The mission of the PCOM Physician Assistant Program is to educate highly qualified physician assistants, preparing them to become competent and compassionate health care providers, supported through scholarly activity and a broad range of clinical practice experiences.

Program Goals

· To identify for admission those individuals with the pre-requisite academic background, a strong interest in the PA career, excellent interpersonal skills, and the maturity necessary for Physician Assistant education.

· To provide a coordinated, comprehensive, didactic, and clinical curriculum that will enable the graduate to deliver the highest quality of health care services with physician supervision.

· To promote a clinical and didactic environment that embraces the concept of a health care team that provides communication, cooperation, and compassion.

· To promote a comprehensive approach to health and disease by emphasizing primary care, health maintenance, and prevention of disease.

· To promote in our graduates the importance of life-long learning and ongoing self-evaluation.

· To promote an understanding of information literacy by designing, conducting, presenting or interpreting research.

· To provide our students with the medical knowledge, skills and attitudes to engage in clinical practice as a Physician Assistant.

Noting the missions and objectives of the PA profession and PCOM, please describe your personal characteristics that demonstrate your interest in the field. Include an example of the event in which your actions directly influences the life of another person and relate this to your goal of becoming a Physician Assistant. (one thousand words essay)