Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program Presentation presented at the PA Admissions Information Session on June 11, 2009.
2. Physician Assistants Physician Assistants (PAs) are health care professionals trained in the medical model, as are their physician supervisors, in nationally accredited educational programs. PAs are not independent clinicians; they are highly skilled professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. The PA’s ability for autonomous decision making and patient management contributes tremendously to the physician/PA team, thus ensuring the highest quality standards of patient care. PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse rural and urban populations and may perform educational, research, and administrative activities. “ GAPA website”
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4. Mission Statement The mission of the Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences Physician Assistant Program is to educate patient-centered medical providers of the highest quality who are leaders, life-long learners, possess an appreciation of ethical values and human diversity, and are provided a foundation to practice in every discipline of allopathic medicine. The Physician Assistant Program emphasizes evidence-based medicine, informatics, critical decision making, interdisciplinary teamwork, and continuous quality improvement.
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6. Profile of a Graduate The Physician Assistant graduate of the Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences will be able to: 1. Elicit an accurate and thorough medical history 2. Perform a complete and problem focused physical examination 3. Develop a diagnostic plan using medical informatics and evidence-based medicine 4. Initiate an individualized therapeutic management plan 5. Provide patient-centered verbal and written instructions 6. Accurately document medical records 7. Perform medical and surgical procedures consistent with a primary care physician assistant 8. Exhibit administrative, management, and research skills 9. Demonstrate a commitment to professionalism in all situations 10. Dedicate ones self to a process of lifelong learning
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8. Accreditation As a new program, we have received Provisional Accreditation through the Accreditation Review Commission on Education of the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
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12. Didactic Curriculum Spring 2010 Didactic Phase Credit Human Anatomy & Lab 4 Clinical Physiology/Pathophysiology 3 Physical Diagnosis & Lab 6 Principles of Pharmacology 3 Clinical Decision Making 1 1 Medical Communication 1 Medical Ethics 1
13. Didactic Curriculum Summer 2010 Didactic Phase Credit Clinical Medicine 1 with Lab 8 Pharmacotherapy 1 2 Diagnostic Interpretation 1 2 Behavioral Medicine 3 Concepts in Medical Science 4 Clinical Decision Making 2 1
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15. Didactic Curriculum Fall 2010 Didactic Phase Credit Clinical Medicine 2 with lab 8 Pharmacotherapy 2 2 Diagnostic Interpretation 2 2 Surgical Medicine 2 Electrocardiography 1 Emergency Medicine 3 Evidence Based Medicine 1 2 Clinical Decision Making 3 1
16. Didactic Curriculum Spring 2011 Didactic Phase Credit ACLS - Clinical Medicine 3 & Lab 3 Evidence Based Medicine 2 2 Concepts in Healthcare 2 Medical Nutrition 2 Human Sexuality 1
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18. Clinical Phase Credit Clinical Core Rotations (5 weeks each) 5 ea • Behavioral Medicine • Emergency Medicine • Family Practice • Internal Medicine Outpatient • Internal Medicine Inpatient • Orthopedic Medicine • Pediatric Medicine • General Surgery • Women’s Health Elective Clinical Rotation 1 & 2 (5 weeks each) 5 ea
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22. Two of Georgia’s oldest and finest institutions announced their “partnership” to enhance the future of healthcare delivery and education throughout the state The Center will leverage the demonstrated strengths of Piedmont Healthcare and Mercer University in the areas of clinical care, research and educational services to improve the quality of health professionals and the health of Georgians Piedmont Healthcare and Mercer University identified several areas of joint interest to include the establishment of a new physician assistant program.
33. Prerequisite Requirements Natural Science Requirements General Biology with Labs (2 courses) 8 cr Microbiology with Lab 4 cr Anatomy with Lab (or A&P 1 with Lab) 4 cr Physiology with Lab (or A&P 2 with Lab) 4 cr General Chemistry with Labs (2 courses) 8 cr Organic Chemistry with Lab 4 cr General Biochemistry 3 cr Only grades of C or higher are acceptable for all pre-requisite coursework Anatomy, physiology and microbiology must be completed within the last 10 years. Additional Course Requirements Intro or General Psychology 3 cr Developmental or Abnormal Psychology 3 cr English Composition (2 courses) 6 cr Statistics or Biostatistics 3 cr Candidates may strengthen their application by completing any of the following recommended courses: Cell Biology, Embryology, Endocrinology, Ethics, Genetics, Histology, Immunology, Neuroscience, Organic Chemistry II, and Speech
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35. Clinical Experience Requirements Clinical Experience of 1000 hours demonstrating direct patient care. The following are some accepted categories of experience: EMT / Paramedic Registered Nurse Licensed Practical Nurse Medical Assistant Physical Therapist Occupational Therapist Athletic Trainer Medical Corpsman Respiratory Therapist Pharmacist Hospice Volunteer Radiology Technician Phlebotomist Surgical Technician Nursing Assistant/Aide Emergency Room Technician Peace Corp Volunteer Physical Therapy Assistant Clinical Health Educator Dietician Psychologist Patient Care Technician
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39. Estimated Program Costs Please note that these fees are estimated and subject to change. Estimated Program Costs (per semester): Tuition $ 8,083.00 Tech Fee $ 100.00 Laptop/PDA $ 325.00 Recommended Text Books: Didactic Phase $ 2,200.00 Clinical Phase $ 500.00 One Time Fee: Equipment/Uniform $ 1,350.00 *Estimated Total Cost: $63,606.00, for the class entering in January 2010
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42. Meet the Program Team Director Brad Schwarz, M.S., PA-C Program Specialist Laura Baumgarten, LPN Academic Coordinator Patricia Kelly, MMSc, PA-C Associate Academic Coordinator Ami Robinson, MMSc, PA-C Didactic Faculty Angela Dunaway, Pharm.D., PA-C Academic Support Specialist Barbara Fleming Clinical Coordinator Nadja Vawryk-Button, MHS, PA-C Associate Clinical Coordinator Shalonda Pettis, MMSc, CPC, PA-C Clinical Support Specialist Mignon Young
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44. Meet the Program Team Student Affairs and Admissions Associate Dean Jim Bartling, Pharm.D. Associate Director Jordana Stephens Berry, MBA Admissions Coordinator Melva Lord Enrollment Associate Kendra Goosen Student Affairs Clerk Megan Springfield
45. Contact Us Student Affairs and Admissions Office Mercer University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences 3001 Mercer University Drive, PAC-121 Atlanta, GA 30341 (678) 547-6232 (678) 547-6063 (fax) Email: paprogram@mercer.edu
