This Catalog and Program Calendar
Applies to the Graduate Physician Assistant Program Class
The Graduate Physician Assistant Program exists to prepare professionally competent physician assistants who will use their skills to serve their communities in compassionate ministry.
To fulfill the mission statement the physician assistant program commits itself to:
Recruit qualified candidates for admission into the program.
Provide a high quality educational program, which meets Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) accreditation standards.
Provide adequate learning resources and support systems that assist students in meeting the academic requirements of the physician assistant program.
Integrate faith in learning in the life and thought of students.
Encourage students to develop life-long learning behaviors that prepare them for a career in medicine.
Engage in on-going review and evaluation of program effectiveness in preparing competent physician assistant graduates.
The chief aim of the Physician Assistant Program is to create an environment in which an individual can develop the professional skills of a physician assistant and demonstrate competency by successful completion of the national certifying examination for physician assistants. Specific operational objectives include:
Developing student skills required to obtain a comprehensive medical history and perform a complete physical examination for all patient populations in any setting.
Preparing students to recognize, by the presenting clinical picture, common diseases.
Developing student cognitive and problem solving skills allowing them to systematically move through the diagnostic process.
Preparing students to develop and implement management plans for common acute and chronic illnesses.
Preparing students to order and interpret common diagnostic studies.
Preparing students to perform routine diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Preparing students to assist at surgery.
Preparing students to counsel and educate patients.
Developing attitudes and behaviors in students consistent with life-long learning required for medical practice.
Assisting the student in his/her intellectual, social, and spiritual development.
Preparing students to successfully complete the NCCPA national certifying examination.
General Admission Requirements for Master's Degree Programs
(The entrance requirements and application procedure of the Graduate Physician Assistant Program supersedes the General Admission Requirements for Master's Degree Programs. Please follow the Graduate Physician Assistant Program Application Procedure specifically.)
Applicants must have earned a bachelor's degree from any regionally accredited institution at the time of matriculation into the graduate program. While any undergraduate major is acceptable, however, historically science majors have been the best prepared.
Applicants must successfully complete all of the following program prerequisites, regardless of the undergraduate degree or graduate degree.
Anatomy and Physiology |
8 semester hours |
Chemistry |
8 semester hours |
Microbiology with Lab |
4 semester hours |
General Psychology |
3 semester hours |
Human Growth & Development* |
3 semester hours |
*(Developmental Psychology—Birth through Adolescence)
Applicants are expected to have a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 on all undergraduate coursework. A GPA of 3.25 is felt to indicate sufficient academic ability to successfully complete the program.
Applicants must submit three (3) letters of recommendation. Acceptable sources include:
Applicants are required to complete the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
While evidence of clinical experience is not required for admission, it is highly recommended. In the opinion of the program faculty, past medical experience provides a framework for students to build upon and can facilitate the expansion of their fund of medical knowledge. Candidates are expected to be able to articulate to the Admissions Committee the role of a physician assistant. Information from the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the AAPA Web site, and practicing physician assistants are all excellent resources.
Physician Assistant education is a broad-based process requiring the acquisition of general knowledge in all fields of medicine and basic skills requisite for the practice of medicine regardless of specialty. The education of a PA also requires the development of judgment through patient care experiences that prepare individuals for appropriate decision-making in clinical practice.
It is the intent and practice of the Trevecca Nazarene University Physician Assistant Program to select applicants who have the ability to become highly competent PAs. As an accredited PA program, by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA), Trevecca adheres to the "Standards" promulgated by the ARC-PA. Within these guidelines, Trevecca's PA Program has the freedom and ultimate responsibility for the selection of students, the design, implementation, and evaluation of curriculum, evaluation of students, and determination of who should be awarded a degree. Admission and retention decisions are based not only on satisfactory academic achievement but also on non-academic factors, which serve to ensure that the candidate can complete the essential functions of the academic program required for graduation.
The PA Program has the responsibility to the public to assure that its graduates are fully competent PAs capable of fulfilling the Hippocratic duty "to benefit and do no harm." Thus, it is important that persons admitted to the PA Program possess the intelligence, integrity, compassion, humanitarian concern, and physical and emotional capacity necessary to practice medicine.
