It’s National Physician Assistants Week

Each year, a week in October is set aside to recognize the physician assistant profession and highlight its contributions to the medical field. The first PA week was celebrated beginning Oct. 6, 1987, on the 20-year anniversary of the first graduating PA class from Duke University.

PAs are medical professionals who diagnose patients, help to create and manage treatment plans, prescribe medicines and serve as primary care providers for many people. They can work in many medical settings, including hospitals, clinics, schools and urgent care centers. They can also specialize in areas such as emergency medicine, primary care and pediatrics.

The College of Allied Health Sciences at Augusta University offers the Master of Physician Assistant Program, which is ranked third in the nation out of 255 programs across the country.

The MPA program received its accreditation in 1973, making it one of the oldest PA programs in the South. Graduates of the program pass the national certification exam the first time they take it at a higher rate than the national average.

In celebration of National PA week, the PA department hosted a luncheon for the PA students, graduates and Augusta University PAs.