On Thursday, April 19th, Jennifer Pack PA-C, who serves as our Director of Didactic Education, and I, attended our first ever graduate fair representing the University of Charleston Physician Assistant Program. The Undergraduate Research & Graduate & Professional School Fair was held at Concord University in Athens, WV. Taking advantage of new expandable signs designed by our Communications Department, we were able to exhibit an eye-catching display. We not only met potential students and Concord University science faculty, but also representatives of over a dozen other colleges and universities. It was a great day in a beautiful setting!

A short time thereafter on the weekend of May 4th, we had the opportunity to visit Glade Springs Resort for the West Virginia Association of Physician Assistants (WVAPA) annual conference. I could not have been more proud of the representation of our UC PA program. Our Program Director, David Payne PA-C, Associate Program Director, Joe Tritchler PA-C, and Medical Director, Bill Carter MD, were featured speakers at the conference. Angel Kimble PharmD, from the School of Pharmacy, also presented. And our very own Jennifer Pack PA-C, who is serving this year as WVAPA’s Vice President, was the Event Coordinator. Ours was the only PA Program in the state with a display table. What a wonderful way to meet colleagues in the PA profession and promote our program! I must say that there was a great deal of interest expressed by the attendees, which included offers to be preceptors for our students during their clinical year.

We are currently interviewing student and faculty candidates while the admissions process continues. We have over 200 individuals who have started the application process. Momentum is building for our January 2013 matriculation date!

Pam Carden MA
Admissions Coordinator