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Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions
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Department of Physician Assistant Studies Department of Physician Assistant Studies
Physician Assistant Studies
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Established in 1996, the Physician Assistant Studies program at the University of South Alabama is a Master’s Degree program and is designed for the student who holds a baccalaureate degree in any field.
The program provides the student with comprehensive medical knowledge, skills, and attitudes enabling them to engage in clinical practice, and is designed to prepare the student for a variety of clinical practice settings. The goals and objectives of the program are guided by the criteria set forth in the
Essentials and Guidelines for an Accredited Educational Program for the Physician Assistant, as established by the Accreditation Review Committee on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Students are prepared for practice using a variety of learning strategies, including, formal lectures, practical laboratory classes, clinical education and clinical research. Graduates develop advanced clinical problem solving skills, in addition to acquiring technical proficiency in areas related to professional practice.
Endowed Scholarship Received
Dr. Abercrombie and Dr. Parker
The USA Department of Physician Assistant Studies recently received its first endowed scholarship due to the generosity of Pensacola, FL residents Dr. Ron Parker and his wife Nancy. The $25,000 scholarship will be awarded to students enrolled in the Physician Assistant (PA) Studies Program at USA.
The Parker's selected USA to honor friends and family who are alumni of the Physician Assistant Studies program and for the program's reputation of being an elite program in the state. The goal in creating this scholarship is to give back to deserving students to receive support in their pursuit of becoming a PA health care professional and decreasing the PA workforce shortage in the USA service area.
First Married Couple in PA Program
Kate and Chase Fullerton
When Chase Fullerton, PA-S (Class of 2014) matriculated into the PA program in 2012 it became official. He and his wife Katie Fullerton, PA-S (Class of 2013) became the first married couple to have entered the PA program here at USA. The Fullerton's also became the first married couple to both receive Air Force scholarships. All of this begs the question – how did they meet and what brought the Florida natives to PA school in Mobile?
"We met through mutual friends during spring break in 2009," Chase says. "Katie and I had a lot in common including both wanting to go to PA school."
The couple learned about the profession during their undergraduate studies. When they married in 2011 Katie applied for PA school first as she had already completed all of her prerequisites.
"I originally wanted to go to medical school," Katie says, "but I didn't want to be in school for that length of time so when I learned about the PA profession I knew it would be a perfect match."
The Fullerton's were fortunate enough to have applied for and be awarded scholarships from the U.S. Air Force. The scholarships will pay for their tuition, books, equipment, health insurance, etc. in addition to a monthly stipend once they became commissioned officers. Katie became a commissioned officer on January 5, 2012 and Chase on January 31, 2013. Upon graduation they will attend Commissioned Officer Training and then be assigned to a base. Katie hopes to learn where that will be within the upcoming months.
Recent Graduate Deployed to Afghanistan
Click here to read an article about Dustin McNew, PA-C (Class of 2010) and his recent deployment to Afghanistan.
CALENDAR
May 1, 2013
2013-2014 Admissions Cycle opens.
May 13, 2013
PA classes begin.
July 24, 2013
Information Session
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Allied Health Auditorium,
Room 1012
Health Sciences Building
(Building #107)
see map
Explore your inner PA!
This session covers information about the profession, admissions requirements, class selection, curriculum, and involves faculty, staff, and current students. Spouses, partners, family and friends are welcome.
RSVP to
pastudies@southalabama.edu
Oct. 3, 2013
OPEN HOUSE RECEPTION
Come celebrate National PA Week with us!
Health Sciences Building Lobby and Allied Health Auditorium,
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Reservations required:
email
pastudies@southalabama.edu to reserve your space.
November 1, 2013
Deadline for receipt of all application materials:
complete and verified CASPA, Supplemental Application, and GRE scores.
January 17-18, 2014
Interviews
February, 2014
Acceptance letters mailed.
