Kettering College Celebrates Physician Assistant Week
October 10, 2024—Physician Assistant (PA) Week is celebrated October 6 – 12 to celebrate PAs’ vital role in our healthcare system. PAs are licensed clinicians who practice medicine in every specialty and setting. The PA profession was established in 1967, and nearly 180,000 PAs are practicing in the United States, serving over 500 million patients yearly.
Kettering College is distinguished as one of the oldest PA programs in the nation with our program beginning in 1973. Tim Scanlon is the department chair of the program. He explains a PA is a “licensed healthcare professional who diagnoses illnesses, develops treatment plans, prescribes medications, and performs procedures. PAs collaborate closely with physicians and other healthcare team members, providing high-quality, patient-centered care across various specialties.”
The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of physicians between 37,800 and 124,000 by 2034. This shortage is straining the healthcare system, but the PA profession continues to grow. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates PA employment to increase 27% between 2023 and 2032 – much faster than the average for all occupations.
PAs are highly educated professionals who are meticulously trained and are helping transform the healthcare system. Tim says the growing number of PAs is “making healthcare more accessible and efficient.” He adds, “PAs provide essential care, especially in underserved areas.”
The American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA); (The AAPA uses ‘associate’ in place of ‘assistant’) explains PAs are dedicated to “making healthcare more human.” The AAPA states, “PAs believe patients deserve to understand what a diagnosis means for daily life, why a particular treatment was chosen, and what you can do to improve your own health…Providing quality care means knowing what to do, and helping you understand why.”
Tim says being a PA is an extremely fulfilling career. He says, “The most rewarding part of being a PA is the opportunity to make a direct impact on patients’ lives. PAs build strong patient relationships, contribute to improved health outcomes, and have a versatile role that allows them to explore various specialties.”
In 2024, Kettering College’s PA program was granted accreditation-continued, a ten-year status. This is the maximum allotted time and a top distinction among PA programs. It marks 50 years of continuous accreditation for the Kettering College PA program.
The program faculty average 13.5 years of clinical experience and 5 years as clinical educators. Each of our PA faculty members continues to practice clinically to bring the most up-to-date clinical knowledge to the classroom. Students in Kettering College’s PA program have the unique opportunity to experience the clinical portion of their education with a nationally recognized hospital system, Kettering Health.
Tim says Kettering College’s PA program “equips students with a comprehensive, hands-on education, blending rigorous didactic training with quality clinical experiences. Our faculty foster a supportive learning environment, ensuring that students develop the professional and communication skills needed to excel as healthcare professionals.”
Happy PA Week to the educators, students, and practicing PAs across our nation. Kettering College celebrates and appreciates you every day!
Are you interested in learning more about earning a Master of Physician Assistant Studies at Kettering College? If you’re ready to answer the call to be a part of an in-demand, versatile career, find out more here.
Kettering College is a small, faith-based healthcare college in Kettering, Ohio, offering career-focused medical degrees through traditional and accelerated programs.
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