Hofstra PA Students Educate the Community

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

Samantha Walther, PA-S
Hofstra University Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Class of 2014

Students from the Hofstra University Physician Assistant Program took part in the 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk at Jones Beach this year on October 21, 2012. This was the third year in the row that the Program participated in the five-mile walk. Participation in the walk was organized by Kaitlynn Messinger, a second year Physician Assistant Student in the program. Students worked hard to raise money by collecting donations from the community, friends, and family. They significantly surpassed their goal to raise $1,000 by collecting over $2,500 in donations.

According to the American Cancer Society, over 60,000 people participated in the walk at Jones Beach and over 3 million dollars was raised for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society uses donations towards research, education, patient support, and advocacy programs in order to fight breast cancer.

PA Week Celebrated with Blood and Bone Marrow Drive

Caroline Nguyen, PA-S
Hofstra University Department of Physician Assistant Studies, Class of 2013

This year, Hofstra University’s 4^th Annual Fall Blood Drive was sadly cancelled in the wake of Hurricane Sandy’s destruction.  Hofstra University’s Physician Assistant Studies Program was committed to helping the community and worked with the New York Blood Center and Be the Match National Bone Marrow Donor Program to re-schedule the event and was able to successfully hold it on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.  Coincidently, the event happened to be re-scheduled for the day a Nor’easter storm hit, but the 3 classes of Physician Assistant students never feared the chilly and stormy weather and joined forces to run an information booth, collect bone marrow donations, and recruit students, faculty, and community members to donate.  In addition, students started a new breast cancer awareness section to the information booth.  The students this year, more than ever, understood the need for blood donations as many hospitals were running short of blood supplies post Sandy.   This year’s blood and bone marrow drive was able to generate a total of 110 donations, which will go to help save hundreds of lives.

The New York Blood Center is the largest community-based, non-profit organization that collects blood donations and distributes them throughout the United States.  Every 3 seconds, a person is in need of a blood transfusion.  Each unit of blood donated is able to save 3 lives and has a shelf life of only 42 days, which demonstrates the need for continual donation.  Be the Match National Bone Marrow Donor Program raises funds and obtains bone marrow donations to help patients locate match donors and the lifesaving treatment they desperately need.  Every year donations go to save patients who are diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, sickle cell and life-threatening disorders.  Hofstra University’s Physician Assistant Studies Program is proud to have collaborated with these two great organizations to honor the PA profession, but more importantly to save lives, educate, and give back to the community demonstrating the Program’s commitment to instilling the importance of philanthropic work to current and future classes of PA students. 

Student Representation on the NYSSPA Newsletter Committee

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

The Class of 2012 Research Poster Presentation:  Upcoming Leaders in the PA Profession

Upon completion of their courses in Epidemiology, Evidence Based Medicine, and Research Design and Analysis, the students completed a thesis based upon a clinically relevant topic for their Master of Science degree.

Students had the opportunity to partner with healthcare organizations, hospitals, and research institutes across Long Island and New York City where they conducted qualitative and quantitative research on pressing public health issues. Topics included smoking, obesity, health literacy, preventive health screening, sexual health, asthma, aging, and even driving safety. Some students evaluated novel health promotion interventions aimed to increase access to healthy foods, promote sexual self-efficacy and safety, disease self-management, and physical activity among patients at risk for diabetes and hypertension. Each student’s presentation marks the culmination of intense individual or team research and reflects the mastery of methodology and foundational knowledge. It is the program’s objective to promote the integrity of evidence based research and its application to the clinical decision-making process. 

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 is Named Chariperson of the Fall 2013 New York State Society of Physician Assistant (NYSSPA) Conference Committee

In the Fall of 2011, Clinical Coordinator Shannan Ricoy  agreed to join the NYSSPA's conference committee, which is responsible for organizing the annual conferences. She was recently nominated and accepted the role of Chair of the Fall 2013 Fall Conference, scheduled to be held in Tarrytown, New York.  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 or as graduate students.