Welcome from Associate Professor & Academic Coordinator, Kevin M. Schuer, DrPH, PA-C

A Profession...Changing

It is an exceptionally interesting time to be working in healthcare. It is particularly a great time to be a physician assistant. Given the current workforce dynamics in our healthcare system as well as in our state, the UKPAS program is responding in a variety of different ways.

• We are attracting and selecting the finest students who have demonstrated academic excellence, commitment to leadership, service, and professional distinction
• We continue to educate students within a dynamic curricular experience focused on competence in medical knowledge and skills, professional behavior, interpersonal communication, and patient care
• We emphasize the importance of health care quality and patient safety and how these elements influence effective team-based care in a changing health services delivery environment
• The program continues to develop opportunities to enhance student learning and engagement in clinical ethics as well as in diversity and inclusion
• Our students interact with both state and federal government on issues related to professional scope of practice and advocacy topics germane to physician assistant practice.  These interactions are critical as the PA profession continues to change
• UKPAS students have represented the program and profession honorably by being selected for a variety of local and national opportunities (ie: Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) future educator and health policy fellows, student representatives with the American Academy of Physician Assistants, etc.)

These are just a few of the highlights that we feel are important to emphasize about our program and our students.  Our faculty and students truly have a global reach, traveling to countries in Africa, South America and Europe delivering care as well as clinical instruction.  Our faculty and students are also very active domestically.  The American Academy of Physician Assistants has established a bold vision for the practicing physician assistant by developing the concept of ‘Optimal Team Practice’ (OTP).   OTP moves the profession away from many of the current restrictions of professional practice for physician assistants nationally.  Given this, PA education will need to change in order for our students to meet the needs of a wide variety of stakeholders including hospitals, health systems, insurers and most importantly our patients. 

It is indeed a very interesting time to be working, learning and educating future health care leaders.  Our diverse and highly decorated faculty and staff are committed to the success of our students.  We are encouraged everyday by UKPAS alumni and current students’ successes in our communities, and we look forward to our continued collective work to improve the health for all. 

* Loralyn Cecil Cecil, laceci2@uky.edu Office of Advancement https://www.uky.edu/chs/alumni-giving Please update your personal information for our records.

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