About the Department of Physician Assistant Studies

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Saint Joseph’s University Physician Assistant Program is to educate future physician assistants with a foundation in equitable, person-centered, evidence-based care, with a focus on primary care (family medicine), interprofessional healthcare and an exposure to underserved and diverse populations.

Program Goals

1. Develop the skills needed to practice evidence-based medicine and be effective lifelong learners.

Justification: The program expects all current students and all future graduates of the program to provide evidence-based medical care and exhibit lifelong learning skills.

Outcomes to be measured:

A.100% of students will achieve passing scores on their Masters’ Thesis Capstone project (a rapid review of the medical literature and poster presentation) as part of the Capstone course (PHA 604)

B. 100% of students will achieve passing scores in the Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Medicine (PHA 526), and Research Methods Designs, and Implementation (PHA 543) courses.

Actual outcomes:

A. Successful Course Completion – Capstone course (PHA 604)

a. TBD, the first cohort of students will complete the Capstone Course by September 9, 2022.

B. 100% of students in the Classes of 2022, and 2023 scored a passing grade in the Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Medicine (PHA 526), and Research Methods Designs, and Implementation (PHA 543) courses.

2. Prepare students with a strong foundation in primary care to function as entry-level members of the health care team that provides equitable, person-centered care.

Justification: According to data published by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges), the United States could see an estimated shortage of between 37,800 and 124,000 physicians by 2034, including shortfalls in both primary and specialty care. Our curriculum includes two 5-week long rotations in primary care, along with a special focus on the elderly and geriatrics (PHA 602 and 605) to help prepare graduates for a career in primary care with an overall aging population according to the United States Census Bureau. Additionally, the mission statement of the PA program includes providing our students a foundation in equitable, person-centered primary care.

Outcomes to be measured:

A. 5-year first time PANCE pass rate that meets or exceeds the national average.

B. 100% of students will graduate from the program with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA

C. 100% of students will achieve passing scores in the Family Medicine Rotations I & II (PHA 651, 652).

D. 100% of students will attain at minimum, an overall average score of 3.0/5.0 on the Preceptor’s Evaluation of Students on each supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs).

E. 100% of students will demonstrate proficiency on all summative examinations, OSCEs, medical notes, and clinical skills examinations

F. 100% of students will successfully complete all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs).

G. 100% of students will successfully complete all end-of-rotation exams

H. 100% of students will successfully complete the end-of-curriculum exam.

I. Graduate Exit Survey – 100% of students will strongly agree or agree that they are prepared to practice clinically in general.

J. Graduate Exit Survey – 100% of students will strongly agree or agree that they are prepared to practice equitable, person-centered care.

K. Graduate Exit Survey – 100% of students will strongly agree or agree that they are prepared to practice primary care medicine specifically.

Actual outcomes: 

A. First time PANCE taker pass rates vs national averages:

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

B. Cumulative overall GPA of each graduate above a 3.0:

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

C. Successful Family Medicine SCPE courses completed

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

D. Preceptor Evaluations of Students minimum 3.0/5.0 average

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

E. Summative exams, OSCEs, medical notes, and clinical skills exams:

a. 100% Class of 2022 have completed and demonstrated proficiency for all OSCEs and notes during the didactic portion of the curriculum. The remaining curriculum will end on September 9, 2022.

b. TBD, the Class of 2023 is currently in progress and completing their didactic portion of the curriculum.

F. SCPEs

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

G. End-of-Rotation exams

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

H. End-of-Curriculum exam

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

I. Graduation Exit Survey

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

J. Graduation Exit Survey

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

K. Graduation Exit Survey

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

3. Engage students in interprofessional medical education that will enable them to adapt to the changing health care environment, work with a healthcare team, and understand the various roles in healthcare.

Justification: Interprofessional collaboration is a key tenet of current medical practice. To provide high quality patient care current and future physician assistant students will need to work, communicate, and collaborate to optimize outcomes. Additionally, a focus on interprofessional healthcare is a major component to the mission of the PA program.

