WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 10, 2018 — West Liberty University’s 2018 Physician Assistant Studies master degree graduates just achieved a huge goal — they all passed their national board exams, a rigorous test that is given at various sites throughout the country for new graduates of PA programs.

From left (standing) Daniel Burns, Emily Butler, Ryan Killpack, Chelsea Camerlengo, Laura Waialae, Ceirra Zeigler, Courtney Pyeritz, Autumn Cunningham, Kimberly Rinard and Jon-Michael Brunner, (seated) Chad Eckard, Brandon Bolduc, Lauren Healy, Caitlyn Asbury, Jillian Laslo and Julia Gotthardt.

“We are proud of our recent graduates and congratulate them on a job well-done. This is an additional measure of success of the WLU PA program, that the class of 2018 achieved a 100 percent first-time taker PANCE pass rate. Ultimately, this success is a measure of the commitment, work, and study of the students themselves,” said Dr. William A. Childers Jr, PA-C Program Director.

The newest group of WLU PAs graduated in a formal ceremony held June 15.

Childers went on to say that the perfect pass rate also is a direct measure of the commitment on behalf of West Liberty University PA program to student success. Historically, since the PANCE was initiated in 1973, the national pass rate has fluctuated between 69.0 and 94.6 percent, according to the PA Life website.

The Class of 2018 and their hometowns include: Caitlyn Asbury, New Cumberland, W.Va.; Brandon Bolduc, Weirton, W.Va.; Jon-Michael Brunner, Wheeling, W.Va.; Daniel Burns, Wheeling, W.Va.; Emily Butler, Washington, W.Va.; Chelsea Camerlengo, Weirton, W.Va.; Autumn Cunningham, Georgetown, Pa.; Chad Eckard, Greenville, Pa.; Julia Gotthardt, Southbury, Conn.; Lauren Healy, Bloomington, Ind.; Ryan Killpack, Firth, Idaho; Jillian Laslo, Shadyside, Ohio; Courtney Pyeritz, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Kimberly Rinard, Wardensville, W.Va.; Laura Waialae, Wheeling, W.Va. and Ceirra Zeigler, New Cumberland, W.Va.

All the PAs have found employment and are looking forward to beginning their new career path.

As the 2018 class of PAs move into the workforce, the incoming class of 19 physician assistant students completed program orientation on June 30 and began to hit the books with classroom work on July 2. These students will go through a year of classroom work, followed by a second year of clinical rotations. Students also perform community outreach and service as part of their studies.

The PA program at WLU began in summer 2012 and offers students a 24-month, year round program of study housed at the newly constructed Campbell Hall of Health Sciences. Fully accredited, it is just one of several health sciences major offered by WLU’s College of Sciences. 

For complete information, please contact the Department of Physician Assistant Studies master’s degree program at 304.336.5098.

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