School of Physician Assistant Studies Celebrates PA Week
Students, faculty and staff within Pacific University's School of Physician Assistant Studies have been active in the community recently, and this week are celebrating the American Academy of Physician Assistants annual PA Week.
With the Ebola virus becoming more prevalent, students and assistant professor Liz Crawford recently told media outlets KOIN, KPAM, KGW, KXL and the Portland Tribune how they are prepared to recognized and manage the virus, and whether or not the public should be concerned about Ebola.
On Sept. 27, students and faculty volunteered to assist with health physicals during the Youth Games Special Olympics Oregon at the Nike Complex in Beaverton. The team of 12 first-year students and two faculty members were proud to be a part of the event which provided health screening to athletes age 8-18. The sporting events allowed all to participate in various events ranging from soccer to track and field to golf.
Training for Life was the theme of the Youth Games, and the School of PA Studies team fully embraced the goal of training for a healthier Oregon. Students and faculty assisted with medical histories, medication reconciliation and wellness visit stations.
On the same weekend, PA Studies students and faculty also assisted the Vernonia Health Center to relocate to a new building. Since 1991, this community health clinic has been integral to providing care to this rural medically underserved area. In 2007, the clinic’s building sustained severe damage due to flooding. Now that construction of a new facility has been completed, Pacific University PA students, pre-PA students, and pre-medical students joined together with the Vernonia Health Board and the Public Health Foundation of Columbia County to help move the clinic into its new building.
Pacific University’s School of PA Studies remains committed to giving back to our community through promoting wellness and advocating for underserved populations. Participation in community events is one way we continue to raise awareness of the need for increased access to quality primary care in Oregon.