Outcomes measured:

A. 100% of students will participate in IPE training throughout both years of the curriculum with teams made up of medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing students.

B. 100% of students will achieve passing preceptor evaluations on all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in the areas of: professionalism, preventative care & counseling, medical knowledge & evidence-based decision making, clinical skills, and understanding various roles in health care.

C. Graduate Exit Survey – 100% of students will agree or strongly agree on the graduation exit survey that they are committed to interprofessional collaborative practice after graduation.

Actual outcomes:

A. 100% of students participate in at least 3 hours of programmed IPE training with other medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing students.

B. SCPE Preceptor Evaluations:

a. Results in progress, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

C. Graduation Exit Survey

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

4. Facilitate and cultivate the development of professional and ethical attitudes and behaviors essential to the role of a physician assistant and to provide equitable patient care.

Justification: Professionalism is among the highest core values of the PA profession and our program as noted by the adopted Guidelines for Ethical Conduct for the PA Profession published by the AAPA. The program expects all students to demonstrate the highest degree of professionalism and as noted by our mission, to possess a strong foundation in providing equitable patient care to all patients in all circumstances.

Outcomes to be measured:

A. 100% of students must pass the professionalism section of all preceptor evaluations of all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs)

B. 100% students will have a professionalism advising evaluation each semester

C. 100% students will successfully complete the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program in research, ethics, compliance, and safety

D. 100% students will successfully complete a mandatory Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.

E. Graduate Exit Survey – 100% of PA students will strongly agree or agree that they have a high personal standard of professionalism in behavior and ethical conduct to provide equitable patient care to all patients in all circumstances upon graduation.

Actual outcomes:

A. Professionalism Scores on SCPE Preceptor Evaluations

a. Results in progress, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

B. 100% of students have had a professionalism evaluation each semester completed by their faculty advisor

C. 100% students have successfully completed the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) program in research, ethics, compliance, and safety as a component of the Introduction to Research and Evidence Based Medicine course (PHA 526).

D. 100% of matriculated students have successfully completed a mandatory Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) training.

E. Graduation Exit Survey

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

5. Promote a person-centered approach to medicine that highlights critical thinking and medical problem-solving skills to all students.

Justification: The Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession as adopted and produced jointly by the four national PA organizations, recognizes the need for PAs to demonstrate investigative and critical thinking in clinical situations, utilize therapeutic decision making and clinical problem-solving skills, and provide person-centered care. The PA program Mission Statement also supports providing a foundation in person-centered care.

Outcomes to be measured:

A. 100% of students will successfully complete case-based Clinical Reasoning Conferences (CRCs) throughout the curriculum

B. 100% of students will complete supplemental, clinically challenging i-Human cases throughout the clinical year

C. 100% of students will successfully complete History and Physical Exam I (PHA 503) and History and Physical Exam II and Clinical Skills (PHA 522) courses.

D. 100% of students will demonstrate proficiency on all OSCEs and medical note writing exercises and assignments.

E. 100% of students will achieve passing preceptor evaluations on all supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in the areas of: professionalism, preventative care & counseling, medical knowledge & evidence-based decision making, clinical skills, and understanding various roles in health care.

F. 100% of PA students will strongly agree or agree that they are capable of promoting a person-centered approach to medicine, perform critical thinking, and utilize medical problem-solving skills upon graduation.

Actual outcomes:

A. 100% of students in the class of 2022 have completed case-based Clinical Reasoning Conferences (CRCs). The class of 2023 is still progressing through the curriculum and will complete these CRCs prior to graduation.

B. i-human cases:

a. Class of 2022: Results in progress, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

b. Class of 2023: Has not yet begun their clinical year

C. 100% of students have successfully completed the History and Physical Exam I (PHA 503) and History and Physical Exam II and Clinical Skills (PHA 522) courses.

