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Physician Assistant

School of Health Sciences
Physician Assistant Center · (570) 327-4779
Physicians Assistant Program Accredited by Accreditation Review Comission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc.

The Physician Assistant program at Pennsylvania College of Technology is a 24-month bachelor of science degree program which provides opportunities for both Penn College graduates and transfer students. The Physician Assistant program has been in existence since 1996 and has been accredited by ARC-PA since its inception.

The program is housed within the Physician Assistant Center. This building was built for the program's needs in 1996 and houses dedicated physician assistant facilities. Classroom and laboratory areas are spacious and include state-of-the-art educational technology.

What are Physician Assistants?

Physician Assistants are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Physician Assistants are qualified by graduation from an accredited Physician Assistant program and/or certification by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants. Within the Physician/PA relationship, Physician Assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making, and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services. The clinical role of Physician Assistants includes primary and specialty care in medical, emergency and surgical practice settings.

Physician Assistant practice is centered on patient care and may include educational, research and administrative activities. The Physician Assistant national organization is the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA). The state organization for Physician Assistants is the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA).

Penn College Physician Assistant Program Staff

The Physician Assistant Program has a Program Staff of 18. The faculty have a variety of specialty backgrounds, the average faculty member at Penn College has over ten years of clinical experience. In addition, the program utilizes the expertise of local physicians, physician assistants, pharmacologists and other health care providers throughout the curriculum. The Penn College program currently accepts a class size limited to 30.

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Physician Assistant News

College Presents Teaching Awards to Three Faculty Members

May 2009

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Christine M. Kessler named Master Teacher
Penn College honored three faculty members with Distinguished Teaching Awards at Spring Commencement ceremonies held May 16 at the Community Arts Center. The college’s highest level of recognition for a faculty member - the Veronica M. Muzic Master Teacher Award - was presented to Christine M. Kessler, assistant professor of physician assistant. Excellence in Teaching Awards were presented to Dottie M. Mathers, associate professor of medical/surgical nursing; and Frank M. Suchwala, instructor of hospitality management/culinary arts.

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'Springle Run' to Benefit Penn College Physician Assistant Club

February 2009

Penn College's Physician Assistant Club will greet the new season by sponsoring the aptly named 5K Springle Walk/Run at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 21, on main campus. The event, a club fundraiser and seasonal follow-up to December's 5K Jingle Walk/Run, will begin and end at Hagan Way (the campus entrance off Maynard Street). Registration is $20 and will be held on-site from 8:30-9:45 a.m. that day – the first full day of spring.

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'Jingle Walk/Run' Honors Program Founder, Boosts Scholarship Fund

December 2008

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'Jingle all the way'
About 40 participants braved Saturday's 25-degree temperatures for the first-ever Russell M. Trapp Memorial/Scholarship Jingle Walk/Run, honoring the founding director of Penn College's Physician Assistant Program and raising money for a scholarship fund in his honor. A summary of the event – compiled by students Larissa D. Kryder, Physician Assistant Club vice president, and Nadja M. Politza, club secretary – follows:

'Jingle Walk/Run' to Benefit Physician Assistant Scholarship

December 2008

The Russell M. Trapp Memorial 5K Jingle Walk/Run, benefiting the scholarship fund that honors the former director of Penn College's physician assistant program, will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, on the college’s main campus. The race, which replaces an annual golf tournament as the program's scholarship fundraiser, will begin and end at Hagan Way (the campus entrance off Maynard Street). On-site registration is $18, and awards will be given to the top two runners and walkers of each gender. Nonparticipants wishing to contribute can purchase a T-shirt for $15. For more information, consult the event flier:

Students to Assist at Free Flu-Shot Clinics in Lycoming County

November 2008

Students enrolled in the School of Health Sciences at Penn College will partner with state and local organizations to administer free flu shots throughout Lycoming County in November. Nursing, paramedic and physician assistant students will administer free flu and pneumococcal vaccine and will distribute educational materials regarding the immunizations at the seven clinic sites.

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