What a great week to celebrate all of our Physician Assistants! National Physician Assistant week is October 6 – October 12.
The profession of physician assistants has and continues to dramatically increase. So where did it all begin? It all officially commenced on the 6th of October in 1967 as the first PA classes graduated from the Duke University PA program. Founded by Dr. Eugene Stead, he held the first ever lesson for physician assistants, a class then comprised of only four students.
Duke University still to this day holds a reputable Physician Assistant Program. According to US News and World Report, below are 10 of the top physician assistant programs.
- Duke University
- University of Iowa
- University of Utah
- Emory University
- George Washington University
- Baylor College of Medicine
- Oregon Health and Sciences University
- Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center – Dallas
- University of Washington
These PA Programs have been busy, graduating an increasing number of Physician Assistants. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistic, physician assistants are predicted to see a 38.4% employment growth over the next 10 years, adding to the already practicing 95,000 certified physician assistants.
I want to extend our gratitude to those practicing Physician Assistants and to those that are currently working their way through their program! Thank you for you dedication and commitment to the wellness of others.
Sara Pfrang started with Aureus Medical Group in May 2011 as a Search Consultant for the Physician division. In March 2012, she was promoted to Branch Manager for the Advanced Practice and Physician division. In her spare time, Sara and her husband, James, keep busy with three boys, Brandon, Jackson, and Jameson.