Members of the master of physician assistant studies Class of 2027 recite the Physician’s Pledge at the Inaugural Exercises.
Physician assistant students excited to start program
Sydney Larence was working at the Health Sciences Centre last summer when she grabbed a coffee in Brodie Centre. In the atrium, the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Inaugural Exercises just happened to be taking place.
Larence took a photo of the event and sent it to her mom with the message, “Hopefully this is me next year.”
Sydney Larence
This year, it was her. Larence was one of 30 MPAS learners in the Class of 2027 who took part in the Inaugural Exercises on August 29 on the Bannatyne campus. The event officially welcomes the learners to the program and includes the Stethoscope Ceremony and the recitation of the Physician’s Pledge.
“It was a full-circle moment. Being a physician assistant is something that I’ve wanted for almost eight years. It’s really incredible,” said Larence, who is Métis and Jewish, and is passionate about Indigenous care and integrating Indigenous knowledge into the health-care system.
The MPAS program is competitive. UM received 240 applications for just 30 spots, which increased last year from 15 to meet the growing need for physician assistants in Manitoba.
Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, spoke to the students about the importance of interprofessional collaboration during their training and after graduation.
“There’s growing evidence that health care professionals working together as part of an interdisciplinary team improves the quality of care and patient outcomes,” Nickerson said.
Yuxi Ramirez
Yuxi Ramirez could relate to the importance of working as a team. Before entering the MPAS program, she worked as a dental assistant and a medical clerk. She hopes to bring her experience working on collaborative teams to her new career.
“I learned a lot about teamwork and working in a very fast-paced environment, so I really hope that prepares me for the future as a physician assistant,” said Ramirez, who was born in Colombia and immigrated to Brandon, Man., at the age of 11.
Provincial Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara and Advanced Education and Training Minister Renée Cable addressed the students.
“Dr. Nickerson shared some really important stats with all of you, but the stat he didn’t talk about was how many of you we need to stay in Manitoba after you’re done – and that is 100 per cent of you,” Asagwara said.
Kale Mayor
Kale Mayor plans on doing just that. He wants to return to his hometown of Thompson, Man., after his two years of training.
“I discovered the physician assistant (PA) profession when I got into university. I got to shadow some PAs and see the impact they have on health care. Being a northern boy, I want to go back and have that same impact as a PA,” said Mayor, who completed his bachelor of health sciences at UM in 2024.
Before the students were presented with stethoscopes, Rebecca Mueller, program director of MPAS, shared the symbolism behind the ceremony.
“Receiving your first stethoscope serves as a milestone in the life of every PA student,” Mueller said.
“The stethoscope represents the relationship between the practitioner and the patient, highlighting the most important part of health care, as the stethoscope is only useful when there is communication between the practitioner and the patient because you must first and foremost listen.”
Ramirez said that during the stethoscope ceremony, she was excited and happy to be part of the program.
“It was probably the most exciting moment of my life,” she said.
View an Instagram Reel recapping the Inaugural Day Exercises or watch the full event on YouTube.