Highly successful physician assistant program welcomes the class of 2017
As the need for skilled clinicians grows in the nation’s health care system, the University of Manitoba prepares to welcome the next incoming class of physician assistant students to bolster our province’s health workforce.
Slated to proudly recite the Hippocratic Oath – swearing to fulfill the role of a medical professional responsibly and ethically – the four male and eight female class is an accomplished and diverse group.
Among those who will receive their first-ever white coat are: a PhD student; five students whom have earned a master’s degree; seven students consider themselves rural or with a rural upbringing hailing from Inuvik, Thompson, Pinawa, Flin Flon, Swan Lake, The Pas, and Southern Saskatchewan; two students who were practicing physiotherapists for the past four years; and one graduate of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School.
Up to 12 candidates are accepted into the two-year program offered through the College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences and Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Manitoba. Being the first and only Physician Assistant master’s training program in Canada, the program attracts applicants from across the nation.
The Master of Physician Assistant Studies program received over 160 applications for the fall 2015 intake year and a minimum of two applications from each province. Of those accepted into the Class of 2017, 11 students are from Manitoba and one from Alberta.
Who: Physician Assistant Class of 2017
What: Inaugural Day Exercises
When: Friday, September 4, 2015 from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Where: John Buhler Research Centre Atrium, 715 McDermot Avenue, Bannatyne Campus, University of Manitoba
“This is especially an exciting time for the PA program as the retention rate for physician assistants studying in Manitoba has had an excellent three-year streak and all 12 of the most recent PA grads have accepted positions in Manitoba,” says Dr. Brian Postl, Dean of Medicine; Dean & Vice-Provost (Health Sciences).
The Honourable Sharon Blady Minister of Health, Province of Manitoba, and Dr. Anna Ziomek Registrar, The College of Physicians & Surgeons of Manitoba will be in attendance and are scheduled to speak.
New physician assistant students will be available for interviews following the Inaugural Day Exercises.
For more information contact Ilana Simon, Director of Communications & Marketing, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, 204-789-3427 or cell 204- 295-6777 or ilana.simon@umanitoba.ca.