PA ALUMNI EXCEL AS SMITH ASSUMES LEADERSHIP ON A PERMANENT BASIS
Associate Dean Ben Smith , who served as interim director of the Florida State University School of Physician Assistant Practice starting in January , was named director in late November .
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Smith
Dean John P . Fogarty cited Smith ’ s quiet , steady and skilled leadership through a difficult year as the school continued to address accreditation challenges .
“ It is a privilege to be asked to serve as the program director of the FSU PA program ,” Smith said . “ Working with talented and passionate students , staff and faculty colleagues is tremendously motivating as we look to the future , which includes delivering optimal health care to our neighbors in the state , the nation and the world .”
He joined the faculty in 2016 , as the PA program was being created , and has served in numerous roles , including teaching faculty , director of didactic education , and associate program director .
“ As the program is still young in its development and history , it is awesome to recognize the reach and potential of current students and alumni ,” said Smith , who plans to build on the early successes . “ Much good has been accomplished to date . My hope is that we will maintain a broad vision of the positive influence that will be realized .
“ Success will occur as we continue to work together with a mission-driven focus , aware of growth and learning opportunities .”
As enrollment in the program grew to capacity ( 180 ), it also attracted increasing interest from applicants . In August , the 60 students admitted ( from among nearly 1,700 applicants ), entered with the highest GPA for math and science and the highest average quantitative Graduate Record Examination ( GRE ) score of any of the program ’ s five previous classes .
Smith estimated that 70 % of FSU PA graduates are practicing in Florida , and 32 % are practicing in a primary care specialty . Nationally , about 24 % of PAs are practicing primary care , according to the 2021 National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants ( NCCPA ).
The number of FSU-produced PAs practicing in Florida should continue to increase . Florida residents constitute 97 % of the newest class , increasing the likelihood they ’ ll one day practice in Florida .
The program also seeks students likely to one day practice in communities where access to care is an issue .
Nationally , the NCCPA says 3.3 % of PAs are Black / African-American , 6.2 % are Asian and 6.8 % are Hispanic .
FSU ’ s four-year minority enrollment percentages are Hispanic ( 16.6 %), Asian ( 7.5 %) and Black / African American ( 6.7 %).
The U . S . Bureau of Labor Statistics ’ occupational outlook handbook projects employment for PAs to grow 28 % by 2031 , more than five times faster than any other health-care occupation .
Increased demand for health-care services , especially for elderly , underserved and rural populations , is at the root of the need for more PAs , who can provide some of the same services as physicians after completing their training in a fraction of the time it takes to produce a practicing M . D .
FSU PA alumni are demonstrating the program ’ s success in another way , as well : 98 % ( 138 of 140 graduates through the first three classes ) have passed the required Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam ( PANCE ).
At its September 2022 meeting , the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant , Inc . ( ARC-PA ) extended Accreditation-Probation status for the Florida State University School of Physician Assistant Practice program sponsored by Florida State University until its next review in September 2024 .
Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years . However , that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance . Probation accreditation status is granted , at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA , when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not , in the judgment of the ARC-PA , meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened .
Once placed on probation , a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner , as specified by the ARC- PA , may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn .
Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and / or the appropriate institutional official ( s ).
The program ’ s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http :// www . arc-pa . org / accreditation-history-florida-state-university /.
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