Living out the mission Physician Assistant masters project epitomizes the graduate program Harding's physician assistant program, the first in Arkansas, was a difficult but rewarding program, according to several program participants. Being a PA included working under a physician or a surgeon, examining patients, diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries. PA student Kim Carlon graduated from the program in 2012 after earning her B.S. in biology in Dec. 2009. She chose the PA program because she always wanted to help people as a medical professional. Carlon said the Christian atmosphere of the program fostered a supportive environment. When students struggled academically , their peers helped out. Students also shared academic resources and studied together. "One thing that makes our program unique from other schools and other programs is that we are really supportive of each other," Carlon said. "At the end of the day we all want to be out there helping people." P.A. student Dia Gibson, who completed her undergraduate degree in exercise science May 2012, described the program as rigorous but rewarding. "It has been explained this it is 75 percent of the information in 50 percent of the time as compared to medical school," Gibson said. Gibson said that the fundamental difference between the average PA program and the Harding's program was that the program focused on spreading God's kingdom through healthcare. Since one of the career requirements was to give physical examinations, the students practiced their skills on willing friends and family, which Gibson said was entertaining and useful for developing practical skills. Students also did clinical rotations in several different locations. For example, Carlon did her nine required clinical rotations in Little Rock, Clinton, Newport, Cabot, Springdale and Garland, Texas. The students' Christian values were evident in their clinical rotation locations. "I know patients can see the difference in the way Harding students treat them, and that treatment leads to great patient relationships and opportunities for sharing faith," Gibson said. The PA program built the students' confidence in their ability to help others, encouraged their patients, and was an opportunity to spread healthcare for the kingdom of God. KoryHoward In the clinical skills development class, first year physician assistant student Drew Harper exhales air while Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Scott Greene presses on the spirometer button Nov. 14. Pulmonary function tests assessed an individual's ability to breathe. Hillary Miller Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders 2 majors I 9 faculty 118 courses est.2001 College of Nursing 12 faculty I 24 courses est.2005 Physician Assistant Program 7 faculty 1 33 courses Health Sciences I 99
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