As a private Christian university affiliated with the Church of the Nazarene, Trevecca is open to any qualified student without regard of race, color, sex, age, creed, national or ethnic origin, or physical disability. Trevecca Nazarene University complies with all statutory and regulatory nondiscrimination requirements applicable to this institution in the administration of its educational policies and programs, scholarships and loan programs, equal opportunity employment practices, and athletic and other school-administered programs.
Technical standards as distinguished from academic standards refers to those physical, cognitive, and behavioral abilities required for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the PA curriculum and the development of professional attributes required of all students at graduation. The essential abilities required by the curriculum are in the following areas: motor, sensory, communication, intellectual (conceptual, integrative, and qualitative abilities for problem solving and diagnosis), and the behavioral and social aspects of the performance of a PA.
The student will be required to master relevant content in basic science and clinical courses at a level deemed appropriate by the faculty. These skills may be described as the ability to comprehend, memorize, analyze, and synthesize material. The student will be required to discern and comprehend dimensional and spatial relationships of structures and demonstrate reasoning and decision-making skills appropriate to the practice of medicine.
The student will be required to take medical histories, perform physical exams, and assess the health status of organ systems (for example, liver and spleen). The student will also be required to accurately assess laboratory and diagnostic studies (EKGs, x-rays, ultrasounds, etc.).
The student will be required to communicate effectively with patients, families, physicians and other members of the health care team. Students will need to assess all information, including verbal and non-verbal responses and to allow for appropriate, well-focused follow-up inquiry. This includes responding with empathetic listening to establish rapport with patients in a way that promotes openness on issues of concern and sensitivity to potential cultural differences.
The student will be required to accurately process and communicate information on the patient's status in a timely manner to the physician and other members of the health care team. The student will be required to present this information in a succinct yet comprehensive manner, and in settings in which time available is limited. Written or dictated patient assessments, prescriptions, etc., must be complete and accurate. Appropriate communication may also rely on the student's making a correct judgment in seeking consultation in a timely manner.
The student will be required to understand the basis and content of medical ethics. The student will be required to possess attributes that include compassion, empathy, altruism, integrity, responsibility, and tolerance. The student will be required to have emotional stability to function effectively under stress and to adapt to an environment that may change rapidly without warning and/or in unpredictable ways.
These technical standards of medical education identify the Trevecca University PA Program requirements for admission and retention of applicants and students, respectively.
The Trevecca Nazarene University Physician Assistant program participates in the Centralized Applications for Physician Assistant (CASPA). Students who wish to apply to the graduate physician assistant program must submit the following to CASPA
CASPA accepts applications beginning April 1st of each year. Applications must be received by CASPA no later than November 1st.
Applicants may communicate with the Program Secretary by any of the following methods:
Applicants who meet all of the admissions requirements are invited for a personal interview with the PA Admissions Committee. Interviews are conducted in January. All applicants will receive written notification of their application/interview status no later than February. The Admissions Committee will not pursue applications of individuals who do not meet admission requirements. The committee is composed of the full-time PA graduate faculty, and may include representatives from the Department of Science and Mathematics and a member from the community who is a practicing physician or physician assistant. Applicants are evaluated for their potential for high-level performance. Specific areas of interest to the committee include the applicant's knowledge of the PA role, moral and ethical integrity, motivation for pursuing PA education, adequacy of career and financial planning and coping strategies.
Interviewed applicants invited for personal interview will be notified of the Admission Committee's final decision by late February. Applicants selected for admission to the PA Program must verify their acceptance in writing to the PA program director and submit a $500.00 (non-refundable) deposit to the PA Program Office within ten (10) days of being notified of admission in order to hold their seat in class. This deposit will be applied towards the first semester's tuition.
Background Checks – All matriculants must submit to a background check by an outside agency.
Only students requesting transfer from another physician assistant program, accredited by The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) and offering a graduate degree will be considered (space available basis).
Students requesting transfer and advanced placement from other accredited Physician Assistant Programs:
Students successfully completing the PA curriculum receive the master of science-medicine degree from Trevecca Nazarene University. Graduates subsequently qualify to make application and sit for the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) national certifying examination.
Trevecca Nazarene University PA Students are expected to demonstrate professional behavior at all times while on clinical assignments. Unprofessional behavior may result in the following actions: A written letter of reprimand; the changing of a final rotation grade either by reduction in points, or the failure of a rotation; professional and/or academic probation; dismissal from the Program. These actions will be decided on a case by case basis by the Promotions Committee after careful study and review of any and all documentation provided to the Program.
