Methodist University Physician Assistant Program Receives Grant

Cumberland County Medical Society Alliance Awards Grant to the Physician Assistant Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NOVEMBER 21, 2007
MARIA SIKORYAK-ROBINS
DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSITY PUBLICATIONS

Pictured from left to right: Dr. Christopher Aul, PA Program medical director; Ron Foster, PA Program director; Lucy Jones, Medical Alliance Grants chair; and Methodist University President Dr. M. Elton Hendricks.

FAYETTEVILLE, NC—The Methodist University Physician Assistant Program has received a grant from the Cumberland County Medical Society Alliance in the amount of $8,308.90. The funds will be used to purchase a spirometer system, three venipuncture extremity models, an ear examination training model, an eye examination training model, and six educational training films for use in the program.

The Cumberland County Medical Society Alliance, an organization of physicians’ spouses, was formed in 1928 to improve the quality of life in Cumberland County by promoting health and health education projects. The Medical Society Alliance has been making community awards for health projects since that time. The major recipients of their awards have been the Care Clinic, Stanton Hospital House, and annual scholarships to FTCC nursing students. The alliance is particularly proud to have founded the Stanton Hospitality House connected with the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation.

The Methodist University Physician Assistant Program, one of only four in the state, was established in 1996. Accredited at the national level by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistants (ARC-PA), this program is recognized as a very high quality and competitive program. The national board pass rate for MU graduates during the history of the program is 98 percent. The pass rate for the past five years (2002-2006) is 96 percent as compared to the national average of 90 percent. More than 82 percent of the 132 graduates of this program are practicing in North Carolina, with most in medically underserved areas.

Methodist University is an independent four-year institution of higher education with over 2,100 students from 41 states and 30 countries. Methodist University offers over 70 majors and concentrations, three master’s degree programs, and 19 NCAA III intercollegiate sports. For more information, please contact the Development Office at (910) 630-7200.