By Ryan Clark
CHS Communications Director

This story appears in the latest issue of Gateway magazine, the official magazine of The College of Health Sciences:
 

All over the world, people are working together to provide quality healthcare as Physician Assistants.

That was the main takeaway for Prof. Dr. with Hans Peter Heistermann, Head of the Physician Assistance Program, B.Sc., The Fliedner University of Applied Sciences in Düsseldorf, Germany.

Heistermann was just one of a group made up of PA faculty and students from both Germany and the Netherlands who traveled to Lexington in the fall, as the College of Health Sciences’ Physician Assistant Studies Department hosted them on a four-day, educational trip. The group came to the U.S. to learn about the American version of the profession, as well as to share knowledge about PAs in their home countries.

But there was time for fun, too. During the trip, hosts showed them a night out in Lexington, a visit to Keeneland, a bowling outing at LexLive, and tours of the UK facilities and hospitals.

The international PA guests were also hosted by St. Claire HealthCare and CEO Don Lloyd in Morehead with an evening reception, including Kentucky food and bluegrass music.

“It was an unforgettable experience for me personally,” Heistermann said. “The hospitality was overwhelming. The key message for me was that all over the world, very dedicated people are working together to provide quality healthcare through Physician Assistants.”

Seven students (four from the Netherlands, three from Germany) and five faculty (three from the Netherlands, two from Germany) made the trip. Heistermann delivered a presentation entitled, “The Physician Assistant – A new health profession in the German health system, Development and perspectives.”

“I tried to convey the following points,” Heistermann said:

• We are experiencing a shortage in all health professions.
• PA is not yet regulated by law in Germany.
• PAs perform physician activities on a delegation basis under the supervision of physicians.
• Different educational paths exist in parallel, covering different needs; the standard degree is the bachelor’s; master’s programs are offered sporadically.
• PAs work almost exclusively in hospitals, predominantly in surgical departments, and earn approximately $50,000 per year.
• The Association of Universities is developing certification of PAs through recommendations for accreditation of programs, quality criteria and standardized examinations.

Concordantly, students and faculty, along with hospital officials, were able to relay important information about PAs in America, specifically in the south and Appalachia.

“It is really rewarding to meet international educators and hear their perceptions on healthcare and be able to show them our beautiful state,” said Virginia Valentin, DrPH, PA-C, and Chair of the Physician Assistant Studies Department. “These people from other countries — you think we’re so far apart, yet we have the same challenges.”

Valentin had actually formed a relationship with the Europeans during her prior stint as a faculty member and division chief at the University of Utah. When she became Chair of the PA Department here in the College of Health Sciences in 2022, she invited the group to Kentucky.

“We learned a lot,” said Geert van den Brink, Director of the PA Department at the HAN University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands. “Personally, I learned a lot from the organization, funding and positioning of the PA. Students especially learned a lot about the healthcare system and the PA's positioning.”

“I really was so thrilled with this trip — it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them,” Valentin said. “I am of the belief that you learn through your experiences, and they were able to see so much while they were here. Not only did they learn about their profession, but they also got to see what it’s like to be a college student in America.”

The excitement seemed to be unanimous.

“It was a special experience that I will never forget,” said Matthijs Morsink, a PA student at HAN University in the Netherlands. “I felt incredibly welcome by the friendly Americans. Your thoughts on healthcare were very interesting, completely different from the Netherlands. Nice to have attended the University and both hospitals. Also, nice to clear up some misunderstandings about the Netherlands. It was fantastically arranged!”

“We had a wonderful experience with our PA students and faculty from the Netherlands and Germany,” said Lucy Bowers, a Physician Assistant Student in the Class of 2025 and PA Class President. “Each of them had a unique experience and we were able to compare and contrast our experiences as we embark through our PA journey. We got to have them experience a bit of American culture throughout Lexington, which was fun!"

“It was a great chance to participate in this exchange and to visit the University of Kentucky,” said Aike Abeln, a student at The Fliedner University in Germany. “We got a good insight into how PAs study and work in the USA. The exchange between the students from all three countries was very nice and educational. I am very happy to have been part of this exchange. Thanks to all involved for the good organization and planning of the activities after the official part on campus. I would be very happy to see all the participants again.”

According to the students, they just might see each other again.

“It was wonderful to connect with the international faculty members and students to share the differences between the Physician Assistant profession in Germany and the Netherlands,” said Anne Shand, a second-year PA student. “We loved getting to show the students around Lexington, and I feel like we’ve become good friends with them over the past few days and have an open invitation to come visit them next time!"

It all added up to a very special time.

“It really is an honor and privilege for us in the College of Health Sciences and Department of Physician Assistant Studies to host these amazing students and faculty,” said Scott Lephart, PhD and Dean of the College. “One of the key elements of a CHS education is providing a global perspective, and in this case, we were able to show our students exactly what healthcare is like in other parts of the world — because we got the information straight from the source. In return, we were able to share what our own healthcare environment is like. It was an incredible week for our department and College.”

See our photo gallery of the visit.