11/19/2023

PA Program Spotlight: Ohio Dominican University

Newsletter Article - February 2023

When Ohio Dominican University started their PA program in 2012 it was the only program in Central Ohio to offer a Master of Science degree in Physician Assistant Studies. 10 years later ODU graduated its 9th cohort with 49 students receiving their long white coats. Many of the graduates have already accepted job offers in Dermatology, Acute Care Fellowship, Emergency Medicine, Orthopedic Surgery, Surgical ICU, Neurosurgery, Trauma, Internal Medicine, and Primary Care. The most common placements for the class of 2022 were Mid-Ohio Emergency Services (MOES), Kettering Health Systems, OhioHealth, University of Pittsburgh, Ohio State, Riverside, Doctor’s Hospital, and Baptist Health (Kentucky). Though PANCE pass rates have not been released for cohort 9, the cohort 8 boasted a 98% pass rate.

All 50 students from cohort 10, who entered the program in August of 2021, began their first of 12 clinical rotations in January. Cohort 11 has begun their second semester of didactic taking challenging courses such as clinical medicine and pharmacology. Many of the students in cohort 12 have been selected, and we excitedly await when they will join us in August.

One of the major pillars of Ohio Dominican's PA Program is a commitment to service. With this in mind, service opportunities have been readily provided to students as well as built into the curriculum. Our students have volunteered at LifeTown Columbus, an innovated program to help students with disabilities learn important life skills, visited the Mohun Health Care Center, collected hygiene items to for the Run the Race Center, donated over 20 units of blood in partnership with the Red Cross, and written holiday cards to incarcerated individuals. With Covid-19 travel restrictions lifted, ODU PA students begun planning to return to the Dominican Republic on a medical missions trip to help individuals in need.

Students were thrilled to attend the PAlooza, a formal event for students, faculty, and their families this September for the first time since the pandemic began. Plans for the next PAlooza are already in the works. Students also enjoyed participating in the PA Olympics and look forward to competing again this year.

We are so thrilled by the performance of our graduated students, and by the promise of our current students. More than anything we are grateful to be a part of a program led by faculty who have worked hard to create wonderful opportunities for us and alumni who have been so beloved by the Columbus community that they have left big shoes for us to fill.