Alex McKennon ’25MMS, MPH, a dual degree student in Arcadia University’s Physician Assistant (PA) and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs, will represent Arcadia in the planning of the 2024 PA Olympics as the constituent chapter student representative. McKennon worked with representatives from the 12 other participating PA programs to select the nonprofit organization the PA Olympics will support in 2024. All proceeds this year will go to For Pete’s Sake Cancer Respite Foundation.

“It has been a privilege to help lead an event that continues to grow its impact every year,” said McKennon. “It’s been very rewarding to collaborate with faculty and students from other local PA programs, and I love to see the growing enthusiasm for the event. PA school’s rigorous curriculum can be brutal at times. Events like PA Olympics not only benefit the community but also provide a welcomed fun and memorable reprieve for the students.”

In 2003, associate professor and associate director of Arcadia University’s PA program, Michael Huber, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, founded the annual Physician Assistant Olympics. The event challenges PA programs from different colleges and universities in the Greater Philadelphia area to compete in a fundraising competition, raising money for a local charity in the region. The competition culminates in April with “The Great Race,” which sees programs complete a race through Philadelphia with various challenges and obstacles along the way.

“I never imagined 22 years ago when I started this idea as a collaborative fundraising event just between three PA programs and only raised $1,400, that it would grow into 12 PA programs and raise over $25,000 each spring,” said Huber. “It makes me happy to see the spirit of giving back to our communities still so strong and committed within our local PA profession. That’s a legacy to be proud of building and teaching our students.”

Since its inception, the PA Olympics have raised a total of $219,101 for local charities. These charities include Philabundance, the Philadelphia Chapter of the ALS Association, Valley Against Sex Trafficking (VAST), and The Block Gives Back, among many others.