Program Mission and Goals
UTHSC System Statement of Aspirations
We are dedicated to expanding access to educational opportunities, striving to remove barriers, and making academic pursuits more affordable. Consistent with the University’s commitment to high academic standards, student achievement, and the preparation of responsible citizens, we believe that engaging with individuals from all backgrounds and perspectives fosters a vibrant learning environment that enhances critical thinking and intellectual growth. Our collective strengths make us stronger, and we are committed to promoting an atmosphere where all members of the University community feel welcome, can thrive, and achieve success.
Approved by the Board of Trustees on February 28, 2025.
Mission Statement
The mission of the UTHSC Physician Assistant Program is to prepare highly skilled physician assistants who:
- Are dedicated to improving access to health care,
- Provide high quality primary and/or specialty care as part of interprofessional teams,
- Are knowledgeable about all factors that can affect a patient’s health and well-being,
- Are committed to lifelong learning and service to their community.
Program Goals
Goal 1: Recruit, matriculate, and retain highly qualified students who complete the Master of Medical Science degree program within the College of Medicine at UTHSC.
The UTHSC Physician Assistant Program is committed to recruiting, matriculating, and supporting highly qualified students within the College of Medicine. Applicant strength is evaluated using key academic indicators, including undergraduate GPA, science GPA, and PA-CAT scores, along with ongoing review of student performance throughout the program.
Each incoming class is selected to meet or exceed national benchmarks, including average GPA data reported by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA) and national PA-CAT performance.
The program also closely monitors student success and progression. Outcomes reflect this commitment, with a goal of maintaining less than 10% attrition per cohort and achieving a graduation rate greater than 90%.
| Graduated Classes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Class of 2023 | Class of 2024 |
Class of 2025 | |
| Maximum Entering Class Size(as approved by ARC-PA) | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Entering Class Size | 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Graduates | 26 | 29 | 27 |
| *Attrition Rate | 13% | 3% | 10% |
| **Graduation Rate | 87% | 97% | 90% |
*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.
**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.
|
Cohort Graduation year |
Cohort Matriculation Cumulative GPA |
Cohort Matriculation Science GPA |
PAEA Average Matriculation GPA (national data) |
PAEA Average Matriculation Science GPA |
Cohort PA-CAT range |
Cohort Average PA-CAT Composite Score |
PA-CAT NATIONAL MEAN |
|
|
2023 |
3.73 |
3.70 |
2020-2021 |
3.61 |
3.55 |
N/A
|
N/A |
TBD |
|
2024 |
3.76 |
3.72 |
2021-2022 |
3.62 |
3.55 |
N/A
|
N/A |
TBD |
|
2025 |
3.71 |
3.67 |
2022-2023 |
3.64 |
3.64 |
460 - 597
|
528 |
TBD |
|
2026 |
3.68 |
3.61 |
2023-2024 |
3.67 |
3.60 |
497 - 626 |
532 |
TBD |
|
2027 |
3.64 |
3.62 |
Data not yet available |
505 - 614 |
543 |
TBD |
||
Goal 2: Educate and prepare future certified physician assistants with requisite medical knowledge, clinical skills and technical skills for entry-level practice.
The UTHSC Physician Assistant Program provides a rigorous, integrated educational experience designed to prepare graduates for entry-level clinical practice. Students are assessed on program competencies through a comprehensive summative evaluation prior to graduation, ensuring readiness for the demands of patient care.
Student performance consistently reflects a strong foundation of medical knowledge and clinical skills. On the End of Curriculum (EOC) exam, 100% of students exceeded the program's benchmark score, with class averages consistently well above national expectations. In addition, all students successfully met program standards for clinical skills through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and procedural competency assessments.
National certification outcomes further demonstrate student success. Following recent program improvements, the 2025 first-time PANCE pass rate reached 96%, exceeding both the program benchmark and the national average.
|
|
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
EOC Exam (Medical Knowledge) |
1516 (100% pass) |
1537 (100% pass) |
1549 (100% pass) |
|
OSCE (Clinical Skills) |
100% pass |
100% pass |
100% pass |
|
Procedure Check-Off |
* |
* |
100% pass |
*first implemented in 2025
Goal 3: Foster awareness and sensitivity for the holistic needs of all patients, including social, legal, and ethical issues that affect patient care.
The UTHSC PA Program is committed to developing compassionate, culturally competent providers who understand the multifaceted factors influencing patient health. To accomplish this, the curriculum intentionally integrates this instruction in a required Patient-Centered Care curriculum. Didactic coursework emphasizes the social, legal, and ethical factors that influence health outcomes and clinical decision-making. This knowledge is further enhanced and applied during the clinical phase, in which all students learn in clinical settings where care is provided for underserved or rural populations. Lastly, students complete a capstone project by proposing a PA-led initiative. These experiences promote professionalism, empathy, and ethical responsibility, supporting the program’s mission to prepare graduates who deliver patient-centered care with compassion, cultural awareness, and respect for individual circumstances.
|
Graduation Year |
% of students with underserved or rural clinical rotations |
% with both underserved and rural clinical rotations |
|
2023 |
100 |
8 |
|
2024 |
100 |
14 |
|
2025 |
100 |
14 |
Goal 4: Develop and support faculty members to model professionalism, service, and leadership.
|
Professional |
Service |
Leadership |
|
2025 PA of the Year (Tennessee Academy of PAs)
|
Tennessee Academy of PAs CME Committee Member |
Tennessee Academy of PAs At-large Director |
|
Distinguished Fellow of the AAPA |
Tennessee Academy of PAs Membership Committee Member |
Tennessee Academy of PAs Delegate to AAPA House of Delegates |
|
2020 Educator of the Year (Tennessee Academy of PAs) |
JPAE Editorial Advisory Board |
2025 Outstanding Leadership Award (UTHSC Faculty Senate) |
|
2016 Rising Star Award (PAEA) |
PAEA End of Rotation Surgery Examination Blueprint Workgroup |
University: Faculty Senate President
|
|
2019 PA of the Year (Tennessee Academy of PAs) |
PAEA EM/Surgery Exam Development Board |
University: Dean’s Faculty Advisory Committee member (DFAC)
|
|
UTHSC The Craft of Teaching Medallion
|
AAPA Commission on Continuing Professional Development and Education |
University: DFAC Policy Subcommittee Vice-Chair
|
|
UTHSC Simulation Medallion
|
Tennessee Interprofessional Practice and Education Consortium |
University: Council of Academic Program Leaders |
|
UTHSC Clinical Educator Medallion
|
JPAE Peer Reviewer |
|
|
UTHSC Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Medallion
|
Community: Bimonthly presence at Wellness and Stress Clinic of Memphis |
|
|
PA Consultant to the TN State Board of PAs for Legal Review |
University: College of Medicine Access and Engagement Committee member |
|
|
18 Book Chapters Published |
University: Interprofessional Education Faculty Council member |
|
|
15 Peer Reviewed Publications |
University: CHIPS Simulation Advisory Committee member |
|
|
17 National Speaking Engagements |
University: College of Medicine Interdisciplinary Building Design Committee |
|
|
26 Regional Speaking Engagements |
|
|