Inaugural class of Physician Assistant students graduates

Friday, October 20, 2023

Media Contact: Sara Plummer | Communications Coordinator | 918-561-1282 | sara.plummer@okstate.edu

The Physician Assistant Program class of 2023 at Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences has gone through a lot of firsts.

They were the first accepted to the newest academic program at OSU-CHS, first to take part in a PA white coat ceremony, first to learn from and train with new PA curriculum, and the first to gain real-world experience with medical preceptors during their rotations. 

And now they’re the first PA students from OSU-CHS to walk across a graduation stage to be hooded and handed a diploma.

“I am so excited to graduate. I really can’t believe it’s here,” said Aaron Abraham, the first PA class president, before the commencement ceremony. “It definitely feels special being in the first class.”

A physician assistant (PA) is a health care professional who can diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans and prescribe medications after completing thousands of hours of medical training. 

PAs also practice in every medical setting and specialty, which is especially important in Oklahoma where all 77 counties are either entirely or partially considered a primary care Health Professional Shortage Area, according to the Rural Health Information Hub.

“The mission of the PA program mirrors that of OSU-CHS, which is to increase access in rural and underserved communities in Oklahoma. With a collaborating physician, PAs often serve as patients’ primary care providers, especially in rural Oklahoma,” said Amy Harrison, PA program director and clinical assistant professor. 

Kassidy DesRoche, another inaugural class graduate, said she wanted to be a PA because it focuses on a team-based approach to medicine and allows for adaptability once in the workforce.

“The flexibility of a PA gives me the confidence that, as patients’ and communities’ health care needs change over the years, I would have the versatility to change into different specialties to best accommodate those communities and patients within Oklahoma,” DesRoche said. 

The 28-month PA program at OSU-CHS consists of 13 months of education and training in classrooms and labs on campus and then 15 months of clinical rotations across Oklahoma.

Harrison said the PA program at OSU-CHS is unique because of the collaborative nature of the programs across campus.

“Our students train with other health care students such as osteopathic medicine and athletic training students during their classroom education as well as during their clinical experiences,” she said. “Our goal from the beginning was to create interprofessional relationships as students that will eventually cultivate partnership in practice. I’m excited to see PA graduates join practices with their D.O. colleagues to improve access to health care in Oklahoma.”

That collaborative environment was one of the reasons DesRoche chose the brand-new PA program.

“I’m so grateful and proud to have been a part of the inaugural Physician Assistant class at OSU-CHS. From the first day of classes, all the faculty and staff on campus made us feel welcome,” she said. “Having the opportunity to take some of the same medical courses alongside future doctors of osteopathic medicine was definitely a contributing factor in my decision.”

Being first isn’t always easy. Harrison said the PA faculty, staff and students faced challenges as they navigated PA education for the first time, and collaboration between faculty and students was critical to the program’s development.

“We have had a wonderful support system here at OSU-CHS, which we can attribute to our success. The faculty and I have really enjoyed getting to know the students as we watched them grow and mature into PAs ready for practice,” she said. “The first class is especially near and dear to our hearts since they endured the challenges of a new program. We relied on them to provide feedback, which has guided the evolution of the curriculum over the last few years.”

After earning a master’s degree from OSU-CHS’ the School of Biomedical Sciences, Abraham said he set his sights on being in the inaugural PA class because he had first-hand experience with the amazing faculty, staff and students on campus.

“It was sometimes scary, sometimes exciting, but when I have a moment and step back and reflect on the journey, it always feels special. I have learned so much these past few years. Medical knowledge of course, but also about myself,” Abraham said. “PA school is uniquely challenging, and I have more confidence in myself having made it through. I have also made some amazing life-long friends that I’m very thankful for.”