Physician Assistant Articles

First-year physician assistant student Kara M. Emrich, of Harrisburg, was a recipient of the Thomas J. Lemley Award for Health Disparities. Emrich accepted the award at the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates annual conference on Nov. 1.

Pennsylvania College of Technology has appointed Melissa E. Sedor as its physician assistant program director.

Pennsylvania College of Technology has presented student achievement awards to its Summer 2025 graduates. Commencement ceremonies were held Aug. 9 at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center, Williamsport. Penn College is a special mission affiliate of Penn State.

A day before Saturday’s Summer Commencement ceremonies, students graduating with Master of Science and combined Bachelor/Master of Science degrees in physician assistant studies were celebrated during a “white coat ceremony.” White coat ceremonies are long-held traditions in many medical and physician assistant programs and symbolize the transition from student to health care provider.

More than 140 students have petitioned to graduate from Pennsylvania College of Technology following the Summer 2025 sessions. A commencement ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center, with 89 students expected to march in the proceedings.

Penn College’s physician assistant program celebrated PA Week – observed annually Oct. 6-12 – with an outdoor pizza lunch for its students on Monday. PA Week is promoted by the American Academy of Physician Associates to celebrate all that physician associates/assistants (PAs) have accomplished, highlight the care they provide, and elevate the profession.

Two Pennsylvania College of Technology physician assistant studies students feel inspired and grateful following a recent clinical education rotation in Peru. Erin T. Braxton, of Berwyn, Catherine Coy, of Clifton Park, New York, spent five weeks in Trujillo, one of Peru’s largest cities. They completed their elective clinical rotation at Florencia de Mora hospital, with Braxton focusing on obstetrics and gynecology and Coy on pediatrics.

A group of students and faculty who will soon take part in Global Experience courses in the Dominican Republic gathered recently in Le Jeune Chef Restaurant, where, while getting to know one another, they were treated to a Dominican menu and learned more about the Caribbean nation they soon will visit.

For the second consecutive year, Pennsylvania College of Technology physician assistant graduates have bested the national first-attempt pass rate for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam. Ninety-four percent of Penn College’s Class of 2023 graduates – who completed their degrees in August – passed the exam on their first attempt, while 100% of the 2022 graduating class passed on their first try. The nationwide first-attempt pass rate for both years is 92%.

Students in the physician assistant program capped off PA Week, celebrated Oct. 6-12 every year, with a Wednesday pizza picnic in front of the Physician Assistant Center.