The 2016 PA Program Graduates at the White Coat Ceremony

The first cohort of students in the physician assistant (PA) program has come full circle. The graduating class of 2016 started the program together two years ago and is the first to graduate with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from EMU. Now these 18 graduates are heading out to help the world and serve their communities.

In May 2014, 20 out of 600 applicants were accepted into a cohort for the newly established PA program at EMU. Each cohort is a group of students who work through the program together from the start to finish. They take the same classes, study and go through clinicals side-by-side at the same time. Together they have worked through the challenges of the curriculum and celebrated their successes in and out of the classroom. Since the start of the program, two more cohorts have been accepted into the program.

“I am impressed by the quality of the students and their medical knowledge base. It is truly a joy working with them,”

-Jamie Hall, MD

"Students from the 1st cohort of the new EMU PA Program were a pleasure to work with. They came prepared for the rotations, were engaged in learning, and seemed eager for clinical opportunities. Their foundational knowledge was impressive, and their performance netted multiple job opportunities, which is a hallmark of a solid training program. We at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital look forward to continuing our relationship with EMU for years to come."

-Diane J. Jones, Ph.D., PA-C

In recent years, the demand for PA’s has been on the rise. According to US News and World Report, PA’s are named the fourth best healthcare job and fifth overall. Until EMU introduced its PA program, Michigan had been underserved for students who wished to study to become a PA. With the addition of EMU’s PA program, there are now six schools that give students the opportunity to reach their goals of becoming a PA. Eastern’s program better prepares its students by providing them with fantastic learning opportunities through their collaborative efforts and faculty’s wealth of knowledge.

“If I had to repeat the process all over again, without a doubt in my mind, I would choose EMU’s PA program. We were exposed to the most up-to-date technology and had some of the best clinical experiences through our rotations. I gained an amazing family that I will never lose. I am so proud to be an alum of EMU’s PA program,”

-Samar Abboud, 2016 EMU Graduate

Congratulations to the 2016 Graduates of the PA Program!

“I am very proud of the Eastern Michigan University’s Physician Assistant program. The quality of our first batch of graduates is a true reflection of the rigor and high quality of the program,”

-Murali Nair, PhD, Dean of College of Health and Human Services

The first cohort of PA graduates have formed a lasting bond to the curriculum and the community. Recognizing their personal success and desire to ease the financial burden of future students, these dedicated students decided to give back to EMU by donating to the PA Scholarship Fund. If you would like to give to the PA Scholarship Fund, please click the link below:

Make a gift to the PA Scholarship Fund