SRU sets up physician assistant program
SLIPPERY ROCK — A new agreement will allow some Slippery Rock University students to join one of the fastest growing professions in the United States.
The agreement will allow a few students to spend four years at SRU and then spend two years at Chatham University in Pittsburgh to become physician assistants.
Wendy Stuhldreher, SRU’s assistant to the dean of the college of health, environment and science, said becoming a physician’s assistant is a popular choice for students.
“This is one of the hottest careers out there,” Stuhldreher said.
She cited the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, which states physician assistants are the third fastest growing profession in the U.S. and that employment of PAs is expected to increase 30 percent between 2010 and 2020.
“There is a projected huge market for them,” Stuhldreher said.
She said the job is popular because of its high pay, with a median income of $90,000, and flexible hours. Additionally, becoming a physician’s assistant takes less time and requires taking on much less debt than becoming a doctor.
“You’re making a difference in people’s lives,” Stuhldreher said.
PAs do many routine tasks in a doctor’s office, such as physical examinations and screenings. PAs also are allowed to prescribe some medications.
This allows physicians to have more time with patients who need more attention.
Stuhldreher said SRU has been discussing the agreement with Chatham since December 2011.
“We were trying to think of ways to get our students into professional schools,” Stuhldreher said. “(Chatham) took us up on the offer.”
There are four undergraduate majors students can choose to be eligible for the program: athletic training, biology, exercise science and public health.
Chatham is reserving two of the 70 seats in its program for SRU students.
The program began this fall. In 2016, the first two SRU students will go to Chatham.
