Physician Assistant Program Transitions to Pharmacy Hall
The (UMSOP) has welcomed the to Pharmacy Hall as part of the program鈥檚 transition to the 91大神, Baltimore (UMB.)
Students in the Physician Assistant Program have transitioned to Pharmacy Hall, where they use classrooms, study and lounge space, lockers, and a clinical examination suite.
The PA Program is a 27-year legacy program, first accredited with Anne Arundel Community College (AACC) in 1996 and graduating its first cohort in 1998. PA accreditation standards now require the sponsoring institution to award a master鈥檚 degree as the terminal degree of the profession. As a community college, AACC does not grant master鈥檚 degrees, so it partnered with the to transition and ultimately shift the PA Program sponsorship to UMB.
The Graduate School assumed sponsorship of the program Jan. 1, 2020, while providing a 鈥渢each-out鈥� of the last UMB/AACC dually enrolled PA students under a collaborative agreement. When this agreement ends June 30, 2022, the name of the program will change to the 91大神 Graduate School Physician Assistant Program.
鈥淚n the fall of 2021, the PA Program began its transition to UMB and reached out to the School of Pharmacy leadership with space needs,鈥� said UMSOP Dean . 鈥淚n Pharmacy Hall, the program is making use of classrooms, study and lounge space, lockers, and our Objective Structured Clinical Examination Suite. In addition, we will be sharing a director of simulation position, which will provide interprofessional education opportunities between PA and pharmacy students.鈥�
The PA Program needed space to house its rigorous two-year professional program that would provide ample room for its current annual cohort size of 40, with room to grow to 60 students.
鈥淲e spent close to three years cultivating an interested partner who shared our vision for the physical space,鈥� said , assistant dean for physician assistant education, associate professor, and program director for the UMB/AACC Physician Assistant Program.
鈥淭he PA Program and Graduate School are immensely grateful for such a generous offering in Pharmacy Hall, one of the most beautiful, state-of-the-art facilities on campus,鈥� Hendrix said. 鈥淭he School of Pharmacy leadership, faculty, and staff have been so warm and inviting and have moved mountains to make this plan a reality.鈥�
The PA Program is a 25-month, 116-credit master鈥檚 degree program. Students are eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam upon completion of 鈥媋ll required coursework. The program supports students in becoming competent, ethical, and compassionate health care providers who are ready to fulfill the roles and duties of primary care physician assistants.
