Physician Assistant Global Experiences
Arcadia’s Physician Assistant (PA) program offers a variety of optional experiences that broaden the perspective of a traditional medical education, including service opportunities and international clinical experiences. Many of our students find the experience of service or international practice to be an illuminating piece of their medical education. These experiences can offer unique perspectives on how medical care differs in various communities, both domestically and internationally. The availability of these opportunities, particularly internationally, vary year by year and capacity may limit the number of students able to participate in these experiences.
International Clinical Rotations
These experiences enable participating students to spend four weeks internationally with a supervising clinician providing health care in a variety of clinical settings. Currently, Arcadia PA students study in ten countries around the world, including South Africa, Bolivia, England, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, Ireland, South Asia, and Italy.
Student costs for international clinical rotation opportunities typically range from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the location of the experience. We offer limited scholarships to eligible students towards the cost of international initiatives.
Medical Service Trip
This year marked our third consecutive collaboration with MedLife, organizing an interdisciplinary healthcare team for an 8-day medical service trip to Lima and Cusco, Peru. Our team of 34 participants included 22 PA students, 2 physicians, 3 licensed PA faculty members, one outside licensed PA and adjunct faculty member, an administrator, a University of Delaware professor and her senior pre-PA student, an Arcadia PA alumna and adjunct faculty member, and 2 high school students interested in healthcare.
During this trip, we completed three mobile clinic days–two in Lima and one in Cusco–offering diverse cultural experience through our work in underserved urban and rural communities. Our team completed 657 adult and child patient encounters across primary care, dental, women’s health, and diagnostic ultrasound. Additionally, we executed a public health project to build greenhouses for two families, enhancing their financial sustainability.
The trip concluded with a visit to the iconic Machu Picchu, providing a memorable end to our service journey. This year’s trip with MedLife was a profound success, combining medical service with cultural exchange and learning. Our preparation and dedicated efforts allowed us to make a significant impact on the health and well-being of the communities we served, while also enriching the educational experience of our participants.
Michael Huber Honored with Medical Humanitarian Service Award by the Ministry of Health in Cusco, Peru read more…..Here is the link to the published story.
PA Olympics
The PA Olympics, an annual event uniting the leadership of local Physician Assistant (PA) faculty and students, continues to make a significant impact on the community by fostering collaboration and service towards charitable causes. Founded in 2003 by Professor Michael Huber, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, Associate Program Director and Director of Outreach in the Department of Medical Science at Arcadia University, the PA Olympics has become a hallmark event for PA programs in the surrounding area. Each year, PA students from institutions including Arcadia University, Alvenia University, DeSales University, Drexel University, Salus University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Temple University, Saint Joseph’s University, West Chester University, Delaware Valley University, Jefferson University East Falls/New Jersey, and Jefferson University Center City, come together to support a chosen local charitable organization.
The PA Olympics fundraising efforts kick off with individual program initiatives and a combined fundraiser at Lucky Strike, all in support of the designated charity. Over a three-month period, teams engage in fundraising activities culminating in The Amazing Race, a thrilling race through the streets of Philadelphia. Teams solve riddles, tackle challenges, and navigate landmarks, showcasing their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
This year, the PA Olympics has rallied behind the noble mission of For Pete’s Sake, a Cancer Respite Foundation dedicated to providing transformative experiences for cancer patients and their families. The fundraising efforts are dedicated to the memory of Adam Moore, a beloved member of the physician assistant education community, whose dedication to PA Olympics and boundless generosity continue to inspire. The culmination of the PA Olympics is a celebratory closing party at Moriarty’s Irish Pub, where participants gather to honor their fundraising achievements. The school that raises the most funds receives a symbolic trophy, recognizing their dedication and generosity. Additionally, the victorious team of The Amazing Race earns a trophy, celebrating their triumph in the thrilling competition. More information on PA Olympics
From its humble beginnings, the PA Olympics has made a significant impact, donating over a quarter of a million dollars to local charities and leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals within the community.