The following affective objectives are provided as a guide for student professional behavior:
The affective objectives listed below are guidelines for student behavior in academic and clinical settings. Success in meeting these objectives will be assessed on a regular basis as the student proceeds through the curriculum.
The Physician Assistant student:
demonstrates cooperation with and mutual respect for peers.
Scholastic performance in the didactic and clinical phases will be reported by using the letters A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D, D- and F.
A = Consistently Outstanding
The student has demonstrated mastery of the course objectives. The student is well qualified for subsequent courses in the subject area and may be expected to perform well in such courses.
B = Exceeds Expectations for Satisfactory Performance—Occasionally Outstanding
The student has demonstrated a clear understanding of the course objectives. The student is prepared to take subsequent courses in this subject area and may be expected to perform adequately in such courses.
C = Satisfactory
The student has demonstrated a basic comprehension of the course objectives. The student is qualified to take subsequent courses in the subject area but may be expected to perform only at a minimally adequate level in such courses.
D = Marginal
The student has demonstrated only an elementary familiarity with the course objectives. The student is not technically qualified to take the next course in the subject area and is not expected to perform well in such a course.
F = Failure
The student has not demonstrated knowledge or understanding of any meaningful portion of the course objectives. The student is not qualified to take subsequent courses in this subject area.
Scholastic performance in the didactic phase is evaluated on a grading scale that is published in each course syllabus.
Scholastic performance in the didactic phase is evaluated on the following scale:
95-100 |
= A |
92-94 |
= A- |
89-91 |
= B+ |
86-88 |
= B |
83-85 |
= B- |
80-82 |
= C+ |
75-79 |
= C |
74 |
= C- |
70-73 |
= D |
67-69 |
= D- |
<67 |
= F |
A grade below 75 will require a corrective action plan for a failing grade.
Preceptor evaluation of 40 points is converted to a percentage and is weighted at 45% of the course grade. The following table gives the corresponding letter grade assigned from the 40 point preceptor evaluation:
Evaluation |
Percentage |
Grade |
40 |
100 |
A |
39 |
97.5 |
A |
38 |
95 |
A |
37 |
92.5 |
A- |
36 |
90 |
B+ |
35 |
87.5 |
B |
34 |
85 |
B- |
33 |
82.5 |
B- |
32 |
80 |
C+ |
31 |
77.5 |
C |
30 |
75 |
C |
29 |
72.5 |
D |
28 |
70 |
D |
27 |
67.5 |
F |
In the first three weeks of each rotation schedule, students complete a DXR patient simulation exercise and the grade assigned is weighted at 20% of the course grade.
During each six week rotation, students also complete 34 hours of continuing medical education using MedChallenger and the cumulative grade for these hours is weighted at 25% of the course grade.
Finally, 10% of the course grade involves meeting deadlines and completing all assignments and course requirements in a timely manner for each rotation.
Evaluation |
37 |
DxR |
82 |
MedChallenger |
98.2 |
Professionalism |
100 |
Course Grade |
92.6 |
Letter Grade |
A- |
Student success or failure in each course/rotation is determined by successful completion of the course/rotation objectives and/or subjective evaluations as determined by the program faculty.
Each student will provide evidence of the following immunizations and titers (required by our affiliated institutions) and a physical exam upon matriculation to the program. A second physical exam will be required before the clinical year. Records of the following will be maintained in the program office in locked files and available to the clinical coordinator/designee for communication to the clinical sites as requested.
Students and faculty are strongly encouraged to maintain health insurance. Many clinical sites will not accept a student for a clinical rotation if they do not have coverage. The medical environment is hazardous. Please protect yourself.
The Physician Assistant Program has assumed the cost of providing students with blanket medical liability insurance coverage through the Insurance Company of Pennsylvania. Through this policy, PA students are covered for liability related to their normal curriculum studies and assignments. This policy coverage is effective only during the scheduled time period for each assigned clinical rotation. Limits of professional liability are $1,000,000/$3,000,000. Overseas rotations necessitate that students procure their own personal medical liability insurance coverage if required by the preceptor and/or hospital. Final approval of an overseas rotation is contingent upon receipt of documentation by the program office verifying medical liability insurance coverage or release of liability by the preceptor and/or hospital.
The Promotions Committee consists of the following members: program director (chair), medical director, director of didactic education, director of clinical education, PA department faculty members, and any individual(s) deemed appropriate by the program director.
