On Thursday, November 14, 2013, Dr. Helen Martin, program director for the developing physician assistant program at Lenoir-Rhyne University, spoke to Hickory Rotary Club. In 2008, Helen designed and developed the Keiser University Master of Science in Physician Assistant program in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Her experience and expertise will be a valuable asset for Lenoir-Rhyne University as the university proceeds through the complicated MPAS accreditation process.
As the program director for the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program at Lenoir Rhyne University, Dr. Martin will design and develop the program and take it through the accreditation process. The program is projected to begin in the summer of 2015, provided the Accreditation Review Commission on the Education for Physician Assistant grants provisional accreditation in March of 2015.
As explained by Dr. Martin, “the MPAS will be an interdisciplinary program that meets the accreditation standards of the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARCPA). The Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies is an intense study of patient care theory, science and practice, combining didactic, laboratory, and clinical study and experience.
“The first year is an intense study of basic sciences and clinically related didactic course work. The clinical year provides students with experience in emergency medicine, surgery, woman’s health (obstetrics and gynecology), pediatrics, psychiatry, family medicine, internal medicine, and one elective. Learner-centered activities will be used and include: independent and collaborative learning, experiential applications, case study analysis and problem-based instruction through simulations and model-based applications. Graduates will sit for the Physician Assistant National Certification Examination (PANCE) and eligible, upon successful completion of the PANCE, to be licensed and practice medicine under the supervision of a physician. The MPAS will integrate various strengths of the current LRU programs and educate students to be good stewards and service professionals for their community and the world.
Accreditation Process
“The university is required to submit a feasibility study 6 months prior to the (ARCPA) site visit. The feasibility study will be submitted in March 2014. The accreditation site visit will be September 29th and 30th 2014. The (ARCPA) Commission meets in March 2015 where provisional accreditation will be decided. The projected first class of physician assistants will begin in summer of 2015.”
You can view Dr. Martin’s Presentation by using this link. You can learn more and follow the accreditation process at www.lr.edu/graduate/physician-assistant. Contact Dr. Martin via e-mail at helen.martin@lr.edu.
