Double the number of UM physician assistant students set to start program
When Kimberly Dela Rosa crossed the stage to receive her first stethoscope during the master of physician assistant studies’ (MPAS) Inaugural Exercises on Aug. 30 she said it felt surreal to be part of the program’s largest class ever.
Kimberly Dela Rosa
“I feel like it’s a dream come true,” said Dela Rosa, who immigrated to Winnipeg from the Philippines at age 12 and worked as a dental assistant for more than a decade. “I know I have to work hard over the next two years, but I’m almost there.”
Dela Rosa is one of 30 MPAS students starting the program this fall. In previous years, 15 students were admitted annually.
With five physician assistant programs in Canada, UM’s was one of the first two programs in the country to launch in 2008, and the first at the master’s level.
Rebecca Mueller, program director of MPAS, addressed the audience gathered in the Brodie Centre atrium and congratulated the Class of 2026.
“It is with great excitement and a true deep sense of pride that I stand today with you to officially welcome an expanded class,” Mueller said. “It’s truly a historic moment, not only for our institution, but also for each one of you who have chosen this path.”
Dr. Peter Nickerson, vice-provost (health sciences) and dean of the Max Rady College of Medicine and the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, thanked the Government of Manitoba for its support in expanding the program to meet the demand for physician assistants across the province.
MPAS Class of 2026 students recite the Physician’s Pledge.
“This emphasizes the crucial role that physician assistants play in our health-care system and their invaluable contributions to patient care,” Nickerson said.
Tuxedo MLA Carla Compton spoke on behalf of provincial Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara.
“I want to thank each one of you for choosing to step into this program to become physician assistants. This is a challenging time in health care, but this is also a time of opportunity and innovation,” Compton said.
Elder Charlotte Nolin, Elder-in-residence at Ongomiizwin – Indigenous Institute of Health and Healing in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, gave the opening prayer. Dr. Ainslie Mihalchuk, registrar at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Manitoba; Kali Braun, Manitoba Director of the Canadian Association of Physician Assistants; and Dr. Sheldon Permack, associate head of the department of family medicine, also spoke at the Inaugural Exercises.
Jess Neufeld
Along with being presented with their first stethoscopes, the MPAS students recited the Physician’s Pledge.
First-year learner Jess Neufeld said it was an honour to recite the pledge along with his new classmates.
“My whole family assumes many different roles in health care and my dad is a physician. I was actually at his white coat ceremony in this atrium many years ago when I was little,” said Neufeld, who was a member of the Canadian national long-track speedskating team for four years. “So, it was really neat for me to experience the same thing and be a part of this growing profession.”
Melissa Pearson
First-year MPAS student Melissa Pearson said it all felt real when she was reciting the pledge.
“I felt the seriousness of the profession that we’re going into,” said Pearson, who worked as a registered dietitian for the past two years. “Everybody was not just saying the pledge because it’s on a pamphlet we were handed. We’re all 100 per cent committed. I think that was really evident and really sunk in when we said the pledge today.”