The Promotions Committee is charged with ensuring that each individual graduating from the Physician Assistant Program at Trevecca Nazarene University has the skills, knowledge, and judgment to assume the responsibilities of a physician assistant. It is the prerogative of the Promotions Committee to prohibit any student from continuing or from further enrollment in the PA Program if, in the collective judgment of the Promotions Committee, the student has not demonstrated adequate academic performance, clinical competence, or expected professional and behavioral standards.
Students who are experiencing academic difficulty should discuss any problems with their instructor or PA Program faculty.
The Promotions Committee reserves the right to use its professional judgments to assess a student's overall suitability to practice as a physician assistant. Areas the committee is interested in include the following:
Compliance with University/PA Program policy and procedure; Professional behavior (adherence to the AAPA "Code of Ethics for Physician Assistants"); Attitude; Personal integrity; Academic honesty, and support of University and PA Program mission and goals. To perform its duties, the Promotions Committee will depend on the cooperation, advice, and judgment of the faculty, students, and administration.
All required courses or clinical rotations must be completed with a final course grade of "C" or better.
Any student earning a final course or clinical rotation grade of "C minus" or less will have his/her academic progress reviewed by the Promotions Committee.
The Promotions Committee may place any student earning a final course or clinical rotation grade of "C minus" or less on academic probation.
Any student earning a final course or clinical rotation grade of "C minus" or less in any subsequent course or clinical rotation while on academic probation is subject to dismissal from the PA Program.
Any student who does not satisfactorily complete their corrective action plan is subject to dismissal from the PA Program.
Students will be limited to two corrective action plans over the entire course of the program. Any student exceeding these restrictions is subject to dismissal from the PA Program.
Students will be eligible for Candidacy status upon completion of 67 of the 116 hours (completion of the didactic phase of the program). The student must be in good academic standing (not on academic probation) and demonstrate appropriate professional behavior to be recommended by the promotions committee for candidacy status.
The Program Office will coordinate academic registration of PA students.
Completing academic and financial registration is the student's responsibility. Students are expected to make all necessary arrangements with the Financial Aid office. Students assigned to an out-of-town rotation, must make all arrangements before they leave. Students should always check with the Financial Aid Office in advance, however, to avoid any delays in assignment of financial aid, etc.
Student mailboxes have been installed in the PA classrooms to facilitate communication between the Program Office and students. Communication from the Program Office will be deposited in each student's box. The Program Office must be kept informed of a student's current mailing and e-mail addresses. Students are also expected to check their e-mail daily for communication from the Program Office.
During each academic semester correspondence from other departments on campus (Academic Affairs Office, Business Office, Financial Aid, and Academic Records) is sent directly to students. It will not come through the Program Office. It is critical that students keep these offices notified of their current mailing address.
The clinical phase can present special problems. Students must have a mailing address where they can receive mail during the clinical phase. It is recommended that students have a permanent address that they can use regardless of where they are on rotations. It is the student's responsibility to keep the Program Office, and all other offices on campus notified of their current mailing address and any changes. Students must also have a phone number where they can be reached at all times. This requirement is especially critical during the clinical phase.
Students are discouraged from employment while in the program. Working often interferes with learning opportunities. Asking for time off or for adjustments to the Program schedule demonstrates a lack of motivation and interest to everyone and may jeopardize the quality of your educational experience.
The Program Director or his/her designee must approve any adjustment of student schedules and hours.
To earn the Master of Science-Medicine degree from Trevecca Nazarene University, PA students must accomplish all of the following:
Successfully complete all 116 hours of the professional curriculum earning a GPA of 2.50 or better.
Demonstrate competence in evaluating diagnostic studies through successful completion of a ten (10) station clinical skills examination. Studies include but are not limited to diagnostic imaging, laboratory data and ECG. A score of 75% or better is required to pass.
Demonstrate competence in patient evaluation skills through successful completion of an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). A score of 75% or better is required to pass.
Demonstrate a minimum fund of medical knowledge through successful completion of the clinical year ePackRat examination. A score within 10% of the national mean is required to pass.
Receive a satisfactory evaluation from the Promotions Committee that provides a professional assessment of the student's overall suitability to practice as a physician assistant.
Comply with the mission and policies of Trevecca Nazarene University and the Physician Assistant Graduate Program.
