2022 NC PA Program Highlight | High Point University

By Christa Shaner, PA-S, Class of 2024 Student Representative, High Point University

Congdon Hall

High Point University’s Physician Assistant program was founded in 2014 by Dr. Linda Sekhon, DHSc, MMS, PA-C. Since the founding, the HPU PA program has strived to create an innovative, academically rigorous, and unique curriculum designed to inspire the next generation of PAs. This extraordinary program is part of the Congdon School of Health Sciences and is housed in Congdon Hall, a state-of-the-art educational facility boasting a combination of traditional lecture space, experiential learning labs, and the Center for Medical Simulation.

Here at High Point University, we take great pride in the growth of our PA program. Since the graduation of our inaugural cohort in 2017, we have grown from a class of 20 students to welcoming 65 students this year. The HPU PA program seeks to create life-long learners through a focus on experiential learning rooted in strong ethical and academic standards, while maintaining a supportive student-centered environment. HPU’s PA program strives to develop compassionate PAs prepared to provide patient-centered care through evidence-based medicine within an interprofessional healthcare team. The innovative curriculum includes aspects of critical thinking, cultural values, public policy issues, service-learning opportunities, core medical sciences, and research applicable to the needs of the PA profession. After completing the 27-month program which consists of 15 months didactic instruction followed by 12 months of clinical rotations, HPU PA students graduate with a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree.

Class of 2022
We are so proud of our graduating class of 2022! The class of 2022 has completed their final rotations of the clinical year. They are diligently preparing for graduation on August 13, 2022. Congratulations, Class of 2022!

Class of 2022

Class of 2023
The class of 2023 has been working to complete their didactic education. They are studiously preparing for their “Clinical Prep Week” where they will focus on end of didactic year evaluations, PACKRAT, and EMR on boarding in preparation for clinical rotations. This class will soon be starting clinical rotations kicking off their clinical year. Many of the rotations are located in rural areas of North Carolina, and several of our students will be traveling throughout the United States. We look forward to celebrating the class of 2023 at the White Coat Ceremony on September 2, 2022.

Class of 2023

Class of 2024
High Point University’s Physician Assistant program is thrilled to welcome the largest cohort in the program’s history this year. The class of 2024 started in June and is currently completing their first summer session of the didactic year.

Class of 2024 in the Congdon Hall Lobby

Determining innovative ways to safely provide community outreach opportunities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult process, but HPU’s PA program is devoted to volunteering throughout the local community. We are gearing up for the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, which is a fundraising event to demonstrate support for Alzheimer’s care and research. HPU PA students strive to stay involved in our community through coordinating and volunteering in Salvation Army Drives, American Red Cross Blood Drives, Health Heroes Program at HPU, PAPA Fights Hunger, Rock Steady Boxing Program for Parkinson’s Patients, and PA Week.

Fostering interprofessional relationships early in the educational process is a key focus of High Point University’s PA program. Throughout the program, HPU PA students interact with students and providers from other medical professions. Interprofessional education is designed to build interprofessional relationships and foster discussions using clinical scenarios across medical specialties within the healthcare field. HPU is passionate about the interactions between the PA program and the other healthcare professional programs at High Point University such as pharmacy, physical therapy, and athletic training.