PAs on the front line of medicine at MUSC

The American Academy of Physician Assistants celebrates Physician Assistants Week each year in October and highlights the PA profession and its important role in health care. This year, PA Week is Oct. 6 through 12, and the profession honors the anniversary of the first graduating class of PAs from Duke University in 1967, on Oct. 6.  

Did you know MUSC has a very active PA program in the College of Health Professions? Division director Helen Martin, DHSc, PA–C, leads the program. PAs are medical professionals who diagnose illness, develop and manage treatment plans, prescribe medications, assist in surgery and often serve as a patient’s principal health care provider.

Our MUSC PA students are deeply committed to working with the local St. Andrew’s Christian Free Medical Clinic. This year, a cohort of students were able to study abroad and work alongside PA students and PAs practicing in the Netherlands. PAs work internationally and leaders in the field are establishing programs in many countries (read more at iapae.com), as PAs are often the first point of contact for many patients and play a vital role in helping them understand their medical needs.

Thank you to the following MUSC PA faculty who devote their career, passion and energy to our future PA medical professionals: Clint Blankenship, PharmD, PA–C, RPh, Gilbert Boissonneault, Ph.D., PA–C, Cris Chillura, PA–C, Matt Ewald, PA–C, Lesli Woodall, PA–C and Ed O’Bryan, M.D. (medical director).

The PA profession in South Carolina
Each state has an organized PA chapter that serves as the central hub in leading education and advocacy opportunities. Our state chapter, the South Carolina Academy of PAs, has a legislative committee led by president Jennifer Marshall, PA–C, that is preparing legislation to advance our professional footprint in providing access to care in our state where the majority of counties are considered underserved.  

“We have an opportunity to increase access to care for thousands of South Carolinians by progressing our practice act to reflect the outstanding education and skill set by the PAs across the state,” said Marshall.

Our legislation focuses on preserving the team-based approach with our physician colleagues with core principals of OTP, or optimal team practice. OTP is a term coined by our national association to guide states in crafting effective legislation to eliminate barriers such as arduous paperwork processes for medical licensure application, limitations on types of drugs prescribed and physical location practice restrictions between the PA and physician despite real–time telecommunication with the medical team.

MUSC is committed to advancing the utilization of PAs across departments. Better utilization of PAs working at the top of their license, education, and training provides increased financial benefit, patient access and physician satisfaction.

Throughout the week, MUSC PAs and PA students will participate in PA Week on social media, hold events in their communities and work to raise awareness of the profession. See our MUSC Celebrates PA Week flyer to participate in the events, and don’t forget to thank a PA this coming week.