Physician Assistant

Chair: Donna L. Yeisley, M.Ed., PA-C
Medical Directors: Mitch Joseph, D.O., Lawrence Stem, M.D.

The Physician Assistant is trained to carry out many routine responsibilities traditionally performed only by physicians. These may include diagnostic, therapeutic, administrative and counseling functions. Under the supervision of a physician, the Physician Assistant may elicit medical histories, perform physical examinations, order and interpret laboratory and other diagnostic procedures, prepare case summaries, formulate treatment plans, provide patient education, and carry out other duties incidental to the particular clinic, hospital, or specialty practice involved.

Students are admitted into the MPAS major. Students who meet Department progression standards will be awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science during their fourth year. Those students who maintain academic standards and complete the clinical portion (fifth year) of the professional curriculum will be awarded the Master of Physician Assistant Science Degree (MPAS).

The curriculum for the Master of Physician Assistant Science is based on a liberal arts foundation with students completing core and collateral courses during the pre-professional phase of the program (the first three years). Prior to the beginning of the professional phase, students are required to complete 100 hours of health care experience (volunteer or paid); 40 of the 100 hours must be spent working with a PA. Documentation of this experience must be provided to the Department. The professional phase begins in the fourth year (didactic year) and combines required course work with clinical experience. The fifth year of the Program consists of supervised clinical practice in primary care and various medical specialties. Please see the Graduate Programs section of the Catalog for a complete description of the professional phase.

Progression within Master of Physician Assistant Science major

Progression and continuance in the Physician Assistant Program are based upon scholastic achievement, health maintenance and adherence to Saint Francis University and Departmental policies. The progression standards for the Master of Physician Assistant Science major can be obtained from the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences.

Due Process

Any student who wishes to appeal a dismissal may request in writing to the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences Chair to appear before the Physician Assistant Performance Review Committee. Appeals must be received in the Department office within ten days after the student receives notification from the Department regarding action as discussed above.

Non-physician assistant majors who wish to register for any Introduction to Medicine course must have the permissions of the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences Chair. Only current Physician Assistant majors are eligible to register for PHYA 400- and MPAS 500-level courses.

In addition to the academic progression standards, Physician Assistant majors must adhere to the Physician Assistant program policies as stated in the current Department Policy Manual and be able to meet the Department of Physician Assistant Science Student Technical Standards. Policy manuals and technical standards may be reviewed on the Department Web Site.

Master of Physician Assistant Science

Saint Francis University students who earned a B.S. in Health Science as physician assistant science majors or individuals holding a baccalaureate degree should see the graduate section of the catalog for professional curriculum course descriptions.