The spring semester started with much to celebrate. All 31 students from the Class of 2023 successfully navigated the first year of PA education and began their clinical training in January. All 33 individuals who accepted a position in the program this past fall started their training in January as well, and all successfully navigated the first semester and have begun the summer semester.
We have welcomed two new individuals to the Department. Garrett Jackson joined the department in April. As the department’s admin staff member, he works with faculty and me to help make the department a success. Meanwhile, Donna Murphy, who had worked in this capacity, moved into another role. Donna is now the clinical education coordinator working closely with Kimberly Cook, the director of clinical education. The second newest member in the department is Crystal Powell.
Crystal began her MSU teaching career on June 1, 2023, as an assistant professor, on tenure-track with a 12-month appointment. Crystal graduated from the MSU PA program in December of 2005. Since graduation, she has practiced in the local area for over 15 years, primarily in family medicine. Not only does Crystal have extensive family medicine experience, but she also has PA program experience as well. Crystal will be involved in both the didactic and clinical phases of the program, and she is a member of the AAPA, MOAPA, and the PA Education Association.
The on-going tax-deductible Bridging the Rural/Underserved Gap campaign was established fall 2021 to help defer housing costs for clinical students who are assigned to a rural underserved area, and who are in financial need. The program has since managed to award funds as they have come in, which reflects student financial need. This past March, this campaign was promoted on campus as part of MSU’s Giving Day and resulted in $425 being raised during the two-day event. Since the campaign is on-going and there is a great need, please consider contributing your tax-fee dollars to this worthy campaign by selecting the “donate” tab found on the link provided.
Catch up on additional PAS Department & Program news below:
- Trivia Bowl 2023
- AAPA 2023 Recap
- MSU Alum and Current Students at AAPA
- AAPA House of Delegates
- Spring Faculty & Staff Updates
- Dr. Canales speaking to Mercy Health Science Academy
- 100% PANCE PASS Rate for the Class of 2022
If you missed the last PAS newsletter, you can view it here: Fall 2022 Newsletter