For the fourth time in six years, all of the graduates of the College’s Physician Assistant Program passed the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA) national certification exam.
The 100 percent pass rate far exceeds the national average pass rate of 83 percent.

Dean Paul D. Sarvela of the College of Applied Sciences and Arts, said, “The results speak to the quality of instruction as well as the caliber of students in our program. These most recent test statistics build on the work and results of many previous years of testing, and more importantly, quality instruction," he said.

"To November 2, 2004, we have had 176 PA program grads, and 174 have passed their national certification exam on their first try. The other two passed on their second try. These are remarkable test statistics and provide us with several years of information documenting excellence in the classroom and clinics."

Program Director Laurie R. Dunn said, "We are always very excited and very pleased our students do well, I think it shows the dedication of our faculty, staff and students to achieve and be the best they can be."

The physician assistant program is in its eighth year. To graduate, students complete seven semesters in 26 months. To practice as a physician assistant in the United States, students must graduate from a nationally accredited program and then pass the NCCPA exam.

The NCCPA is the only certification body for physician assistants, and has representation on its board from various physician-constituent groups, including family practitioners and surgeons.

About 75 percent of graduating students return to rural and underserved areas in Illinois. Sarvela sees that trend continuing because students become comfortable working in their clinical settings and enjoy their work. They also learn through their clinical rotations of the "tremendous need for their skills in rural and other underserved areas," said Sarvela.

"We are committed to meeting the health care needs of central and Southern Illinois. Our PA grads play an important role in providing health care in the underserved areas, and, we continue to emphasize the need for providers in the central and southern part of the state," Sarvela said. “The program is a perfect example of the type of program that Southern@150, the SIUC strategic plan, seeks to build, strengthen and celebrate."

The program will move to a master's level format over the next few years.

For more information on the program, contact program director Laurie R. Dunn at 618-453-8850.