WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., June 9, 2023 — West Liberty University’s College of Sciences held its spring commencement ceremony for Physician Assistant (PA) master degree students at 6 p.m., Friday, June 9 in Kelly Theater.
The 10th annual ceremony celebrated 17 students and their achievements.
Interim President Dr. Cathy Monteroso conferred the degrees. Also speaking at the ceremony was the Chairman of the Board of Governors Richard “Rich” Lucas and Dean of Graduate Studies Dr. Sherri Theaker.
Program Director Sarah Brammer, MSPAS, PA-C, was the Master of Ceremonies and welcomed guests and families to the event.
Keynote speaker was David A. Blowers, MPAS, PA-C. A resident of Triadelphia, Blowers retired from WLU’s PA program administration in 2016. He was instrumental in the development of student internships and he served as clinical coordinator of the PA program, housed in Campbell Hall of Health Sciences.
Blowers established the connection between the PA program and the regional medical community, including hospitals, clinics, private practices and other medical entities across the country.
Dr. Allan Bedashi, Dr. Derrick Latos and Physician Assistant Regina Jones, all inaugural faculty members of WLU’s program, also offer messages of congratulations.
The PA Class of 2023 and their hometowns include: Lydia Adrian, Morgantown, W.Va.; Matthew Colonna, South Charleston, W.Va.; David Day, Rexburg, Idaho; Deidra DeMoss, Fairmont, W.Va.; Louis Durante, IV, St. George, Vt..; Skylar Fankhauser, Amsterdam, Ohio; Madeline Frischman, Pittsburgh, Pa.; Destinee Frye, Wheeling, W.Va.; Sarah Harmon, Wheeling, W.Va.; Nastaran Hosseini, Westminster, Co.; Joseph Mills, Harpers Ferry, W.Va.; Justin Rice, New Martinsville, W.Va.; Gabriel Rohmann, Wheeling, W.Va.; Lauren Ruffing, Bentleyville, Pa.; Halie Trouten, Rayland, Ohio; Jacob Vial, Twin Bridges, Mt.; Lauren White, McMurray, Pa.
Graduates received Pi Alpha Honors during the ceremony (national honor society for physician assistants). This honor is an indication of academic achievement, community service and leadership.
The ceremony also included a video celebrating each graduate, prepared by Hosseini, who is the WLU Physician Assistant Student Society Historian.
Before the close of the ceremony, the new PAs recited the official Physician Assistant Professional Oath, led by Kristie Meintel, WLU PA instructor and clinical coordinator.
Commencement can be viewed on WLU’s streaming platform, Topper Station.
West Liberty University’s Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies degree program is a 24-month, year-round course of studies that begins each year in July. Fully accredited by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, it includes one year of didactic, in-classroom work, and a second year of clinical rotations under the supervision of licensed clinical preceptors.
Featuring a small class size of 18 students, WLU is one of the most affordable programs in the country.
Other members of the PA program faculty include: Medical Director Howard Shackelford, MD, FACS, FACC; Assistant Professor Brittney Sobota, MSPAS, PA-C; Associate Professor Jennifer Childers, MSPAS, PA-C; Academic Coordinator Peggy Sims, MSPAS, PA-C; Assistant Professor Robert Wetzel, MD, FACOG. Staff includes Administrative Assistant Tara Hardman and Graduate Program Coordinator Becky Pauls.
For complete information on the physician assistant program at WLU, please visit westliberty.edu/physician-assistant or call 304-336-5098.