On Saturday, April 24, the Physician Assistant classes of 2011 and 2012, along with PA faculty, represented Arcadia University at the eighth annual Physician Assistants Olympics in New Jersey, a fundraiser in which students from area programs compete in games created by the student and faculty representatives from the five local Philadelphia Physician Assistant programs. Participants were Arcadia University, Drexel University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia University and Salus University.

Michael Huber, Assistant Professor and Academic Coordinator in Arcadia’s Physician Assistant program, is one of the founders of the PA Olympics. He was pleased to have Arcadia students at the event, which begun seven years ago as a fun event and a fundraiser for a local charity. The charity is chosen each year by the student representatives of the area participating Physician Assistant programs.

“Arcadia competitors were red hot,” reports Huber, “as they competed in an Egg Speculum Race, Dodge the Flu game, a Lake Relay swim, a Tug-of-War, Trivia Challenge Bowl and other events. The competition was followed by the annual barbecue for students and faculty.”

The students chose a local charity before the Olympics and held a series of fundraising activities for the charity in the months leading up to the competition. This year, student leaders from the five PA programs presented a check in the amount of $1,625 to the Salvation Army’s Red Shield Family Residence. Later that day when Philadelphia University won the trophy for day’s events, the President of Philadelphia University added another $450 to the funds. These funds will be used to build an inner city playground for local children. (Photos)