Students who are unable to complete the degree requirements in the regular 27 months of the program will have twelve (12) months after the program's regular graduation date to complete the requirements. Any exceptions to this will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Program Director, Chair of the Division of Natural and Applied Science and Dean of the School of Arts & Sciences.
The Curriculum Committee consists of the core Program faculty as appointed by the Program Director. It is the responsibility of this committee to develop, review and approve all course outcomes and learning objectives. This committee will work with Course Instructors in syllabi development. The Curriculum Committee will evaluate course content to assure that it meets the stated learning outcomes and objectives.
The curriculum is 27 months in duration, is completed in seven semesters and requires full-time student participation. The curriculum is divided into two phases: Didactic and Clinical.
Didactic Phase consists of 15 months of basic medical science and clinical medicine courses.
Clinical Phase: Consist of 12 months of required and elective rotations of six weeks duration each and completed in private physician offices, hospitals, and clinics. It is expected that students accepting admission to the PA Program will accept rotation assignments where and when they are available. Reliable transportation is required. All expenses related to travel; meals, and lodging during rotations are the responsibility of the student. Financial planning in this area is important.
Summer Semester I |
|
||||||
PAS |
Medical Ethics |
(2) |
|||||
PAS |
Research Methods and Designs in Medicine |
(4) |
|||||
PAS |
Introduction to the Profession |
(2) |
|||||
PAS |
Clinical Human Physiology |
(4) |
|||||
PAS |
Applied Anatomy |
(4) |
|||||
Total |
|
16 |
|||||
Fall Semester |
|
||||||
PAS |
Clinical Medicine I |
(4) |
|||||
PAS |
Introduction to Psychiatry |
(3) |
|||||
PAS |
Medical Communications |
(2) |
|||||
PAS |
Laboratory Medicine |
(4) |
|||||
PAS |
5180 |
Physical Assessment |
(4) |
||||
Total |
17 |
||||||
Spring Semester |
|
||||||
PAS |
Clinical Procedures |
(2) |
|||||
PAS |
Introduction to ECG and X-ray Interpretation |
(2) |
|||||
PAS |
Medical Spanish |
(1) |
|||||
PAS |
Clinical Medicine II |
(4) |
|||||
PAS |
Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics I |
(4) |
|||||
PAS |
Introduction to Surgery |
(3) |
|||||
Total |
16 |
||||||
Summer Semester II |
|
||||||
PAS |
Clinical Pharmacotherapeutics II |
(4) |
|||||
PAS |
Introduction to Pediatrics |
(3) |
|||||
PAS |
Introduction to Obstetrics and Gynecology |
(3) |
|||||
PAS |
Clinical Medicine III |
(4) |
|||||
PAS |
Introduction to Emergency Medicine |
(3) |
|||||
PAS |
Clinical Practicum II |
(1) |
|||||
Total |
18 |
||||||
Clinical Phase |
|
||||||
All clinical rotations are six weeks in duration with a forty-hour per week minimum. |
|||||||
PAS |
Research Seminar |
(1) |
|||||
PAS |
Clinical Rotations (block registration) |
(x) |
|||||
PAS |
Primary Care I |
(6) |
|||||
PAS |
Primary Care II |
(6) |
|||||
PAS |
Emergency Medicine |
(6) |
|||||
PAS |
Internal Medicine |
(6) |
|||||
PAS |
Pediatrics |
(6) |
|||||
PAS |
Surgery |
(6) |
|||||
PAS |
Psychiatry |
(6) |
|||||
PAS |
6xxx |
Elective |
(6) |
||||
Total |
49 |
||||||
Elective rotations are six weeks in duration and are available in a variety of medical and surgical disciplines.
Students who do not earn a passing grade on a course exam are eligible to remediate that exam. Remediation is limited to 50% of the total number of exams for the course. Exclusions from remediation are the final exam, quizzes, cases, projects reports, etc. Only one attempt at remediation is allowed for any given exam. The remediation exercise is intended to provide the student an opportunity to re-evaluate their approach and thought processes related to a given question and/or material. The Promotions Committee in consultation with the course instructor will develop corrective action. A grade of (S)atisfactory or (U)nsatisfactory will be earned for the remediation work. In the event of an (S) grade, the grade for that exam will be raised to the "C" cutoff. In the event of a (U) grade is earned, the original exam grade will stand.
