WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., July 7, 2022 — West Liberty University’s Physician Assistant Studies master degree program achieved a 100 percent pass rate for the second year in a row.
This significant achievement means that all 2022 graduates passed their national board exams, known as the PANCE test, a rigorous exam that is given at various sites throughout the country for new graduates of PA programs.
“This is a strong statement of success. It reflects the success of our program and the hard work of our students and faculty as they prepared for this exam. I am proud of each of our graduates and congratulate them as they enter their chosen careers,” said Dr. William A. Childers Jr, PA-C Program Director.
The newest group of WLU PAs graduated in a formal ceremony held on June 10, 2022.
According to the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), national first-time taker pass rates varied from 93 to 98 percent since 2017. This is the third time in that timeframe that WLU’s program has achieved 100 percent passing scores for a graduating class of PAs.
The PA Class of 2022 and their hometowns include: Janette Adkins, Beckley, W.Va.; Kira Barondeau, Salt Lake City, Utah; Emily Bender, Langeloth, Pa.; Abbey Cusick, Shadyside, Ohio; Tyler Fancher, Joplin, Mo..; Connor Hall, Orem, Vt.; Kaylee Hillard, Bradley, W.Va.; Robert Hutcheson, South Charleston, W.Va.; David Lee, Jacksonville, Fl.; Haleigh Marlowe, Stanley, N.C.; Ethan McDonald, Inwood, W.Va.; Jennifer Myers, Wellsburg, W.Va.; Madison Neiswonger, Beallsville, Ohio; Corey Parsons, Cross Lanes, W.Va.; Abigail Runatz, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Alexxa Safko, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Siarra Shaw, Olean, N.Y. and Zachary Sites, Sugar Grove, W.Va.
As the 2022 class of PAs moves into the professional field of healthcare, the newest class of 19 physician assistant students completed program orientation on June 24, and entered the classroom on June 27. These new PA 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 majors 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.