by Dawn McGuire, PA-S, Campbell University
Campbell University’s Physician Assistant Program is a 24-month graduate degree program and matriculated its first class in 2013. Centered on the core values of faith, learning and service, Campbell’s PA program prepares students to be compassionate, competent and professional health care providers. We are also proud to say that the classes of 2016, 2017, & 2018 have all achieved a 100% first-time PANCE pass rate. In addition to outstanding academic achievements, the mission of providing service is an integral part of the program and students have been actively involved in service projects in the surrounding communities since the start of the program.
Community Outreach
September: The Wallace Student Society (WSS) collected and donated food and hygiene supplies for local communities affected by Hurricane Florence. The donations filled an entire pick-up truck and were distributed by the NCAPA. The WSS also partnered with the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) club at a local high school to provide donations and financial support for assistance with the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence.
October: Campbell PA students teamed up with Campbell public health students and the Harnett County Health Department to provide free BP screenings and nutritional education to the local community. During the first day of National PA week, PA students held a blood pressure drive at the Campbell University football game.
November/December: In November, members of the Wallace Student Society hosted a Bingo Night at a local assisted living center and donated prizes for the winners. Students were able to spread holiday cheer with lively music and caroling; the smiles on the residents’ faces were priceless. The students had previously partnered with this assisted living center to practice history taking and physical exams during the fall semester.
January: The Wallace Student Society manages a stretch of highway for the Campbell PA Program near campus. Several times throughout the year, different members volunteer an afternoon to pick up trash along the area. During this month students also organized and facilitated a campus blood drive event.
March: Members of the Wallace Student Society volunteered their time over spring break to partner with NC Baptists on Mission Health Screening Ministry. The event used mobile health vans to offer free health screenings and dental care to members of the community. The Student Society also donated and collected items to create hygiene kits that patients received at the screening.
More to come: The Wallace Student Society plans and hosts an annual golf tournament to raise funds for the Make-A-Wish® foundation. Last year’s tournament raised more than $14,000 for Make-A-Wish® Eastern NC, which is enough money to grant two wishes! The PA Class of 2020 will host this annual event on June 2nd.
Community Care Clinic
PA students at Campbell are given the opportunity to volunteer their time at CU’s Community Care Clinic every Tuesday throughout the school year. Student volunteers see patients as part of an interprofessional team with DO and pharmacy students. Faculty volunteers from these departments serve as mentors and preceptors as students learn to practice compassionate health care. The clinic serves a vital need for many Harnett County residents who can’t afford to pay for healthcare and provides primary care management for acute and chronic conditions. Recently, Campbell PA students have begun volunteering at a Mobile Care Clinic where local farm workers are given free care by Campbell health programs students.
Advocacy
Eight Campbell PA students attended the AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Summit in Alexandria Virginia. This experience allowed students to have the opportunity to advocate for PAs nationwide on Capitol Hill in Washington DC. At the event students interacted with PAs from North Carolina and across the nation. The students advocated to US senators and representatives for full Medicare reimbursement and for the prescribing authority of diabetic shoes.
Campbell Physician Assistant students advocated at the NC Legislature in Raleigh on March 20th. Students voiced the need for expansion on the loan repayment program for PA students choosing to serve in underserved NC areas as well as the significant need for increased
