Chair: Donna L. Yeisley, M.Ed., PA-C
Medical Director: Mitch Joseph, D.O.
Adjunct Faculty in Physician Assistant Science: Peter Bartolomucci, RN; Donald Beckstead, M.D.; Elliot Bilofsky, D.O.; Eric Bridenbaugh, PA-C; Lawrence Glad, M.D.; Chris Holland, MPAS, PA-C; John Karduck, M.D.; Peter Kreckel, RPh; Alicia Lombardo, O.D.; Jane Maslonik, RD; Kimberly Muffie, PA-C; Stephen Pyo, PA-C; Timothy Reitz, NREMT-P; Sarah Rearick, RN; Justine Roberts, PA-C; Steve Ruddeck, PA-C; Marissa Smay, PA-C; Jennifer Taylor, PA-C; Beth Woods, PA-C; Stephen Yanoshak, D.O.
Clinical Preceptors: Tara Assi, PA-C; Johnnie Barto, M.D.; Brenda Bellissimo, PA-C; Elliot Bilofsky, D.O.; Howard Black, M.D.; Dennis Brown, M.D.; Kathryn Burroughs, PA-C; Joseph Castel, M.D.; George Castellano, M.D.; Paul Cauchon, PA-C; Timothy Coombs, M.D.; George Cummings, III, D.O.; Emil Dib, M.D.; Tony Drummond, PA-C; Penne Edgell, M.D.; Bettina Ellsworth, M.D., William Fink, M.D.; Bruce Foster, D.O.; Chris George, PA-C; Emily George, PA-C; Lawrence Glad, M.D.; Robin Golden, PA-C; Jerry Gray, M.D.; Patrick Gray, M.D.; Michael Halter, D.O.; Damian Horner, D.O.; Patricia Hoyne, M.D.; Ameena Jabir, M.D.; Rizwan Jabir, M.D.; Steve Jarboe, PA-C; Mitch Joseph, D.O.; John Karduck, M.D.; Justin Kirk, PA-C; Ben Klennert, PA-C; Shawna Koehle, PA-C; Sarah Kopnicky, PA-C; Frank Kush, M.D.; Emily Lynch, PA-C; Scott Magley, M.D.; James Mansberger, D.O.; Liz Matray, PA-C; David McConnell, Jr., M.D.; Fiona McLellan, M.D.; Angelina Merlino, PA-C; Jennifer Nunnelee, PA-C; Aileen Oandasan, M.D.; Timothy O’Donnell, M.D.; John Onderko, PA-C; Ashley Parsons, CRNP; Kisher Patel, M.D.; Tejas Patel, M.D.; Paige Patterson, M.D.; Robert Potter, M.D.; Laurie Powell, CNM; Julie Reitnauer, PA-C; Elias Rifkah, M.D; Virginia Roth, PA-C; Travis Rudge, PA-C; Kevin Sanders, PA-C; Stephen Schmidt, M.D.; Justin Sloan, PA-C; James Stewart, M.D.; Kevin Sugalski, D.O.; Robert Sussman, M.D.; James Tatum, M.D.; Sunny Thomas, M.D.; Laurie Treaster, PA-C; Jeff Trimbath, PA-C; Adam Turinsky, PA-C; Kenneth Williams, 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.
Admission to the Physician Assistant Program is a competitive process. A student (graduate) that will have a completed baccalaureate degree before enrollment applies through the Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants at www.caspaonline.org. Graduate applicants are further evaluated by the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences and required to participate in the Physician Assistant program’s admission process. Meeting the minimum standards of admission does not guarantee acceptance. All students enrolled in the program must be able to meet the department’s student technical standards. For complete information on Physician Assistant program admission, contact the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences.
The accredited portion of the Physician Assistant program consists of a year of didactic study, followed by a year of clinical experiences.
The MPAS program didactic year (year 01) is designed on the medical model to prepare students to become primary care clinicians. The three-semester curriculum is built around medicine modules that employ a comprehensive and integrated approach to exploring disease processes covering all organ systems. Components of each medicine module will include instruction on scientific concepts, such as pertinent anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology and genetic implications as well as health maintenance. Students will develop history taking and physical examination skills, learn to order and interpret laboratory and diagnostic studies, learn to formulate a differential diagnosis and determine the most likely diagnosis. Clinical therapeutics (pharmacology) and clinical interventions (non-pharmacological) are also taught. A strong emphasis is placed on critical thinking and problem solving, as well as patient education. Gross anatomy utilizing cadavers complements lecture presentations in the medicine modules. Other areas of study include clinical skills, well child, public health, evidence-based medicine, and an introduction to U.S. health care.
During the clinical year, all students are required to complete the following rotations: eight credits of family practice or four credits of family practice and four credits of primary care, with approval by the department, and four credits each of internal medicine, emergency medicine, women’s health, pediatrics, surgery, behavioral medicine, and a four-credit elective that will allow further investigation of an area of medicine that personally interests or assists the student in furthering his/her educational goals. Any site/specialty choices for elective rotations must be approved by the department faculty. All clinical clerkships must be approved by the clinical coordinator prior to registration. Also during the clinical year, each student will complete the Transition to Clinical Practice course. This course is designed to provide a bridge experience for the student who is completing clinical rotations by addressing issues germane to everyday PA practice. Included within this course is a capstone experience and summative evaluation which must be completed at a satisfactory level.
Students are required to provide their own transportation to clinical sites and general clerkships during the didactic and clinical years of the program. Please realize that clinical year rotations may require travel outside of Pennsylvania. Housing during clinical year is the student’s responsibility. All students are covered by malpractice insurance. Students are required to pass drug and criminal background checks to progress in or graduate from the program.
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 and technical standards for the Master of Physician Assistant Science major can be obtained from the Department of Physician Assistant Sciences.
In addition to the academic progression standards and the degree requirements as listed below, Physician Assistant majors must adhere to the Physician Assistant program policies as stated in the current Department Policy Manual. Policy manuals may be reviewed on the department website. Please note that the program reserves the right to change, modify or amend progression standards and program policies prior to matriculation in the major as a freshman or didactic year student.
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.
Advanced Placement
The program does not grant any type of advanced placement for didactic or clinical courses.
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