Representatives from Georgia Regents University, Morehouse School of Medicine, Albany State University, and the United States Department of Defense recently met at the Pentagon to discuss partnering to create civilian Physician Assistant education programs for former service members.
“We hope that our efforts become an example for the nation,” said ASU President Everette J. Freeman. “By combining our resources and expertise, we have an opportunity to serve our nation’s heroes and produce better trained Physician Assistants for our city and state.”
The Department of Defense houses the Center for Physician Assistant Diversity, Cultural Competency, and Inter-Professional Education, a partnership between Morehouse School of Medicine and the Physician Assistant Education Association that aims to increase the workforce diversity in the PA profession for veterans, underrepresented minorities and disadvantaged candidates.
The Center’s initiatives include the establishment of satellite programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Advantages of a potential partnership include addressing the health provider shortage, especially to rural and underserved areas since research indicates that minority providers tend to serve minority communities 10 times more than their majority counterparts; and providing Albany State University the necessary experience and capital support for the development of its own Physician Assistant program.
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