Ohio Dominican University was the first university in central Ohio to offer a Master of Science degree in  Physician Assistant Studies and graduated its first class in the Fall of 2014. Most recently, the 10th cohort graduated from ODU in December of 2023 with 50 graduates receiving their long white coats. There was no attrition in the class, bringing the total number of ODU PA graduates to 489. Many of the graduates have already accepted jobs in different specialties including Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Women’s Health, Orthopedic Surgery, Trauma Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Urgent Care Medicine, Neuro Critical Care, Gastroenterology, and Neonatology. Others have pursued fellowships in Family Medicine and Surgical  specialties.

Additionally, cohort 10 achieved a 96% first-time PANCE pass rate, above the national average of 92%. Students from cohort 11, who entered the program in August of 2022, finished their didactic coursework and began the first of their 12 months spent in various clinical sites. Cohort 12 has begun the second semester of their didactic phase taking courses such as pharmacology, experiential clinical preparation, physical diagnosis, and clinical medicine. Most students in cohort 13 have been selected and will arrive on campus later this year in August.

In addition to offering high quality educational training and diverse clinical rotations, Ohio Dominican’s PA Program is a service-oriented atmosphere. Through partnerships with organizations in Central Ohio, ODU PA students get to engage in service opportunities throughout the community. Students have volunteered at LifeTown Columbus, a simulated town that helps students with special needs build real-world transition skills, participated in a blood drive in partnership with The American Red Cross, hosted high school students from The Charles School to promote the PA profession, and visited the Mohun Health Care Center. Students in cohort 12 also look forward to volunteering during the spring and summer semesters at the Columbus Free Clinic, the Guadalupe Center, and The Columbus Dream Center, among other service opportunities.

ODU had the amazing opportunity to host the first in-person PA OlymPAcs since the pandemic in October. Students had a great time with many other PA programs from around Ohio in attendance. Just a few weeks later in November, friends and family joined both former and current students as well as faculty at our annual PAlooza Formal. This event was enjoyed by all, and plans for the next PAlooza are already underway.

 

We are so proud of all of ODU’s graduated students and excited about the leadership of our hard-working current students. Students are enjoying all of their experiences both inside and outside of the classroom and are proud to be a part of a program led by the most wonderful faculty that develops students into well-qualified, professional, and holistic healthcare leaders.

 

Ohio Dominican University PA Program by the Numbers:

First-time PANCE Pass Rate	2023 Grads Earning White Coast	Class of 2025 Cohort
96%	50 Students	49 Students