Daniel Scott, DMSc, PA-C, was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, to Ed and Mary Jane Scott. His father spent his entire career with General Electric. Scott says his mother had the hardest job of all, that of a stay-at-home mother with three children. He has two siblings named Ed and Mary Jane. They grew up in a very typical Irish-Catholic household.
When Scott was five, his parents bought a piano and he started learning to play. Over time he became very good at the piano. At age 10, the family joined the Holmesburg Boys Club where he became active in sports. Scott’s love of football led to him being selected to the Philadelphia Little Quakers football team. Though he enjoyed football, music was always in the back of his mind, and, on his father’s suggestion, he started writing his own songs and took voice lessons. He graduated from Father Judge High School in 1979 and set his sights on becoming a performing artist.
In 1985, Scott graduated from the Community College of Philadelphia, earning an Associate Degree in Music Composition and Theory. He auditioned and was selected to join “The Sounds of Sun”, a musical group sponsored by the Sun Oil Company. He toured around the Philadelphia area singing and performing for special events. It was there he met his future wife, Sue. He received a Bachelor of Arts in English in 1993 from Cabrini College. At that point, he realized that the world did not need another Barry Manilow, so he started looking for another path to pursue.
In 1993, Scott became a nationally registered emergency medical technician (EMT). It was during this time that he learned of the PA profession. In 1995, he began his quest to become a PA and was accepted into the inaugural PA class of the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science (now known as Thomas Jeffersen University). He was elected class president and then president of the university’s student society. Scott went to work after graduation in emergency medicine in inner-city Philadelphia.
In 2001, Scott earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He then went on to acquire a Certificate in Executive Leadership from University of Notre Dame in 2014, and – a Doctor of Medical Science from the University of Lynchburg which was conferred on May 10th, 2024 – he considers this his most significant accomplishment as a PA.
Scott gives credit to five PA mentors who helped him become successful in the two “phases” of his PA profession. When he was a PA student, Dr. Matt Baker, Mr. Michael “Rocky” Rackover, Ms. Mary Conway, and Ms. Lane Bower. These four individuals took a special interest in his PA education and challenged him to strive for success. He admits that without their love, dedication, perseverance, and guidance, he would never have made it through PA school.
Scott credits several role models for his success and development as a medical professional. First and foremost, his father. He was a gentleman and a scholar, and most of all, he was his best friend. He also credits Dr. Richard Vause, who he says not only taught him how to be a better PA educator, but stood by him through some difficult times. Next, Drs. Frank Harrison, Wayne Keller and Henry Mayer. These gentlemen were amazing cardiologists, teachers, mentors and friends. Last, but not least, Dr. Paul Helfrich. He was Scott’s music composition teacher. Dr. Helfrich taught him when it comes to music, “Less is more”. Enough said.
Scott was heavily involved in the Pennsylvania Society of PAs (PSPA). During his time with the PSPA, he served as a member of the Governmental Affairs Committee and was co-chair of the Political Action Committee for six years. Along with his co-chair, Meagan Renninger Alan, he started the annual silent auction that takes place during the PSPA’s annual CME conference. Scott is a Distinguished Fellow of the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) and a Fellow of PSPA.
Scott has published numerous articles and research papers. He wrote, produced, and was featured in an informational television series, “Monthly Medical Moments” for Diamond Television, a streaming service for Dow Chemical Company employees. He was the academic coordinator of Salus University’s College of Health Sciences (Now part of Drexel University), where he received the Outstanding Professor Award in 2014. Scott holds the rank of lieutenant commander in the Inactive Ready Corps of the United States Public Health Service (USPHS).
Scott continues to practice family medicine in Milford, DE, for the Bayhealth Medical Group. With his wife Sue and their 2 children, Daniel and Abby, he continues to compose music and has become a playwright. He and his daughter have just finished writing a new musical called, “Jamie’s Song”. When not practicing medicine or composing, he can be found on the stage of local community theaters playing such roles as P.T. Barnum in “BARNUM!”, Herbie in “GYPSY”, Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Lon, Jr. in “Meet Me in St. Louis”, Mr. Sowerberry in “OLIVER!”, and Albert Peterson in “Bye, Bye Birdie”.
When asked what he would like his legacy to be, Scott has four goals:
- To have made a difference in the lives of the patients he had the privilege to treat.
- To have had a positive impact on the students and shadowers who sought his tutelage.
- To have helped advance the PA profession in scope, recognition, and respect.
- To have made his family proud.
Those who know Dr. Daniel Scott will tell you, “Mission Accomplished”.
Acknowledgments:
This biography was prepared by Richard Vause, Jr., DHSc, MPAS, PA-C Emeritus, DFAAPA, FCPP, with the assistance of Daniel Scott. It was submitted to the Society in September 2026. The photographs are courtesy of Dr. Scott.
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