Hofstra PA Students Educate the Community

This past March, members of the Hofstra University chapter of The Student Academy of the American Academy of Physician Assistants visited Roosevelt High School on Long Island to educate graduating seniors about the physician assistant profession. Each member of the PA student team discussed the responsibilities of a PA, as well as academic requirements, education, and scholarship opportunities that exist at Hofstra University. The high school students were very receptive, in part because the Hofstra contingent are students themselves, and understand the challenges they are facing. Jennifer Duperval, Student Diversity Representative, states, "We were inspired by the mission of Project Access, a philanthropic outreach program designed to inspire and motivate underrepresented minority youths to pursue a career as a physician assistant. By talking to students about becoming a PA, we can increase the number of minorities applying to our program. We believe that more cultural and ethnic diversity among physician assistants and other health care providers will ultimately improve access to health care in underrepresented communities. Meeting these high school students was a great way to give back to our community and our profession". The Hofstra's PA students characterized the experience as "amazing" and believe the students of Roosevelt High School were greatly enlightened as a result of their visit.

Hofstra PA Students to Receive a National Health Service Corps Scholarship

Patricio Fuentes, Class of 2012 and Melanie Lerner, Class of 2013, both received the distinguished National Health Service Corps scholarship. Students in select medical, dental and mental health professions compete for this national scholarship program that pays tuition, fees and provides a living stipend to students enrolled in accredited medical programs. Upon graduation, scholarship recipients serve as primary care providers between two and four years in a community-based site in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA). Awards are made to applicants most committed to serving underserved people and most likely to build successful careers in HPSAs and meet future needs for care throughout the Nation. Congratulations to Patricio and Melanie for meeting this call to service.

Horvath Continues Appointment to National Advisory Council of the National Health Service Corps

Program director Theresa Horvath has, for the past nearly four years, continued a commitment to the underserved via her appointment to the National Advisory Council of the National Health Service Corps (NHSC). The committee primarily focuses on recommendations regarding healthcare implementation and improvement in health-related shortage areas in the United States. Her appointment to the NHSC advisory council further augments and exemplifies her profound dedication to improving health care in areas of need.

PA Students Raise Money for Breast Cancer Awareness

On Sunday, October 16th, PA students and faculty joined more than 55,000 people to walk at the American Cancer Society's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in Jones Beach State Park. Together, $2,900,000 was raised! Hofstra PA Program students came just shy of their $1000 goal at $915. Congratulations to PA Program students for understanding the importance of and putting forth the effort to raise money for this important cause.

PA Week Celebrated with Blood and Bone Marrow Drive

Jessica Ash, PA-S
Hofstra University Program in Physician Assistant Studies

National PA week occurs every October 6-12 to pay tribute to the anniversary of the first graduating PA class at Duke University on October 6, 1967. In celebration of PA week, the Hofstra University Program in Physician Assistant Studies joined forces with the New York Blood Center and the Be the Match National Bone Marrow Donor Program to organize a campus blood drive and bone marrow registry. This was the third year that students coordinated this event in honor of the wonderful profession they have selected. Their efforts were rewarded with an extraordinary turnout of individuals eager to give back with simple gestures that could save another person’s life.

Student Representation on the NYSSPA Newsletter Committee

Congratulations to Kathleen Koenderman, Jessica Ash and Caroline Nguyen who has volunteered to serve on the NYSSPA Newsletter Committee. Their participation exemplifies student commitment to leadership, community service and the PA Profession. We hope their commitment to service will serve as an example for future students.

Theresa V. Horvath elected to the Physician Assistant Education Association

Theresa V. Horvath has been elected to the board of directors of the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA), the national organization representing physician assistant programs in the United States.  PAEA provides services for faculty at its member programs, as well as to applicants, students, and other stakeholders. Her work in this position will include making policies and providing strategic direction for the Association.

Loscalzo as the New York State Society of Physician Assistant (NYSSPA) Newsletter Editor

Associate director Carina Loscalzo, has accepted a position as Newsletter Editor for NYSSPA. She will be the chief officer in the production of NYSSPA News, a quarterly newsletter. In addition, Loscalzo is responsible for participating in the NYSSPA board of directors meetings, and membership outreach. She states that, “it is important to understand that students look to faculty as role models. Hopefully my service will help students recognize the importance of getting involved with local and state organizations as well as in the community”.

Program faculty participate in New York State Society of Physician Assistant (NYSSPA) Education Committee

Program faculty members, Carina Loscalzo and Shannan Ricoy, have become members of the NYSSPA Education Committee. The Education Committee determines the focus for PA educators during the national meeting and designs special tracks so that program faculty throughout the state can meet and discuss current topics that arise within New York State regarding the education of PAs.

Ricoy Volunteers for the New York State Society of Physician Assistant (NYSSPA) Conference Committee

Clinical coordinator Shannan Ricoy has agreed to join the NYSSPA conference committee, which is responsible for organizing next year’s annual conference in Saratoga Springs, NY. Her responsibilities include the identification of topics pertinent to NYSSPA members, securing lecturers as well as attending to the practical aspects of organizing a conference. Good luck Professor Ricoy!

Congratulations Hofstra NYSSPA Jeopardy Team!!

The 2011 Hofstra University Jeopardy Team, comprised of physician assistant students Eddie Wansor, Jason Wieland and Jacqueline McQuade, took home the winning title after competing against 10 other schools at the New York State Society of Physician Assistants (NYSSPA) Medical Jeopardy competition. PA Program students will be honored with a pizza party and a Hofstra University plaque placed on the winning Jeopardy Trophy. Congratulations to the Hofstra Medical Jeopardy Team, and all the student and faculty supporters who came to Saratoga Springs to cheer them on!

• Academic excellence.
• Distinctive curriculum designed to augment the educational experience with emphasis on life-long learning and a team-approach to medicine.
• Highly dedicated, skilled and qualified faculty and staff focused on achieving student success.
• Curriculum emphasizes commitment to the underserved.
• Focus on importance of leadership and community service.
• Centrally located on Long Island allowing easy, quick access to areas of interest such as New York City and beaches.
• Diverse, well rounded clinical clerkship experiences allowing student access to varied learning environments.
• Hofstra’s beautiful campus grounds allow for an exciting yet tranquil environment conducive to learning and formulating new friendships with exceptional PA Program facilities.
• The curriculum at Hofstra is designed to meet the needs of applicants at different stages of their academic career. Applicants can apply as freshmen, transfer students or as graduate students.