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

Letters to the Editor for Saturday, October 5, 2019

The University of Lynchburg PA Medicine program had a group of 11 students wake up bright and early to volunteer at the Virginia 10-Miler on Saturday, September 28th on behalf of Miriam’s House! Their primary jobs were to cheer on and direct runners and to assist if any emergencies arose. Our group came alongside another University of Lynchburg group who prepared signs to encourage the runners and to help raise awareness for Miriam’s House. Thanks to everyone who made it out to volunteer, and awesome job to those who ran the races that day!

 The University of Lynchburg School of PA Medicine had its third outreach event of the fall semester on Wednesday, September 11th! We had 18 students volunteer at Miriam’s House, a non-profit organization that seeks to end homelessness in Lynchburg by connecting families with stable, affordable housing and providing the skills and supports to promote self-sufficiency. One group addressed and sorted invitations to their upcoming silent auction and banquet, while another group offered to assemble furniture for their on-site housing. It was a pleasure working with the staff at Miriam’s House, and we are grateful to be able to serve an organization that helps people get back on their feet and integrate productively into the community!

Our University of Lynchburg PA Medicine Outreach Committee was busy in the community on Friday, September 6th at Get Downtown Lynchburg 2019! Our students helped vendors set up prior to the start of the event, assisted vendors and attendees during the event, and cleaned up the streets of any litter!

 On August 28, our University of Lynchburg PA students participated in their first outreach event of the new semester! Twenty-three of our PA students served at Lynchburg Grows, an urban garden right here in town that provides fresh vegetables to the local food pantries and others in the community. Our students spent most of the time weeding rose and vegetable beds as well as shoveling compost and tilling the soil. It was a great way to get out of the classroom, clinic, or hospital and serve our Lynchburg community.

The University of Lynchburg PA Medicine program is excited to announce that our second-year PA student, Sunayana Pydah, has been selected for the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) Future Educator Fellowship. This is a highly competitive fellowship where fifteen PA students are selected each year to participate. The fellowship is designed to explore foundations in teaching, expose students to the current educational environment, and expand professional development and leadership opportunities. Congratulations, Sunny! We are so proud of you!

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!