WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 25, 2016 — The acceptance of the white coat and recitation of the professional oath is a turning point for students enrolled in West Liberty University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies program. It marks the spot when future PAs agree to the duties, responsibilities and work involved in caring for the health and welfare of all future patients.
Eighteen graduate students who began the 24-month program on July 1 officially received the coats at a ceremony held Friday, July 22, in Kelly Theatre. Family, friends, faculty and staff joined the students for the occasion.
Program Director Dr. William A. Childers, Jr. welcomed guests and offered advice and congratulations to both them and their families. President Stephen Greiner also addressed the class and welcomed them to the Hilltop.
“These are all very motivated individuals that are entering a rigorous program. By accepting the white coats and pledging the Physician Assistant Professional Oath, they now move forward into the medical profession. We are especially pleased to have the President with us tonight and to enjoy the ongoing support of the University as we educate our graduate students,” Childers said.
The new class includes students from all over the country, some who just graduated from college, and others who are returning to school after time spent in the workforce.
“These students are accepting the unique role of the medical profession. They will soon have people’s lives in their hands and this symbolic ceremony emphasizes that role,” Childers said. “Our end goal is to facilitate competent medical providers for our region and the entire state.”
The new class of PAs include: Caitlyn Asbury, New Cumberland, W.Va.; Brandon Bolduc, Weirton, W.Va.; Jon-Michael Brunner, Wheeling; Daniel Burns, Wheeling; Emily Butler, Washington, W.Va., Chelsea Camerlengo, Weirton, W.Va.; Autumn Cunningham, Georgetown, Pa., Chad Eckard, Greenville, Pa., Julia Baczeski-Gotthardt, Southbury, Conn., Ryan Killpack, Firth, Idaho; Jillian Laslo, Shadyside, Ohio; Alayne Orison, Burgettstown, Pa.; Courtney Pyeritz, Pittsburgh; Kimberly Rinard, Wardensville, W.Va.; Sarah Schrock, Somerset, Pa.; Laura Waialae, Wheeling; Lauren Whitson, Bloomington, Ind. and Ceirra Zeigler, New Cumberland, W.Va.
The class also heard from a member of the second year class, Elizabeth Denniston of Sewickley, Pa., who is expected to graduate with her master’s degree next spring. Denniston is currently completing her first of nine clinical rotations, a pediatrics rotation at West Virginia University.
More than 800 hopeful students applied for the 18 spots in the master’s program, which accepts admission applications from qualified undergraduates every fall.
Many of this class of PAs are right at home on the Hilltop since they earned their undergraduate degrees at WLU including, Asbury, Brunner, Burns, Butler, Camerlengo, Laslo, Orison, Pyeritz, Waialae and Zeigler.
The other members of the class earned undergraduate degrees from Clarion University, Mount Vernon Nazarene, St. Francis University; Brigham Young University, La Roche College and Indiana University of Bloomington. Bolduc also has a master’s degree in exercise physiology from West Virginia University, Burns has a master’s in journalism from West Virginia University and Baczeski-Gotthardt has a master’s in exercise physiology from East Stroudsburg University, Pa.
The PA program faculty include: Childers, Ed.D, MS, PA-C; Howard L. Shackelford, MD, FACS, FACC; David A. Blowers, MPAS, PA-C; Jennifer L. Childers, MSPAS, PA-C; Kristie L. Meintel, PA; Tonda Stauffer, MPAS, PA-C; Sarah G. Brammer, MSPAS, PA-C; Robert J. Wetzel, MD, FACOG. Staff includes Administrative Secretary Tara K. Hardman, AA, AS and Records Assistant Connie C. McVicar, BS.
For more information on the PA program, please call the department directly at 304-336-5098 or call toll free, 1-866-WESTLIB or click westliberty.edu.