Students who do not earn a passing grade on the end of the rotation exam must remediate that exam to progress. Students required to do remediation will be awarded a grade of (I)ncomplete pending successful completion of their remediation. The Promotions Committee in consultation with the Director of Clinical Education will develop remediation plans. Acceptable remediation MUST be submitted within 4 weeks or the final grade becomes an "F" (per University policy). The Director of Clinical Education or his/her designee will review the remediation submitted for content, interpretation of the medical literature and completeness. If the remediation is acceptable, the grade of "C" will be awarded and averaged with the other components of the grading system and a final grade will be awarded. If it is not acceptable, the student will have failed the remediation. The original grade will be assigned resulting in failure of the rotation. In this event, the Promotions Committee will develop a corrective action plan. Students may remediate no more than three end-of-rotation exams. After failing the third exam, the student will be placed on academic probation. Failing another exam while on academic probation may result in dismissal from the PA Program.
Students who are experiencing academic difficulty should discuss any problems with their instructor or PA Program faculty.
In compliance with the US Department of Veterans Affairs:
"Students receiving US Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits who fail to complete the corrective action plan will result in termination of veterans benefits and are subject to dismissal from the PA Program. Veterans benefits will not be re-certified until the student returns to satisfactory academic status."
Every graduate student at Trevecca Nazarene University has the right to:
Respect as an individual and to forthright, friendly, tactful, and helpful treatment; the right to ask sincere questions and receive appropriate answers.
Expect that the course materials reflect the current state of learning in the field.
Information printed in a syllabus as to course objectives, requirements, evaluation procedures, and attendance policy.
Be informed by the instructor at regular intervals as to individual progress in courses.
Expect assignments back within a reasonable period of time, including corrections and criticisms of student work either orally or in writing.
Personal consultation with instructor or advisor.
Designed to prepare the student entering a health care field to utilize personal, social, moral and spiritual values in the conduct of his/her future professional life.
This course introduces physician assistant students to the basic principles of experimental design in medicine. Development of a research design is required.
This course introduces physician assistant students to the historical perspectives of the profession as well as the PA role in health care delivery, political and legal factors affecting PA practice, and inter-professional issues.
This advanced course in human physiology is designed for physician assistants. It details the principles that are necessary for understanding the overall, integrated physiologic functions of the human. Each organ system organization under normal conditions will be addressed using the cellular knowledge of function and control mechanisms. Requires a prior course in human physiology. Courses in animal physiology are considered on an individual basis.
This Course develops skills in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that a physician assistant will use in clinical practice. Emphasis is placed on the indications, contra-indications, and risks/side-effects as well as technical proficiency.
This advanced course in human anatomy is designed to relate anatomical structures to function and clinical application. Lab sessions with prospected cadavers are included.
Designed to acquaint the student with the diagnostic process, this course presents the etiology, pathophysiology, clinical findings, laboratory findings, diagnostic criteria and current treatment of the more common diseases affecting the human organism.
Designed to provide students a basic understanding of human growth and development as it relates to psychosocial aspects of the life span. Emphasis is given to common psychiatric disorders, their diagnosis, treatment, and influence on the care of clients during other medical disorders.
This course introduces physician assistant students to the techniques of medical interviewing and recording and presentation of clinical information. Aspects of patient education and counseling are covered.
This course introduces physician assistant students to the fundamentals of electrocardiography and clinical radiology and prepares them to discriminate between normal, variations of normal, and abnormal ECG and radiographic studies.
This course prepares physician assistant students to obtain specimens for and interpret results of selected clinical chemistry and microbiology studies. Emphasis is placed on learning normal values as well as understanding the implications of abnormal results.
This course introduces physician assistant students to medical Spanish and to Hispanic culture. By providing instruction in taking a health history, conducting a physical exam, and educating the Spanish speaking patients in their language and their cultural context, the student also learns how this improves their access to health care.
This course is designed to introduce PA students to concepts related to Pharmacology, i.e., the properties, mechanisms of action and effects of drugs. Content areas include the mechanisms of basic chemical reactions in the body, external chemical regulation of physiologic pathways and clinical interventions with biological systems at the cellular level.
This course is designed to acquaint physician assistant students with the knowledge and skills required to manage surgical diseases. Emphasis is placed on differentiating between surgical and non-surgical conditions.
