Leadership & Advocacy Summit (LAS) 2025, where she spoke with Hawaii and New York legislators on Capitol Hill to advocate for patients and the profession. Additionally, she served as a panelist at LAS 2025, the AAPA 2024 and 2025 Pre-PA Mixers, the 3rd Annual Seton Hall PA Advocacy Panel, and the Stanford COMET PA Panel. Furthermore, Kubo has volunteered as a personal statement reviewer, sharing insights and advice with aspiring PA students and helping them get into PA school.
Kubo’s commitment to excellence has earned her several awards, including the AAPA 2025 PA Student of the Year Award, American Association of Surgical PAs (AASPA) Susan and Tom Lusty Memorial Scholarship, NYSSPA PA Student Scholarship, and Honolulu Federal Credit Union (HOCU) Lydia K.C. Kauha Memorial Scholarship. Earning her Master of PA Studies (MPAS), Kubo graduated summa cum laude, received both the Camille Kiefer (Maureen Sullivan) Award for outstanding service to the community and the PA profession and the Peer Award for the PA student most likely to be trusted in patient care by their peers, and was inducted into the Pi Alpha Honor Society.
In her free time, Kubo enjoys reading fantasy and thriller novels, practicing yoga, and trying new restaurants.
Acknowledgements
This biography was prepared by Phoebe Kubo. It was submitted to the Society in February of 2025. It was updated in December 2025. The photographs are courtesy of Ms. Kubo.
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