Physician Assistant
Combined Degree Options
MA/MMS Emerging Leaders Program Sequential degree MA in Management from the Wake Forest University School of Business MMS/MCPTS Combined degree MS in Clinical and Population Translational Science from Wake Forest University MMS/PhD Dual degree PhD in Transitional Research in Molecular Medicine from Wake Forest University MMS/MSL Dual degree with online component Designed to develop PA leaders who are prepared to transform the delivery of health care while navigating a complex legal marketplace
Winston Salem Experience
Urban location 525 Vine Street Suite 540 Revitalized downtown experience Shuttle service to/from Medical Center
Pre-Clinical Curriculum
Simulation Small group learning Lectures Labs
The Clinical Year
10 rotations 4 weeks each 7 required, 3 electives Wide variety of locations and settings
PA Program Curriculum
24 - 30 months in duration depending on the program First year is considered 'Pre-Clinical' although clinical experiences are included. Second year is considered the "Clinical Year" and includes clinical site rotations
Wake Forest-..PA's in North Carolina
9 accredited PA programs; ~5,000 practicing PAs Wake Forest School of Medicine offers westernmost accredited PA program in NC innovative inquiry-based learning curriculum
What are Physician Assistants?
A physician assistant (PA) is a medical professional who works as part of a team with a doctor. A PA is a graduate of an accredited PA educational program who is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine with the supervision of a physician. The scope of what the PA can do is based on the comfort level of the supervising MD and the training they receive
How independent are they?
As independent at the MD wants Most see their own patients Sometimes share a schedule with MD May rotate between multiple MD's Take practice call Open or close on surgery independently Sign medical documents Have own medical and DEA license
Salary
Average about 95k a year Many opportunities for loan repayment Surgical/Specialty jobs often pay more Experience, location and position drive salary Most PA's work 40-50 hours a week.
Typical Admissions Requirements
BS or BA degree required GRE scores Previous medical experience (1000 hours required for WFU)** This may be increasing in the next year Prerequisites for WFU: (with grade of C or better, completed PRIOR to application for admission for WFU) 3 credit hours of Genetics (molecular based) 3 credit hours of General Chemistry 3 credit hours of Biochemistry A survey or combined course will not meet this requirement 6 credit hours of Anatomy and Physiology 3 credit hours of Microbiology 3 credit hours of Statistics Medical Terminology course
Competitive Factors from Application
Diversity of Life Experience Military Service Leadership Research Community Service Medical Volunteer Work (underserved communities) PA Shadow Experience
Graduate Project
EBM based (Evidence Based Medicine) Projects EBM review Research Master Symposium
Where do you get patient care experience?
EMT Paramedic Nurse Medical Assistant CNA ER Tech Physical Therapy Aide Phlebotomist Clinical Research Assistant Scribe (with additional hands-on patient care) Medical volunteer work (especially with under-served communities)
What type of work do PA's do?
EVERYTHING Family Practice Orthopedics Internal Medicine Pediatrics Urology Emergency Room Hospital Surgery Cardiology Psychiatry Anesthesia OBGYN
Her Clinical Experience in Orthopedics
General Ortho x 3 years Now work primary care at health department Independent schedule in clinic Took practice call Hospital Consults Casting, joint injections routine in office Read/interpret X-rays Prescribe Rx Pre-op, sports physicals Assist in Surgery
What do PA's do?
Perform physical examinations Diagnose and treat illnesses Order and interpret lab tests Perform procedures Assist in surgery Provide patient education and counseling Make rounds in hospitals and nursing homes AND MORE All 50 states and the District of Columbia allow PAs to practice and prescribe medications
Boone Campus
Rural location University Hall on the ASU campus Mountain experience
Inquiry Based Learning (IBL)
Students work in faculty facilitated small groups Encounter a patient problem and attempt to solve it Identify what they need to learn to better understand the problem Engage in self-directed study to research information needed Return to the problem and apply what they have learned Self-assess to help develop effective independent learning Problems used are ill-structured messy problems like those the student will encounter in the real world. Requires the skills expected of learners when they encounter problems in their lives and careers (life-long learning) Learning process is supplemented by lecture and lab sessions to enhance learning Develops life-long learning skills
Sarah J. Garvick Educational Background
Undergraduate Degree in Exercise Science Internships in physical therapy, athletic training and cardiac rehab Graduate Degree in Kinesiology/Biomechanics Teaching Assistant, research lab work, coach Took PRC for PA school along with grad courses Graduate Degree in Physician Assistant Studies Clinical work in Orthopedics and Family Medicine, now faculty with WFSM
How easy is it to get a job?
VERY Opportunities are endless but you may need to be willing to work in a non-specific medical field, or in a rural area Residencies are available in Surgery, ER, Orthopedics, ENT, Neonatal, Hospital Medicine, and others