Welcome to Physician Assistant Studies


ECU PA Studies values, celebrates, and respects the differences in all humans. We strive to matriculate students of backgrounds that are representative of the patient populations in eastern North Carolina. We empower ECU PA students to promote healthcare literacy, wellness, and reduction in healthcare disparities among these patient populations.

Institutional and Professional Licensure Disclosures for Enrolled and Prospective Students

nccpa_logoCompletion of the educational requirements for the ECU PA Program satisfy the professional licensure and/or certification requirements in North Carolina as well as all the states, districts, and territories of the United States. All our graduates are entitled to sit for PA National Certification Examination administered by the NCCPA.

 


Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to prepare physician assistant graduates through educational and clinical experiences to improve the health and well-being of patients while increasing access to primary medical care in eastern North Carolina and the state. We seek to achieve this mission in an educational community where faculty, staff, clinical instructors, students, and other health care providers work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect, cooperation, compassion, and commitment.

 

 

Vision Statement

The vision of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to offer our students educational and experiential opportunities that will allow them to exceed national standards of medical competence as graduates. Our students will develop the professional discernment and human empathy that will facilitate their ability to merge technology and compassionate care throughout their careers as physician assistants.

Educational Philosophy Statement

We are dedicated to providing the highest quality education and instruction possible by immersing faculty and students in an environment that cultivates a sense of academic, professional, and service excellence. We respond to suggestions for modification and enrichment of the program from all who participate in the educational process because we view learning as a reciprocal and collegial interaction.

Program Goals:

These goals support the mission and vision of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Our goals are to educate future physician assistants who:

#1: Possess the appropriate knowledge and skills to succeed in clinical practice.

Benchmark
: 1st time PANCE rate at or above the National average.

1st time PANCE rate at or above the National averageNational Average ECU AverageGoal
Class 202093%97%Met
Class 202193%97%Met
Class 202292%100%Met
Class 202392%100%Met

Benchmark: 90% of graduates are satisfied or very satisfied ECU PA prepares them to enter the workforce.

How satisfied are you that your PA education at ECU prepared you to enter the workforce as a PA?Class 2020Class 2021Class 2022
Very Satisfied48.15%30.77%67.86%
Satisfied48.15%65.38%28.57%
Total 96.30%96.15%96.43%
Goal MetMetMet

Benchmark: 100% of students pass the summative exam (assessment of clinical practice readiness, skills and professionalism).

Students Passing Summative Exam PercentageGoal
Class 2020100%Met
Class 2021100%Met
Class 2022100%Met
Class 2023100%Met

#2: Are from North Carolina and have a desire to practice in and serve the communities of rural and/or medically underserved North Carolina.

Benchmark: 80% of matriculates will be from North Carolina.

Matriculates from North CarolinaPercentageGoal
Class 202092%Met
Class 202195%Met
Class 202294%Met
Class 202397%Met

Benchmark: 20% of Alumni reports on survey 6 months after graduation that that they work in a Medically Underserved  and/or Health Professional Shortage area.

Practice in a Medically Underserved and/or Health Professional Shortage areaPercent of respondentsGoal
Class 202029.00%Met
Class 202139.13%Met
Class 202261.54%Met
Class 2023 34.38%Met

Benchmark: All ECU PA students have one or more clinical rotations located in areas designated as rural and/or medically underserved.

One or more Core Clinical Rotations in a Medically Underserved and/or Rural Area Goal
Class 2020 Met
Class 2021 Met
Class 2022Met
Class 2023Met

#3: Are called to serve in primary care, providing patient-centered comprehensive care to those patient populations.

Benchmark: 25% of Alumni report on survey 6 months after graduation that they work in Primary Care.

202020212022
Family medicine33.00%8.00%17.86%
General internal medicine4.00%12.00%21.43%
Geriatrics0.00%8.00%0.00%
General pediatrics0.00%0.00%3.57%
Total 37.00%28.00%42.86%
Goal MetMetMet

#4: Represent the community we serve.

Benchmark: 20% of matriculating cohorts will have students with one or more of the following attributes: 1st generation college, military service, bilingual, low socioeconomic household, and/or from a geographically medically underserved area (MUA).

AttributesClass of 2022Class of 2023Class of 2024
1st Generation College8.57%2.78%19.44%
Military Service0%5.56%2.78%
Bilingual31%30.56%5.56%
Low Socioeconomic Household17.14%22.22%16.67%
Geographical Area20%22.22%52.78%
Goal MetMetMet