This course is designed to develop physical examination skills. Techniques are presented for performing physical assessment of all organ systems. Physical exams are performed on a variety of patients under faculty supervision.
This course prepares the physician assistant student to recognize and manage common clinical problems associated with the pediatric patient.
This course prepares the physician assistant student to assess normal and abnormal clinical situations involving the female genital tract, including pregnancy and delivery.
This course prepares the physician assistant student to diagnose and manage medical and surgical emergencies due to illness or trauma. Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) training and certification are included.
To integrate knowledge and newly acquired skills related to interviewing and physical assessment with practical application and documentation
This seminar is designed for physician assistant students to develop their ability to formulate relevant clinical questions and to use the medical literature to elucidate an answer to those questions. The student will prepare a written review of the medical literature that will emphasize how clinical research has influenced new directives in patient care. The project will culminate in an oral presentation to the students and faculty of the physician assistant program.
This clinical practicum is designed for physician assistant students to develop the ability to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine, improve data collection, refine interpretive and communication skills, and gain confidence in the performance of essential examination techniques within the clinical setting.
This clinical practicum based in a hospital emergency room provides physician assistant students the opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop the skills necessary to recognize and manage patients presenting with trauma and or other life threatening/emergent problems.
This clinical practicum provides physician assistant students an opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop the skills necessary to evaluate and manage patients with internal medicine problems.
This clinical practicum based in a pediatric office or clinic setting provides the physician assistant student an opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop the skills necessary to evaluate and manage clinical problems associated with pediatric patients.
This clinical practicum provides the physician assistant student an opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop skills necessary to differentiate surgical from non-surgical problems and appropriately manage or refer patients presenting with surgical problems.
This clinical practicum provides the physician assistant student an opportunity to link basic medical science knowledge to clinical medicine and develop the skills necessary to recognize and manage common mental health disorders.
Primary Care |
Cardiovascular Surgery |
Surgery |
Geriatrics |
Obstetrics & Gynecology |
Sports Medicine |
Emergency Medicine |
Dermatology |
Otorhinolaryngology |
Psychiatry |
Pediatrics |
Orthopedics |
Internal Medicine |
Cardiology |
Ophthalmology |
Radiology |
Academic Medicine |
Oncology |
G. MICHAEL MOREDOCK, Chair, Division of Natural and Applied Sciences, Director, Physician Assistant Program, Professor, Physician Assistant Program—
B.S., Indiana University, 1970; M.D., Indiana University, 1974.
LOIS E. WOLFGANG, Director of Didactic Education, Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Program,—
B.S.N., Roberts Wesleyan College, 1963; M.H.S., Governor's State University, 1978.
LARRY E. GERDOM, Associate Professor, Physician Assistant Program—
B.S., Bob Jones University, 1976; M.S., Miami University, 1979; Ph.D., University of Iowa, 1983; MSPAS, University of South Alabama, 1998.
R. DENNIS ANDERSON, Clinical Coordinator, Assistant Professor, Physician Assistant Program—
BME., Sam Houston State University, 1971; MA Sam Houston State University, 1978; BS in PA Studies, Baylor College of Medicine, 1983: MS in Advanced PA Studies, Arizona School of Health Sciences, 2005.
ILIANA J. CARPENTER, Instructor, Physician Assistant Program—
B.S., University of Texas Medical Branch 1994; MPAS, University of Nebraska, 1999
WAYNE WELLS, Medical Director, Physician Assistant Program—
B.S. University of Florida, 1972; M.D. Autonomous University of Guadalajara, 1977; Board Certified in Family Practice, 1985-2005.
KATRINA GILL, Instructor, Physician Assistant Program—
B.S. University of Tennessee, 1995; MSM, Trevecca Nazarene University, 20001
JOSEPH GIGANTE, Instructor, Physician Assistant Program—
B.A., Brooklyn College, 1984; M.D. State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1988.
CAROLYN C. THOMPSON, Instructor, Physician Assistant Program—
BA, University of Tennessee, 1988; MD, University of Tennessee, 1993
DONNA LYNCH, Instructor, Physician Assistant Program—
PA-C/BS, Trevecca Nazarene University, 1997; MPAS, University of Nebraska, 2003
PAUL E. TURNER, Instructor, Physician Assistant Program—
B.S., Auburn University; 1975; M.A., University of Southern Mississippi, 1978; Ph.D., University of Southern Mississippi, 1980.