Charting New Paths
Initial Cohort of Physician Assistant Students Experience a Master of Medical Science Program Done the Austin College Way
By Laura J. Veach
Photo by Kendall Katusak '22
The initial cohort of the Austin College Master of Medical Science-Physician Assistant (PA) program arrived at the College’s Health Campus on June 3, 2024. Simply securing a place in the program was an accomplishment, with over 1,200 applications received for the 34 openings. In her comments welcoming the students, Dr. Diana Noller, Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences and Founding Director of the program, said, “Today marks the beginning of Austin College’s mission to train talented graduate students who have the heart to serve others, guiding their transformation into PAs who practice with excellence and make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.”
The 13,000 square foot Austin College Health Campus facility was designed exclusively for the physician assistant program, with simulated inpatient and outpatient rooms to facilitate mock patient encounters and state-of-the-art teaching tools, including holographic anatomy software and Anatomage tables, which allow students to interact with the human body virtually. “The Anatomage table is an innovative medical education tool. This technology not only saves us countless hours of study, but also enhances our learning experience by offering high-resolution, 3D anatomical structures and dynamic visualizations of the body’s physiology. It has proven to be an unparalleled resource in deepening my understanding of the human body,” said student Shania Ford.
The faculty of the Health Campus are also making their mark, both on campus and in their field. The PA faculty are actively contributing to the PA profession through peer-reviewed publications and national presentations. Noller explained, “We have had four faculty members contribute to peer-reviewed publications on topics including race-conscious admissions practices, promoting tolerant listening skills to enhance patient-centered care, and supporting diversity through best practices in technical standards.” She also noted that faculty and staff have planned volunteer outings in the community in a demonstration of the program’s core value of engagement. They kicked off National PA Week in October by volunteering to pack groceries at Masterkey Ministries, a local food bank.
In addition to regular courses with physician assistant faculty, the students have heard lectures by faculty in other departments, including Dr. Saritha Bangara, Associate Professor of Public Health & Public Health Department Chair; Dr. Huy Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Dr. Beth Gill, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty; and Dr. Mathias Akuoko, Associate Professor of Public Health. Alumni, too, have made their contributions. William Roberts ’73, Dr. Paul Putman ’78, and Rupak Dhoot ’13, among others, have also shared their perspectives with the students. These content experts have discussed topics from microbiology to sociocultural influences on health care. “The opportunity to learn from expert guest speakers in the medical field, particularly alumni from Austin College, offers invaluable insights into both the academic journey and real-world applications of health care knowledge,” said Kathryn Woodruff, member of the cohort. “Alumni bring a unique perspective, share professional wisdom, and inspire current students to envision their own success.”
In keeping with the College’s hallmark of hands-on, immersive learning, the PA program will send students off campus to observe and assist health care professionals in clinical rotations during their second year in the program. Over 100 PAs, physicians, and other health care providers, many of whom were sourced through the vast network of Austin College alumni, have committed to instructing the students in a variety of clinical settings. Clinical rotations are expected to begin in June 2025, when the initial cohort enter their second year of the program.
Small, rigorous classes. A spirit of servantleadership and engagement. Exposure to a broad range of disciplines and viewpoints. An emphasis on hands-on, immersive learning. All are hallmarks of a PA program done the Austin College way.
The Austin College Master of Medical Science-Physician Assistant program was developed in response to a critical shortage of healthcare providers in Texas. Start-up costs were funded through the generosity of Hillcrest Foundation, Texoma Health Foundation, Clara Blackford Smith and W. Aubrey Smith Charitable Foundation, M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation, and individual donors.
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Austin College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Austin College. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-austin-college/
The initial cohort of the Austin College Master of Medical Science-Physician Assistant (PA) program arrived at the College’s Health Campus on June 3, 2024. Simply securing a place in the program was an accomplishment, with over 1,200 applications received for the 34 openings. In her comments welcoming the students, Dr. Diana Noller, Assistant Professor of Medical Sciences and Founding Director of the program, said, “Today marks the beginning of Austin College’s mission to train talented graduate students who have the heart to serve others, guiding their transformation into PAs who practice with excellence and make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.”
The 13,000 square foot Austin College Health Campus facility was designed exclusively for the physician assistant program, with simulated inpatient and outpatient rooms to facilitate mock patient encounters and state-of-the-art teaching tools, including holographic anatomy software and Anatomage tables, which allow students to interact with the human body virtually. “The Anatomage table is an innovative medical education tool. This technology not only saves us countless hours of study, but also enhances our learning experience by offering high-resolution, 3D anatomical structures and dynamic visualizations of the body’s physiology. It has proven to be an unparalleled resource in deepening my understanding of the human body,” said student Shania Ford.
The faculty of the Health Campus are also making their mark, both on campus and in their field. The PA faculty are actively contributing to the PA profession through peer-reviewed publications and national presentations. Noller explained, “We have had four faculty members contribute to peer-reviewed publications on topics including race-conscious admissions practices, promoting tolerant listening skills to enhance patient-centered care, and supporting diversity through best practices in technical standards.” She also noted that faculty and staff have planned volunteer outings in the community in a demonstration of the program’s core value of engagement. They kicked off National PA Week in October by volunteering to pack groceries at Masterkey Ministries, a local food bank.
In addition to regular courses with physician assistant faculty, the students have heard lectures by faculty in other departments, including Dr. Saritha Bangara, Associate Professor of Public Health & Public Health Department Chair; Dr. Huy Nguyen, Assistant Professor of Mathematics; Dr. Beth Gill, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty; and Dr. Mathias Akuoko, Associate Professor of Public Health. Alumni, too, have made their contributions. William Roberts ’73, Dr. Paul Putman ’78, and Rupak Dhoot ’13, among others, have also shared their perspectives with the students. These content experts have discussed topics from microbiology to sociocultural influences on health care. “The opportunity to learn from expert guest speakers in the medical field, particularly alumni from Austin College, offers invaluable insights into both the academic journey and real-world applications of health care knowledge,” said Kathryn Woodruff, member of the cohort. “Alumni bring a unique perspective, share professional wisdom, and inspire current students to envision their own success.”
In keeping with the College’s hallmark of hands-on, immersive learning, the PA program will send students off campus to observe and assist health care professionals in clinical rotations during their second year in the program. Over 100 PAs, physicians, and other health care providers, many of whom were sourced through the vast network of Austin College alumni, have committed to instructing the students in a variety of clinical settings. Clinical rotations are expected to begin in June 2025, when the initial cohort enter their second year of the program.
Small, rigorous classes. A spirit of servantleadership and engagement. Exposure to a broad range of disciplines and viewpoints. An emphasis on hands-on, immersive learning. All are hallmarks of a PA program done the Austin College way.
The Austin College Master of Medical Science-Physician Assistant program was developed in response to a critical shortage of healthcare providers in Texas. Start-up costs were funded through the generosity of Hillcrest Foundation, Texoma Health Foundation, Clara Blackford Smith and W. Aubrey Smith Charitable Foundation, M.B. and Edna Zale Foundation, and individual donors.
The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Austin College Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Austin College. Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class.
The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-austin-college/