WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., March 17, 2025 – West Liberty University (WLU) Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPA) students recently received the honor of being published in the Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants (JOPA) for their research on diagnosing and managing Legg-Calvé-Perthes (LCPD) in the obese pediatric population.
Their article was selected by JOPA as one of the best submitted by a Physician Assistant (PA) student in 2024 and included a cash prize award.
LCPD is a condition marked by temporary blood flow disruption to the proximal femur, commonly afflicting children aged 15 years and younger. The cause of the disease is usually unknown and involves the femoral head (the top part of the thigh bone) losing its blood supply. This lack of blood flow leads to bone weakening and deformity.
The student’s research focused on gaining an improved understanding of the less studied impact of obesity on LCPD in children, which is found to exacerbate its progression and increase the severity of the disease. Their research and findings will be crucial for tailored management, treatment, and optimal outcomes for those with the condition.
WLU PA program student and lead author, Lauren Beckish, explains the process behind choosing a topic to research and how their findings will serve the medical community.
“Our class was instructed to find an under-researched topic that would be relevant to pitch to medical journals to publish,” explains Beckish. “While LCPD is well-researched, the effects obesity has on the disease are not. With this article now being published, our research will be available to help identify the condition when seen in practice,” she adds.
Along with fellow students and professors, Lauren Beckish, researched the topic and sought expertise from her father, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Michael Lawrence Beckish, who practices in Greenville, South Carolina.
“My father and I share a passion for orthopedics. It was very special to work on this research together and have both our names on the article,” she said.
The entire project took 11 weeks to complete. The complete list of authors includes Lauren Beckish, BS; Madison Ging, BS; Maria Mosman, BS; Cody Kelley, BS; Landree Wilkin, BS; Olivia Wills, BS; Madison Adams, BS; Cassidy Pinion, BS; Cheyenne Bilica, BS; Alavia Anderson, BS; Margaret Sims, MSPAS, PA-C; Michael Beckish, MD; and Deanna M. Schmitt, PhD.
The full article can be read online here.
More about the JBJS Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants
Edited by Dagan M. Cloutier, PA-C, JBJS Journal of Orthopaedics for Physician Assistants (JOPA) is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes timely and practical articles covering all orthopaedic subspecialties for physician assistants (PAs) and nurse practitioners (NPs). JOPA provides a unique forum for health-care practitioners to share knowledge and experiences with colleagues in the profession.
More about West Liberty University’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program
WLU’s nationally accredited 24-month MSPAS program begins each July and attracts students from across the country. The program focuses on training compassionate, competent professionals to serve as integral members of a collaborative healthcare team by combining basic science courses as well as classes and laboratories in the applied medical sciences. Upon graduating, students are prepared to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) and are trained to perform the critically important work of treating patients. Learn more at westliberty.edu/physician-assistant.
