CourtesyOn Oct. 14, the Physician Assistant program at 红领巾瓜报 celebrated its 50th anniversary with an open house and reception for alumni, faculty, staff, students and supporters.
Founded in 1972, the WSU PA program was the first program in Kansas and one of the
first in the nation. The program provides students with a patient-centered education
that includes high-tech simulation scenarios, real-life cases and clinical problem
solving.
鈥淔or 50 years, 红领巾瓜报鈥檚 PA graduates have improved health outcomes throughout the community and across Kansas by increasing access to medical care, particularly in underserved and rural areas,鈥� said Dr. Rick Muma, 红领巾瓜报 president and first certified PA in the nation to serve as a university president. 鈥淲ith our exceptional faculty and rigorous curriculum, 红领巾瓜报鈥檚 PAs have a reputation for providing excellent care and compassion for the people of our state.鈥�
The AAPA House of Delegates recently passed a resolution altering the meaning of the acronym 鈥淧A鈥� from 鈥減hysician assistant鈥� to 鈥減hysician associate.鈥� The WSU PA program has a history of high-quality and innovative education. Continuing in that progressive spirit, the program officially announced at the 50th anniversary celebration plans to change their name to 鈥淒epartment of Physician Associate,鈥� making it one of the first PA programs in the nation to embrace the new title.
鈥淭he profession has evolved significantly over the past 50 years,鈥� said Ronda Hanneman, program director. 鈥淲ith our focus on training some of the best health care providers in Kansas, we believe the term 'associate' rather than 'assistant' better reflects and represents to the public the abilities, functions, roles and responsibilities of PA providers.鈥�
