WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Oct. 22, 2019 — West Liberty University’s Physician Assistant Studies Master’s Degree Program now has a Rural Health Scholar in its ranks. First year student Brittany Waltz was one of the 50 from the state picked to receive one of these awards from the Area Health Education Center (AHEC).
“This is a great opportunity for Brittany and it goes along perfectly with our mission of taking medical care to the underserved across the state and beyond,” said Program Director William Childers, Jr. EdD, MS, PA-C.
The honor carries with it a $1,300 stipend ($650 per year).
Waltz is from Martinsburg, W.Va. and now makes her home in the small town of West Liberty. She earned her undergraduate degree in biology at Shepherd University. She knew she wanted to work in the field of medicine since she was in high school.
“This award is perfect for me since I also know I want to continue to work in West Virginia and this will give me extra training in rural medicine,” she said.
The AHEC Rural Community Health Scholars Program is a program for health profession students interested in supplementing their education though meaningful experiences in rural and/or underserved urban settings.
A two-year program, it helps students develop their knowledge through clinical, didactic, and community-based activities.
“I knew I wanted to work in the medical world and narrowed it down to physician assistant in high school. I love it here at West Liberty and am enjoying the program very much,” she said.
She begins soon to complete the 40 hours of online modules that she must finish as a rural scholar.
“I can do those online and then I have a 40-hour clinical rotation in a rural or underserved area to complete as well,” she said.
West Liberty University’s physician assistant program welcomed its first class in the summer of 2012 and continues to accept qualified students on an annual basis. Its next application cycle begins in April 2020.
For complete information on the physician assistant program at WLU, please visit westliberty.edu/physician-assistant or call 304-336-5098.