School of PA Medicine

The University of Lynchburg PA Medicine program is a 27-month curriculum conferring the Master of PA Medicine (MPAM) degree.

The MPAM program at University of Lynchburg enrolled its first class in June 2015. The facilities located adjacent to campus were designed specifically to meet the needs of the PA Medicine students including state-of-the-art space for classrooms, a physical diagnosis lab and simulation training. The program will also utilize an anatomy lab that features flat screen monitors and twenty-one cadaver stations. Our faculty bring both experience in higher education and clinical practice to enhance the education that students will receive. Members of the local medical community will also serve as guest lecturers.

PAs are advanced medical practitioners who are able to obtain medical histories, perform examinations, diagnose illness and prescribe medications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of PAs is expected to increase 38 percent from 2012 to 2022, much faster than average growth for most occupations.

About the Program

The overarching goal for University of Lynchburg is to build a strong program that attracts top-quality faculty and students who will serve local, regional and national needs for well-educated PAs. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to serve as generalists. Students will also be mentored in leadership to provide opportunities for professional growth within their careers, and foster advancement of the profession.

Starting in May 2019, the program enrolls cohorts of up to 40 students each year.

For additional information please contact us at or 434.544.8876.

PA Medicine Highlights

The University of Lynchburg PA Medicine program would like to congratulate our Class of 2019. On August 17, the Class of 2019 received their long white coat, signifying successful completion of the University of Lynchburg PA Medicine program!

We started a new tradition this year at the long white coat graduation ceremony! The University of Lynchburg School of PA Medicine began their membership with Pi Alpha – The National Honor Society for PAs. The Pi Alpha Honor Society was organized in 2004 by the Association of Physician Assistant Programs (APAP) for the promotion and recognition of significant academic achievement, leadership, research, community/professional service, and the encouragement of a high standard of character and conduct. Our inaugural inductees are Dr. Eric Schmidt, PhD who is instrumental in our 27-month curriculum and teaches Human Anatomy, Pathophysiology, Medical Informatics, and the Research Courses; Ms. Amy Popko who was the LCPA Students Without Borders President during her time with the PA Medicine program, and Ms. Nina Ong who was the Polloway Student Society President during her time with the PA Medicine program. We would like to congratulate our inductees and thank them for their continued contribution to the PA program and profession!

Dr. Jeremy M. Welsh, VAPA President-Elect; Dr. Beth Smolko, AAPA President – Elect; Professor Melissa Shaffron; and Professor Jenna Rolfs at the Virginia Academy of PAs 2019 Summer Conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

 University of Lynchburg PA Medicine is proud to announce that Sunny Pydah, second-year PA student, received the Virginia Academy of PAs Student of the Year award at the VAPA Summer Conference on Monday, July 22.

Our fully integrated ultrasound curriculum includes didactic instruction every week on a module consistent with what the PA students are learning in their didactic classes. Additionally, our students receive hands-on instruction and practice with beside point-of-care ultrasound in a lab every Tuesday morning. Pictured are our first-year students practicing the ocular/head/neck beside point-of-care ultrasound exam.

Our PA Medicine faculty and students attended the AAPA National conference on May 18-23. Our PA students participated in the ultrasound iScan event, attended CME lectures, helped out at the School of PA Medicine booth, and participated in the AAPA National Challenge Bowl where our challenge bowl team represented the program by making it to the stage. Only 36 out of 104 participating teams make it on stage. We are so proud of our PA students! Pictured is School of PA Medicine faculty and students at the National Challenge Bowl.