hands on -- educat\on ''I have alwayswantedtowork closely with people and help care for them," graduate student Holly Gaines said. "Ever since I was young, I have wanted to go into health care. I saw the PA career as an opportunity to help others through medicine while still having time to devote to my family." Gaines and many others fulfilled their wish to help people through Harding's physician's assistant program. Begun in 2005, it had since blossomed with a 2010 incoming class of 36 students representing 12 different states. Designed to include 28 months of classes, clinical rotations and job placement, the program was constantly gaining strength. "I loved the way everyone interacted at the interview," graduate student Lacie Whitten said, speaking about her experience applying for the program. "It was very much a contrast to the other program I interviewed for. I could tell they all wanted to be here." Students in the physician's assistant program trained with the goal of specializing in a specific area of medicine, and in order to prepare them properly, the group often took fieldtri ps to faci Iitate hands-on experience and hear from active professionals. Through this simulation, they also learned how to interact with patients. During the fall of 2010, the PA class visited the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Eye Center as a part of their HEENT (Head Eye Ear Nose and Throat) unit. At UAMS, students heard from ophthalmic medical technologist students who gave seminars sharing what their work in ophthalmology involved. "We were ab.le to see the different tests they do and equipment they use there," Whitten said. "It was helpful in developing a more all-around understanding of eye care." Another fieldtrip took the students to Dr. Hatfield's ear, nose and throat doctor's office at the Searcy Medical Center. Physician's assistant graduate student Brittany Sullivan volunteered to be a patient on the trip, and Hatfield numbed her throat and nose, allowing the students to view her larynx through a scope. "The field trips we take solidify the things we are learning in class," Sullivan said. The students spoke highly of the program in many ways, but what they valued most were the hearts of the professors. "I think the main thing that stands out about Harding's PA program is the support we have from our faculty," Gaines said. "They are extremely involved and want to see everyone succeed.Their constant encouragement is what helps to get many of us through this tough curriculum." Whitten agreed there were definite advantages to having a tight-knit group of students sharing the same goal and faculty who offered Christian leadership and support. "I love Harding's PA program because of both the subject matter and the incredible support group the class and faculty is to each of us," Whitten said. "It is so encouraging to have this group surrounding me caring so much that I learn and succeed." Monique Jaques Row 1: D. Par~ C. Proctor.! Mills. S. Yi. Row 2: S. Squires, P.Oboh, D. Warfield. H. Suh, A Laurich, j. Dobbour, M. Harris Row 3: R Story (sponsor), B. Grocce, L Lee. H. Son, C. Nguyen, M. Young, E. Roberts. T. Karch, M. Garfield. A Davidson, M. Menezes. Row 4: I\. Limson, S. Hubler, T. Reeves, C. Holland (sponsor), T. Duong, C. Choi, A Sowers, B. Miller. Row 1: I\. Powers, A Younger. H. Wilkerson. I\. McKeever. B. Payne, M. Sollee. Row 2: D. Duke (sponsor), B. Clor~ j. Martin, P.Mougeri, D. Hardison, L Wright C. Whitfield Row 3: I\. Stewart, S Weare, P. Pugh, C. Loftis, I\. Barnett, M. Albright P. Phom, C. Kirkman, D. Ellis, I\. Pierce. 2 38 organizations
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