Maureen Finney, EdD, PA-C, built a distinguished career as a clinician, PA educator, academic leader, and university president. In 2026, she became the first female PA to serve as president of a college or university, a milestone that reflected her long-standing commitment to clinical care, PA education, student success, and community service.
Finney was raised in western New York in what she describes as a warm Irish household. Her father was a chemistry professor for 45 years at Niagara University where Finney later said it was “the privilege of my lifetime” to take two courses with him. Her mother was an inner-city school principal. Both parents were intellectual, service-oriented, and deeply committed to using their talents to help others. Finney has often said that she stands “on their shoulders,” recognizing the sacrifices they made for her and her brothers. From an early age, she was drawn to science and leadership throughout her formative education. She also grew up a devoted Buffalo Bills fan.
Finney received her Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Niagara University in 1991 and her Master of Science in Natural Sciences from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1993. Her scientific training initially pointed her toward research, but a pivotal experience while in graduate school shifted her path. While working and needing an additional job to support herself, she became an HIV/AIDS counselor. In that role, she combined her knowledge of science and disease with a deeper calling to help people in need and realized that she wanted a career with direct human connection.
Around that time, a close friend sent Finney an article about a new PA program in Buffalo, telling her that the profession sounded like the right fit. Finney applied, was accepted, and entered a small PA class of approximately 20 students. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from D’Youville University in 1997. Later, as her career expanded into academic leadership and health professions education, she earned a Doctor of Education in Health Policy and Education from D’Youville University in 2008.
Finney’s PA education exposed her to a wide range of clinical experiences, and she found herself especially drawn to primary care, where she could treat the whole person and build long-term relationships with patients. After graduation, she practiced in primary care in an underserved community for nearly 25 years. She cared for the same cohort of patients across the lifespan, from birth to death, an experience she has described as deeply meaningful. Her clinical practice shaped her identity as a PA and later strengthened her leadership. She has credited her PA education with teaching her one of the most important lessons of leadership: to listen first and discern later.
Finney’s career in higher education began as a PA faculty member. At D’Youville, she became department chair at the request of the institution’s president and later became dean. She later served as provost at Hilbert College before moving to Nazareth University, where she served as provost for four years. On July 1, 2026, she became president of Nazareth University. For Finney, the transition represented the continuation of a leadership journey shaped by collaboration, mentorship, and service. She has described her path as one shaped by “time, place, and space,” as well as by people who saw possibilities in her before she fully saw them in herself.
A pivotal leadership moment occurred while Finney was dean at D’Youville, when her physical therapy department chair urged her to visit Nazareth University. There, she saw students and faculty providing pro bono interprofessional health care to patients who had exhausted their health care benefits but still had rehabilitation potential. The experience showed Finney that institutional size did not determine impact; vision, values, and purpose did. Inspired by that model, she helped develop D’Youville’s Health Professions Hub, a space focused on underserved communities, interprofessional education, simulation, and community-centered care.
Finney’s excellence as a PA, educator, and leader has been recognized throughout her career. D’Youville University named her Physician Assistant Department Faculty Member of the Year in 2001, 2004, and 2011. In 2003, she was nominated by the New York State Society of PAs for Physician Assistant of the Year. In 2015, D’Youville honored her with the J. Warren Perry Faculty Leadership and Human Service Award and the D’Youville University Quality Award. In 2017, Buffalo Business First named her a Health Care Champion. Her influence in higher education continued to be recognized after she became president of Nazareth University; in 2026, Insight Into Academia named her a Trailblazer in Higher Education, and the Rochester Business Journal honored her as a Woman of Excellence.
As president of Nazareth University, Finney approaches her role with humility, gratitude, and a deep sense of responsibility. She recognizes that none of her accomplishments have been achieved alone, but rather through what she describes as “beautiful concentric circles” of people coming together around a common vision and purpose. Guided by a commitment to mission, student success, and community engagement, she leads with careful attention to the “why” of the work and the belief that higher education can transform lives when grounded in values and purpose.
Finney, who has two daughters and is married to her college sweetheart; remains centered through faith, family, friends, reading, and exercise. Although her career has expanded into senior academic leadership, Finney has not distanced herself from her identity as a PA. She holds the profession in the highest regard and believes she is where she is today because she was a PA first.
Acknowledgments:
This biography was prepared by Stephanie Gilkey with the assistance of Dr. Maureen Finney. It was submitted to the Society in September 2026. Photographs are courtesy of Dr. Finney.
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