WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., Aug. 17, 2022 — Eighteen future physician assistants received their official white coats and took the PA oath on Friday, Aug. 12 in a ceremony held in Kelly Theater.
The ceremony included a welcome from Professor Sarah Brammer, program director, and comments from Dean of the College of Sciences Dr. Karen Kettler.
“I am honored to mark this professional milestone with our newest class of PA students. The ceremony formally initiates the students into their path to the PA profession and reminds them of the responsibility that comes with their chosen career. I have challenged them never to forget the human focus and empathy required for patient care,” said Brammer, who also is a 2014 graduate of WLU’s inaugural class of PAs and joined the graduate degree program as a professor in 2015.
The new class will graduate from the master’s degree program in 2024 and includes students from all over the country, including: Danijel Bartolovic, Grand Rapids, Mich.; Kori Blake, Glen Dale, W.Va.; Tyler Blomquist, St. Clairsville, Ohio; Taylor Cheripko, Darnestown, Mld.; Carson Corrick, Wheeling, W.Va.; Madison Cutler, Wellsville, Utah; Mykaela Davis., St. Marys, W.Va.; Grace Eftink, Bloomsdale, Mo.; Christian Feil, Salt Lake City, Utah; Peri Gray, Cameron, W.Va.; Liliana Gregg, Black Mountain, N.C.; Tanner Heiman, West Richland, Wash.; Alexandria Higgins, Tacoma, Wash.; Amanda Jacob, Martins Ferry, Ohio; Nicholas Konyk, Canonsburg, Pa.; Elle Roberts, Logan, Ohio; Alex Tagawa, Broomsfield, Colo. and Blake Wilcock, Tucson, Az.
The graduate students also heard from member of the 2016 graduating class of PAs, Amanda Mace, who was the guest speaker. Mace practices in neurology through the Allegheny Health Network at West Penn Hospital, Pittsburgh.
All PAs received the official white coat signifying their entry into the medical profession and recited the official PA Oath, administered by Professor Kristie Meintel, who serves as clinical coordinator of the students.
Other members of the PA program faculty include: Associate Professor Jennifer L. Childers, Assistant Professor Brittany Sobota Assistant Professor Robert J. Wetzel, and Medical Director Dr. Howard Shackelford; staff includes Administrative Assistant Tara K. Hardman.
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 has one of the most affordable programs in the state.
For complete information on the physician assistant program at WLU, please visit westliberty.edu/physician-assistant or call 304-336-5098.