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SMHS to present Master of Physician Assistant Studies degrees

May 4, 2016

GRAND FORKS, N.D.— The Department of Physician Assistant Studies Hooding Ceremony for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2016 at the University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences will take place on Friday, May 13, at 2:00 p.m. at the Gorecki Alumni Center. Official diplomas will be granted during University of North Dakota Commencement on Saturday, May 14.

Thirty-three students will receive their Master of Physician Assistant Studies (M.P.A.S.) degree. The program comprises a 24-month curriculum and includes a combination of online coursework, classroom experiences on campus and clinical experiences under the supervision of a physician or physician assistant in rural or underserved primary care areas.

The primary mission of the University of North Dakota Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to prepare selected students to become competent physician assistants working collaboratively with physician supervision, emphasizing primary care in communities within North Dakota as well as regionally, nationally, and globally.

With this mission, the goal is to improve access to healthcare, help alleviate shortages of primary care providers, and deliver quality, affordable, and comprehensive healthcare to rural or underserved populations.

To date, the program has 1,780 graduates who are employed throughout the United States (including Hawaii, Alaska, and the Virgin Islands), Canada, and overseas. The program’s success in meeting its mission is evidenced by the following:

  • 67 percent of recent graduates are employed in primary care practices;
  • 78 percent of recent graduates reside in the same city or town as when they graduated (trained and retained as medical providers in home areas); and
  • 53 percent of recent graduates are practicing in a rural area (defined as fewer than 25,000 people).

University of North Dakota President Edward Schafer; UND Vice President for Health Affairs and Dean of the School of Medicine & Health Sciences Joshua Wynne, M.D., M.B.A., M.P.H.; and SMHS Senior Associate Dean for Education Gwen Halaas, M.D., M.B.A., will offer welcoming remarks along with Department of Physician Assistant Studies Chair Jeanie McHugo, Ph.D., P.A.-C.. Associate Dean for Health Sciences Tom Mohr, P.T., Ph.D., will deliver closing remarks. Awards will be given to academically outstanding students, committed preceptors, and students who performed well on their scholarly projects. Students will be hooded by their family and friends.

###

Denis F. MacLeod
Assistant Director, Office of Alumni and Community Relations
University of North Dakota
School of Medicine & Health Sciences
501 N Columbia Rd, Stop 9037 | Room 1106 | Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037
701.777.2733 direct | 218.779.3107 cell
denis.macleod@UND.edu
www.med.UND.edu

School of Medicine & Health Sciences
1301 N Columbia Rd Stop 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037
701.777.2514
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    School of Medicine & Health Sciences

    1301 N Columbia Rd Stop 9037
    Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037

    701.777.2514

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