Posted 2:29 p.m. Monday, Sept. 29, 2014
During National Physician Assistant week, UW-L focuses in on its UW-L’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program — a reputable program that partners with local hospitals to meet the national demand for PAs.
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Karissa Hultmark, left, a student in UW-L’s PA program, looks on as Dr. Sandy Sieck, UW-L’s PA program director, demonstrates part of an eye exam on another student Mike Toye.[/caption]
National Physician Assistant week, Oct. 6-12, is a time to celebrate America’s more than 100,000 clinically practicing Physician Assistants. UW-L’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is a top-ranked program nationally, which partners with local hospitals to meet the national demand for future PAs.
“Even as a senior in high school, I knew that I wanted to be a PA,” says Karissa Hultmark, a student in UW-L’s program and president of the UW-L chapter of the Physician Assistant Student Society (PASS). “PAs are on the front line of health care, interacting with patients and working with physicians, nurses and other health care providers. I can’t think of a more rewarding profession.”
Students in UW-L's PA program Morgan Swartz, left, and Nadia Elfessi practice checking blood pressure.[/caption]
“I believe the competitive student selection, dedicated and educated staff and phenomenal partnership sites set UW-L’s PA program apart, making it one of the best in the U.S.,” says student Crystal Ziegler.
The instructors truly care about student success, says PA student Chelsea Ruda. “I know I made the right decision to become a PA, and I am so excited for what the future holds,” she says.
PA Student Nadia Elfessi says she is excited about a future working with a variety of patients and “bringing a smile to someone’s face.”
“In this profession I am able to see more patients, which ultimately means getting to make a difference in more people’s lives,” she says.
Karissa Hultmark, left, a student in UW-L’s PA program, looks on as Dr. Sandy Sieck, UW-L’s PA program director, demonstrates part of an eye exam on another student Mike Toye.[/caption]
National Physician Assistant week, Oct. 6-12, is a time to celebrate America’s more than 100,000 clinically practicing Physician Assistants. UW-L’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program is a top-ranked program nationally, which partners with local hospitals to meet the national demand for future PAs.
“Even as a senior in high school, I knew that I wanted to be a PA,” says Karissa Hultmark, a student in UW-L’s program and president of the UW-L chapter of the Physician Assistant Student Society (PASS). “PAs are on the front line of health care, interacting with patients and working with physicians, nurses and other health care providers. I can’t think of a more rewarding profession.”
Top 5 things to know:
1. Physician Assistants from UW-L’s program are in high demand. Since 2006 all 134 UW-La Crosse Physician Assistant program graduates — 100 percent — have become employed as physician assistants. Physician assistants have been increasingly in demand because they offer a broad range of diagnostic and preventative medical services — similar to what a primary care provider does. And it’s a time when doctors are in demand because of the increasing healthcare needs of an aging population and changes in health care access. “I think mid-level providers, including PAs, are going to be a huge part of sustaining health care in the future,” says PA program student Stephanie Brandt. 2. UW-L’s PA program is a partnership with two, world-renowned medical institutions. In 1995 UW-L and local hospitals decided to team up to start a PA program with UW-L handling the didactic portion and hospitals — Mayo Clinic Health System and Gundersen Health System — providing clinical rotations. UW-L is fortunate to have an affiliation with these world-renowned medical institutions, a luxury the majority of PA programs nationally do not have, notes Dr. Sandy Sieck, UW-L’s PA program director. In addition to offering hands-on training, the hospitals also provide feedback on curriculum and assist in selecting the program’s future students. “I chose to attend UW-L because it’s the best,” says PA student Michael Poterucha. “The partnership between UW-L, Mayo Clinic and Gundersen combines the resources of a phenomenal university system with two exceptional health care systems.” 3. UW-L’s PA program fills a regional employment need. Upon graduation 123 of the 134 graduates — 92 percent — have stayed within the tri-state area (Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa), and are helping to meet the regional demand for health care providers. 4. UW-L’s PA program students score high. Since 2006, graduates of the UW-L – Gundersen – Mayo PA Program have a 100 percent pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Additionally, since 2009, UW-L graduates have scored above the national average on all subscores of PANCE. 5. UW-L Physician Assistant program students are top-notch. UW-L’s PA program is competitive. This year 319 applications were submitted for only 19 positions. Those who make it into the program have obvious passion for the program and PA profession. [caption id="attachment_36529" align="alignright" width="700"] Students in UW-L's PA program Morgan Swartz, left, and Nadia Elfessi practice checking blood pressure.[/caption]
“I believe the competitive student selection, dedicated and educated staff and phenomenal partnership sites set UW-L’s PA program apart, making it one of the best in the U.S.,” says student Crystal Ziegler.
The instructors truly care about student success, says PA student Chelsea Ruda. “I know I made the right decision to become a PA, and I am so excited for what the future holds,” she says.
PA Student Nadia Elfessi says she is excited about a future working with a variety of patients and “bringing a smile to someone’s face.”
“In this profession I am able to see more patients, which ultimately means getting to make a difference in more people’s lives,” she says.