School of Health Professions News

PA Studies Class of 2021 posts 100% first-time pass rate on national exam

Thursday, April 28, 2022

By Kate Hunger

Every student in the Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2021 passed the profession’s national certifying exam on the first try.

The 100% first-time time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE) is well above the national average of 93%, said Associate Professor Paul Allen, Sr., DSc, MPAS, PA-C, FAAPA, program director and chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at UT Health San Antonio. “Our personal benchmark is that we want to score at or better than the national average,” Dr. Allen said.

Physician Assistant Studies department chair receives Presidential Award

Thursday, April 28, 2022

By Kate Hunger

Thirty years ago, Paul B. Allen, Sr., DSc, MPAS, PA-C, FAAPA, FSAPA, associate professor, chair and program director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at UT Health San Antonio, would not have guessed his future included leading an effort to increase the number of health care providers in the Laredo area.

In fact, Dr. Allen wasn’t expecting to work in health care at all. When he joined the U.S. Army, he was selected for training as a Special Forces medical sergeant, not as a Special Forces weapons sergeant, as he had hoped.

PA Studies student named Presidential Ambassador Scholar for School of Health Professions

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

By Kate Hunger

Physician Assistant Studies student Caitlyn Swopes is the School of Health Professions’ 2022 Presidential Ambassador Scholar.

Swopes has devoted a substantial number of hours to leadership and volunteer efforts, said Steven “Tony” Skaggs, PhD, MPAS, PA-C, assistant professor, associate chair and associate program director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies.

PA Studies professor elected to Texas delegation of national PA academy’s house of delegates

Wednesday, March 30, 2022

By Kate Hunger

Meredith Quinene, DHSc, MPAS, PA-C, DFAAPA, has been elected by the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants (TAPA) as a delegate to the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) House of Delegates.The AAPA House of Delegates is the national legislative body for the PA profession and has voting delegates from 58 chapters representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and five federal services.

PA Studies department chair wins Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Service to the Institution

Monday, February 28, 2022

Associate Professor Paul B. Allen, Sr., DSc, MPAS, PA-C, FAAPA, FSAPA, chair and program director of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies at UT Health San Antonio, is the recipient of the 2022 Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Service to the Institution. His nomination for the award specifically referenced his leadership during the creation of a new PA studies campus location in Laredo.

Distinction in Research program helps students engage in research at a deeper level

Monday, February 28, 2022

By Kate Hunger

As the first student in the School of Health Professions’ Distinction in Research program, Caitlyn Swopes credits the experience with helping her pursue research even as she manages a full schedule in the Physician Assistant Studies program.

“I want to practice as a PA, but I want to eventually get my PhD, so research is probably something I will stick with for a while,” she said. “I didn’t realize that I had the time to do it in PA school, and when I realized I did, a lot of opportunities opened up.”

Patients always come first, PA Studies commencement speaker tells graduates

Friday, December 17, 2021

P. Eugene “Gene” Jones, PhD, PA-C, professor emeritus, delivered remarks as the distinguished commencement speaker at the Dec. 10 graduation of the Physician Assistant Class of 2021.

Dr. Jones, who was named a professor emeritus of physician assistant studies at UT Southwestern in 2017, delivered an inspirational address, with a focus on how graduates can be great PAs.

PA Studies Class of 2021 graduates

Friday, December 17, 2021

By Kate Hunger

The Master of Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2021 graduated on Dec. 10 at Holly Auditorium.

School of Health Professions Dean David Shelledy, PhD, RRT, RPFT, FAARC, FASAHP, congratulated the 44 graduates on their accomplishments despite the challenges of COVID-19.

Respiratory care students give PA students a lesson on mechanical ventilation

Friday, December 17, 2021

By Kate Hunger

When first-year Physician Assistant Studies student Bryce Holmgren recently had the chance to learn about mechanical ventilators from a group of graduate respiratory care students, she peppered them with questions.

“I was honestly shocked by the whole thing,” Holmgren said. “I was like, ‘Wow, they are expecting us to be able to write orders and know the machines and see what needs to be changed.’ I can’t believe what it would be like to go to clinics or the real world and not have that experience.”

Studying to be a PA in Laredo enables student to attend grad school and still enjoy family time in her hometown

Friday, December 17, 2021

By Kate Hunger

Going to graduate school in her hometown of Laredo has allowed first-year Master of Physician Assistant Studies student Annalee Aldape to expand her career options while staying connected to family.