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Mission, Goals, and Program Competencies

Cohort Begins Fall | Credits 125 | 28 months | In-person, full timeÌý

PA Medicine History

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø and PA Medicine EducationÌý

To better address the healthcare needs of underserved communities in Palm ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø County, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø has strategically developed undergraduate medical programs. These programs are meticulously designed to equip students with the foundational knowledge and skills to excel in advanced medical studies. In its commitment to enhancing local healthcare services, PBA is broadening its educational offerings by introducing graduate degrees in nursing and pharmacy and the newly added Physician Associate Medicine. This expansion increases PBA’s capacity to contribute to the medical field and offers students a broader spectrum of opportunities to serve diverse healthcare needs.Ìý

Admission into these programs is competitive, with a prerequisite for candidates to possess substantial healthcare experience. This requirement ensures that students are well-prepared for PA education’s demanding and immersive nature, which is known for its intensive focus and rapid pace.Ìý

Palm ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Atlantic takes great pride in this initiative and extends its gratitude to the visionary leaders who have been instrumental in its inception. Phil Tobin, Kara Valentine, Martin Clinard, Regan Ciciclik, Aaron Bishop, Justin Minnerly and Shawn McPartland are esteemed pioneers whose contributions lay the groundwork for a lasting legacy in Physician Associate education at PBA. Their contributions promise a future where the university plays a pivotal role in shaping compassionate and skilled healthcare professionals.Ìý

The PA Medicine Role in HealthcareÌý

Today, Physician Associates (PAs) are at the forefront of the medical field, practicing across all areas of medicine and spearheading initiatives in community health centers. They are pivotal in shaping healthcare policy, driving transformation through innovative practices and research, and leading academic discourse in medical education. In recognition of this evolving landscape, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, in 2021, fortified its esteemed legacy of cultivating medical professionals by launching the Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Medicine program within the School of Health Professions. This program is designed to empower the next generation of healthcare leaders with the knowledge, skills, and vision to continue advancing the field of medicine.Ìý

A Unique Educational ExperienceÌý

The innovative structure of the 27-month curriculum, combined with a wealth of clinical experiences, interdisciplinary collaboration with peers from other health disciplines, and full access to the resources at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, culminates in a genuinely unparalleled educational journey. The PBA School of Health Professions is delighted to present its Master of Medical Science in Physician Associate Medicine, welcoming aspiring students from across the United States who are keen to make a significant contribution to the future of healthcare. Each year, the program aims to foster a diverse cohort of 56 students laying the foundation for a robust and dynamic learning environment.Ìý

Mission

The Mission of PA Medicine is to develop highly qualified PAs that embrace servant leadership and provide culturally competent care.

PA Program Goals

For our graduates to obtain this mission, we look to: Ìý

Program Goal #1

Recruit, support, and retain highly qualified students.

Data

This will be determined once the program receives results.Ìý

Program Goal #2

Provide curriculum and experiences that create competent entry-level PAs.
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Data

This will be determined once the program receives results. Ìý

Program Goal #3

Equip students to provide culturally competent care within various patient populations

Data

This will be determined once the program receives results.Ìý

Program Goal #4

Provide opportunities to serve the community, demonstrating leadership and professionalism.

Data

This will be determined once the program receives results.

Program Competencies (A3.12g)

The competencies of PA Medicine are grounded in the program’s mission and goals and align with the Physician Assistant Competencies, which were collaboratively developed by the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), the PAEA, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

These competencies serve as a foundation for curriculum development and are used to evaluate the program’s effectiveness and the success of its graduates. Upon completing the PA Medicine program, graduates are expected to have mastered the following competencies:

 

PROGRAM COMPETENCIES ÌýÌý
Program Competency ARC-PA B4.03 Domain(s)
Competency 1: Demonstrate the acquisition of medical knowledge required to practice as an entry-level PA. Medical Knowledge
Competency 2: Gather a history and perform a physical examination. Clinical & Technical Skills
Competency 3: Prioritize a differential diagnosis following a clinical encounter. Clinical Reasoning & Problem-Solving Abilities
Competency 4: Recommend and interpret common diagnostic and screening tests. Clinical Reasoning & Problem-Solving Abilities; Clinical & Technical Skills
Competency 5: Formulate appropriate clinical management plans. Clinical Reasoning & Problem-Solving Abilities; Clinical & Technical Skills
Competency 6: Report and communicate clinical information effectively in an organized manner. Interpersonal Skills
Competency 7: Provide appropriate patient education in a clinical encounter. Interpersonal Skills
Competency 8: Utilize evidence-based clinical reasoning and problem-solving in patient care. Clinical Reasoning & Problem-Solving Abilities
Competency 9: Provide appropriate referral to other members of an interprofessional team. Interpersonal Skills
Competency 10: Perform general skills/procedures required of an entry-level PA. Clinical & Technical Skills
Competency 11: Provide culturally competent care as an entry-level PA. Interpersonal Skills; Professional Behaviors
Competency 12: Demonstrate professionalism required to practice as an entry-level PA. Professional Behaviors

 

 

Accreditation (A3.12a, D1.02c)

Anticipating ARC-PA approval, PBA will begin interviewing for the inaugural class with the matriculation of the first class on October 1, 2025.Ìý

ºÚÁϳԹÏÍøÌýhas applied for Accreditation – Provisional from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).ÌýTheÌýPA ProgramÌýanticipates matriculating its first class inÌýOctober 2025, pending achieving Accreditation – Provisional status at theÌýJune 2025.ÌýARC-PA meeting. Accreditation – Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PAÌýStandardsÌýor when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with theÌýStandardsÌýas it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students.
In the event that the ºÚÁϳԹÏ꿉۪s PA Medicine Program does not achieve Accreditation-Provisional status as planned, selected students will not matriculate and will receive a full refund of deposits.