A new Central Coast program to train future physician assistants has received its provisional accreditation, clearing the way for the first class of students to begin learning at the Santa Maria site this fall.
The Accreditation Review Commission for Physician Assistant Education recently reviewed A.T. Still University’s new Central Coast Physician Assistant Program in Santa Maria and granted provisional accreditation.
The inaugural class of 90 students will arrive for orientation Sept. 27, according to ATSU representatives.
“A.T. Still University looks forward to welcoming students to its Santa Maria location,” ATSU President Craig Phelps, D.O., said. “Developing a new, innovative physician assistant program, dedicated to educating providers for underserved communities, is an honor and directly reflects our institution’s mission.”
ATSU, based in Missouri and with a secondary campus in Arizona, announced plans to launch a Central Coast program in 2019, choosing the second level of the CoastHills Credit Union building at Betteravia Road and Highway 101.
Home for ATSU’s Central Coast Physician Assistant Program will be a new 27,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art facility that includes a large learning theater, clinical simulation rooms, library space, a student break room, and faculty and staff workspaces.
Students enrolled in the Central Coast program will work toward earning a master of science degree in physician assistant studies.
Plans to launch the first class in 2020 stalled after the program did not earn provisional accreditation, which is granted to new programs that demonstrate the ability to meet the ARC-PA standards. However, ARC-PA revealed a few weeks ago that the ATSU program in Santa Maria had received its provisional accreditation.
O.T. Wendel, senior vice president for university planning and strategic initiatives and interim dean, led the Central Coast Physician Assistant Program’s development.
“We are pleased the accrediting body recognizes the important mission of this program and significance of its leading-edge nature,” Wendel said. “The Central Coast Physician Assistant Program is indebted to the city of Santa Maria, Central Coast medical community and many others who provided meaningful support to establish this exciting educational program.”
Santa Maria city and business leaders have worked to attract higher education programs and heralded the announcement of ATSU’s arrival in 2019.
“We are excited to welcome this first group of students to the Santa Maria location of A.T. Still University,” Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino said. “Our city and community are thrilled to see this expanded local opportunity for higher education. There is a demand for skilled medical professionals in our region’s growing health care industry. Santa Maria is a great place to live and work, and we welcome the students on their journey.”
The Central Coast Physician Assistant Program will span 24 months, with one year on campus in Santa Maria for the pre-clinical phase of the program.
Students then will enter the clinical phase, including 30 weeks of supervised clinical practice experiences in various medical disciplines.
The clinical phase will occur primarily at one of the partnered Community Health Centers located across the United States. That includes Community Health Centers of the Central Coast.
Upon graduating, new physical assistants will deliver care in various specialities, including family medicine, general internal medicine, general pediatrics, women’s heath and behavioral health/psychiatry.
“One of the most innovative aspects of this new program is the alliance with our nation’s community health centers and their communities. Students will directly experience and understand the impact of quality health care and public health benefits on individuals and communities,” said Gary Cloud, vice president for strategic university partnerships.
Established in 1892 by A.T. Still, the founder of osteopathy, the programs still focus on whole person health care.
ATSU offers master’s degrees across allied health disciplines and doctorates in osteopathic medicine, dental medicine, athletic training, audiology, health administration, health education, health sciences, medical sciences, nursing practice, occupational therapy and physical therapy.
— Noozhawk North County editor Janene Scully can be reached at jscully@noozhawk.com. Follow Noozhawk on Twitter: @noozhawk, @NoozhawkNews and @NoozhawkBiz. Connect with Noozhawk on Facebook.