177 PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM In fall 2020, Harding’s physician assistant master’s program reached their one millionth patient encounter. The physician assistant program was a 28-month master of science curriculum, training students in different body systems, disease processes and diagnosis procedure. The program began in 2005 as the first physician assistant program in the state of Arkansas. In March 2020, the University stopped in person classes due to COVID-19, leaving the physician assistant students to learn their usual hands-on material online. On June 29, 2020, the program was the first group let back on campus to continue with in-person classes. Mary Madill, associate professor and director and chair of the physician assistant program, was a part of the first physician assistant’s class at Harding University. Madill said she had great experiences, both as a student and a professor. “Our professors and the program director were just so passionate about how we were taught to treat people,” Madill said. “It was always that idea of asking ‘why’ for your patient, because you’re never satisfied with making assumptions. You are trained to really dig in and try to find answers for the patient.” The first half of the program was dedicated to didactic work while the second half included clinical rotations and dealt with in-person patients. The students logged every patient they saw, keeping track of the procedures they completed and those still in progress. Kristen Lund, current physician assistant student, said she was amazed by her program’s accomplishments and the milestones they achieved for the University and the state. “Just knowing all the students before us have seen that many patients, it is amazing because we were the first physician assistant’s program in the state of Arkansas,” Lund said. “To hit that many encounters, and to think about that many experiences with so many patients we have touched is just really cool. It is definitely a huge accomplishment for the program.” The physician assistant’s program reached their one millionth patient encounter in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tracy Mare, 2020 physician assistant student, said she was proud of her program and all healthcare workers persevering during the pandemic. “Hitting the one million mark in the middle of a pandemic just really shows that from a healthcare standpoint, nobody has been afraid and no one has backed down,” Mare said. “Everyone said, ‘Hey let’s keep going. We are here to help.’ This is what we have prepared and trained for, and why we’ve stayed up all night studying.” story by Garcelle Hodge ASSISTING BY THE MILLIONS Ashley Hallbauer practices treating a patient. The PA program reached their one millionth patient in fall 2020. | photo by Jeff Montgomery Physician assistant program reaches one millionth patient.
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