Dec. 19, 2009, is a banner day at South College.
It’s graduation day for our first 27 students to complete the Masters of Health Science degree in our Physician Assistant Studies program. This diverse group completed 15 months of classroom training followed by a 12-month clinical phase that included rotations all across East Tennessee.
Our inaugural class is a great one, filled with exceptional students who will make wonderful health care providers. Our own Kim Sanders was named PA Student of the Year by the Tennessee Academy of Physician Assistants at the Academy’s recent conference based on her academic excellence, professionalism and commitment to community service. Kim Rose, who earns her degree this year, is a former combat medic in Iraq and has contributed much to the program. Rob White is graduating as an officer in the U.S. Army. The class is full of motivated, compassionate and highly qualified individuals.
The variety of experiences each student brings to the class helps enrich the program and better prepare our graduates for exciting careers. And as the only Physician Assistant Studies program in Knoxville, our applicants come from a wide geographic area. This year we had over 675 applicants vying for approximately 50 spots available in this program. The selection process is intense.
South College has a rigorous and challenging program for Physician Assistant Studies. But when they are through, the students are well prepared for a rewarding and exciting career.