HSC NEWS - UT Health Science Center San Antonio

Physician Assistant Studies to celebrate 10th anniversary

Posted: Friday, September 21, 2012

Glenn Forister, M.S., PA-C, an associate professor/clinical, was named chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies earlier this year.
Glenn Forister, M.S., PA-C, an associate professor/clinical, was named chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies earlier this year.

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By Rosanne Fohn

Calling all students, faculty, alumni and friends of the Physician Assistant Studies (PAS) program at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio!

The Department of PAS is holding its 10th anniversary celebration from 7 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 6, at Pedrotti’s North Wind Ranch, 13715 FM 1560 N. in Helotes. The celebration will be held in the Shooting Star Building.

The event will include conversation, dinner and line dancing, as well as the establishment of the Student Enrichment Fund, designed to offer support for tutoring services, community service initiatives, student research projects and scholarships for future PA students.

Visit with faculty and friends
“This will be a great opportunity for all of us to get reacquainted and catch up on what we have been doing over the past several years,” said Glenn Forister, M.S., PA-C, associate professor/clinical and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

Dennis Blessing, Ph.D., a founding member of the Physician Assistant Studies program, is now associate dean of the School of Health Professions.
Dennis Blessing, Ph.D., a founding member of the Physician Assistant Studies program, is now associate dean of the School of Health Professions.

One of the department's founding faculty members, Dennis Blessing, Ph.D., now associate dean of the School of Health Professions (SHP), will be on hand to reminisce, as well as several former faculty members.

“I’m especially looking forward to seeing PAs from my class,” said Julie Dylla, PA-C, president of the first PA class in 2000. The first graduates “walked the stage” in 2002. At least three other class presidents are expected to attend.

National Physician Assistant Week activities
This is just one of several events planned during this year’s observance of National Physician Assistant Week, Oct. 6-12:

On Saturday, Oct. 6, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, PA students and faculty members will provide health screenings at the San Fernando Health Fair on the grounds of San Fernando Cathedral, 231 W. Commerce St.
Oct. 6-12, PA students will be collecting new and gently used books for the Reach Out and Read program, which provides books for babies and preschoolers when they come for their well-child check-ups. This is part of a statewide initiative by the Texas Association of Physician Assistants. Collection bins will be located in the lobby of the Briscoe Library, at the Texas Star Café, in the Research Administration Building lobby and at the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Professional Pavilion in Suite 1295.
On Thursday, Oct. 11, from 4 to 7 p.m., PA students will provide health screenings in conjunction with Corps Community Day. The fair, which will also include dental screenings, music, food, zumba dancing and other activities, will be held at the Lincoln Heights Courts, 1315 Elmendorf.
On Oct. 12 there will be a panel discussion featuring four physicians and a PA on the topic of “Adding Value to Your Practice: The Role of a Physician Assistant.” The panel discussion will be held from noon to 1 p.m. in Room 3.104 in the Lecture Hall Foyer, located between the School of Medicine and the Briscoe Library. Lunch will be provided.

“We are so proud of our PA faculty and students, and of the great work our alumni are doing in their practices throughout Central and South Texas,” said Nita Wallace, Ph.D., interim dean of the SHP. “We also are very grateful to our donors for their support and interest in bringing excellent and affordable health care to our region.”

How to register for the celebration
Advance registration is required for the 10th anniversary celebration. The cost is $30 for alumni, faculty, staff and guests, and $15 for students and their guests.

To register online, please visit www.uthscsa.edu/shp and click on the registration button. You can also register by phone by contacting Ester Campos at campos@uthscsa.edu or 210-567-8863.