WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., October 6, 2023 – The start of National Physician Assistant week has a special significance at West Liberty University this year. Today marks the first time in the program’s history that 53 students have gathered for end of rotation testing, peer presentations, and lectures. The gathering included 14 second year students as they completed the latest clinical rotation, 18 first year students who participated, as well as 21 former students of the Alderson Broaddus PA Program who were recently brought into the program. These 21 second-year students have just completed their first clinical rotation of this school year in hospitals and clinics across the state of West Virginia.
Today’s end of rotation marks the culmination of months of work to create a path to allow this group to find a new home and complete their studies following the sudden closure of Alderson Broaddus University in August. The West Liberty PA team and West Liberty University administration had a few short weeks to get the proper approvals and make the transition work for these students and two of their former faculty. Transfer between PA programs is very unusual and created unexpected financial burdens for the AB PA students. The WLU Foundation developed and approved a scholarship to support the displaced students in transferring to West Liberty University. The cohort of 21 students officially began their studies at West Liberty University on September 4, 2023, and will graduate with their Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from WLU on August 16, 2024.
National PA week recognizes the PA profession and its contributions to the nation’s health. It starts every year on October 6th, which is the birthday of the profession’s founder Dr. Eugene Stead. The theme for this year’s PA week is “PAs Go Beyond.”
WLU PA Program Director Sarah Brammer noted “This year’s PA week theme is a perfect summary of the last two months at the WLU PA Program. I am so proud of the WLU PA Program, West Liberty University, and the WLU Foundation for going beyond what was easy or comfortable to recognize the needs and humanity of these 21 students and 2 faculty members. We have successfully undertaken a monumental task of transferring these students to complete their PA education and be well-equipped to provide much-needed healthcare to the state of WV and many others across the country.”
WLU president Dr. Tim Borchers and program students, faculty, and staff officially kicked off the celebration of National PA Week today at 2 p.m. with a cake-cutting ceremony. The ceremony was followed by four clinical case presentations, each given by a second-year student to the gathered group of peers, faculty, staff, and guests. President Borchers welcomed the students and expressed “I am proud of the PA program at West Liberty University, which for the past three years has had a 100% pass rate on the certifying exam. I extend my appreciation to our faculty and staff in the PA profession, and also to our students who are pursuing a career where they will contribute to the well-being and quality of life for the patients with whom they work.”
PA student Erin Urbanski, class president of the former AB PA students stated “The faculty, staff, and students at the WLU PA Program have been extremely welcoming and helpful throughout this whole transition process. I am so excited to continue my education through this program and I have no doubts that I will become a capable provider when I graduate.”
The class president of the WLU PA students in the class of 2024, Lexie Higgins, has welcomed her new clinical student colleagues and observed “I’m proud to be a part of the West Liberty PA family. PAs really do go beyond, I have seen this proven time and time again as a student, peer, and even a patient. PAs focus on patient centered care with a team-based approach, working together has been my favorite part of being a PA student.”
The WLU PA Program has been training future healthcare providers at West Liberty University since 2012. To date, 170 PAs have graduated from the WLU PA Program and are practicing in over 20 states around the US. Approximately 40 alumni currently practice medicine in Wheeling and the surrounding community. The 170 West Liberty University PA graduates are part of approximately 168,300 PAs practicing in the U.S today. The PA profession is one of the fastest growing in the country. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates PA employment to increase 28% between 2021 and 2031 – much faster than the average for all occupations.
Members of the PA program faculty include Program Director Sarah Brammer, Assistant Program Director Dr. Deanna Leach, Director of Clinical Education Kristie Meintel, Clinical Coordinator Phillip Northey, Academic Coordinator, Margaret Sims, Associate Professor Jennifer Childers, Assistant Professor Brittney Sobota, Assistant Professor Dr. Jennifer Burns, and Medical Director Dr. Howard Shackelford. Staff includes Administrative Secretary Tara K. Hardman, and Clinical Administrative Assistant Connie McVicar.
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.
For complete information on the physician assistant program at WLU, please visit westliberty.edu/physician-assistant or call 304-336-5098.