D. OSCEs and Notes:

a. 100% of students from the class of 2022 have completed and demonstrated proficiency for all OSCEs and notes during the didactic portion of the curriculum. The remaining clinical year curriculum will end on September 9, 2022.

b. The Class of 2023 is currently in progress and completing their didactic portion of the curriculum and results are pending.

E. SCPE Preceptor Evaluations:

a. Results in progress, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

F. Graduation Exit Survey

a. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

6. Promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) throughout the program, with a focus on providing an exposure to underserved and diverse populations.

Justification: In accordance with the University Diversity Statement, and the PA program mission and policy on diversity, we support the integrative efforts throughout the University, the PA program, and curriculum to foster, promote, and support DEI initiatives and to create a culture of awareness, acceptance, and understanding.

Outcomes to be measured:

A. 100% of students will successfully complete a 4-part series on Disparities in Healthcare in Professional Practice III (PHA 606).

B. 100% of students will complete activities during the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service

C. 100% of students will have supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs) in the Philadelphia region providing an exposure to underserved and diverse populations

D. 100% of students will complete learning modules on LGBTQ+ health throughout the curriculum

Actual outcomes:

A. 100% of students in the class of 2022 have successfully completed the 4-part series on Disparities in Healthcare in Professional Practice III (PHA 606).

B. 100% of students in the class of 2022 and 2023 have attended events during the MLK Jr. Day of Service

C. Underserved and Diverse Populations on SCPEs

D. TBD, the first class will complete the curriculum on September 9, 2022

a. 100% of students have completed learning modules on LGBTQ+ health throughout the curriculum

View the Clinical Site Procurement Policy and Student Employment Policy on our Physician Assistant Studies Program Policies page.

Estimated Direct and Indirect Costs

Direct costs are those that will appear on your Saint Joseph’s tuition bill, and are required to be paid to the University, such as tuition, housing and meal plan costs. Indirect costs include expenses for which you are not billed by Saint Joseph’s but are still necessary and will vary, such as books, supplies, transportation, personal costs and possibly off-campus room and meal expenses.

These are projected costs for the class entering 2022. Tuition, fees and costs are subject to change. Diagnostic instrument and supply costs are dependent on personal selection of equipment.

Tuition and Fees*

* The Comprehensive Fee is a fee that supports a series of ancillary services and expenses including but not limited to: recreational facilities, student events and programs, student associations and groups and technology.

Other Costs 

* Students must only purchase University Health Insurance if they do not already have private coverage. All full-time students are required to have insurance. For more information, please see the Health Insurance Requirement Policy. Amount shown is 2022-23 cost.

The University Administration reserves the right to make changes in tuition, fees, and room and board charges.

Malpractice Insurance

The PA Program will provide students with the appropriate malpractice liability insurance.

Financial Aid

Information regarding Financial Aid is available from our Financial Aid Office.

Loan Repayment Programs & National Health Service Corps

Federal loan repayment programs that target specific populations with inadequate medical care are also available to PA students. Information about these programs can be obtained through the University, the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the public library or the National Health Service Corps web page.

Refunds of Tuition and Fees

For information about refunds after withdrawal or dismissal, please see our refund policy.

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Saint Joseph’s University Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Saint Joseph’s University. 

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. 

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. 

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website.

Student Attrition Report

* Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.

** Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.

Saint Joseph’s University’s PA Program Class of 2022 is our inaugural cohort, and will graduate in September 2022. 

Program-Level Competencies

The Saint Joseph's University PA Program learning competencies were developed referencing the competencies from PAEA, AAPA, ARC-PA, and NCCPA, (collectively known as the Cross-Org Competencies Review Task Force) to address clinical and technical skills, clinical reasoning and problem-solving abilities, interpersonal and communication skills, medical knowledge, and professional behaviors; the NCCPA Content Blueprint for entry level medical content and tasks; the ARC-PA Standards and the most common diseases and skills used in medicine.

At the completion of the program the PA student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate proficiency of the clinical and technical skills necessary to enter clinical practice with a focus on those skills beneficial to a family practice provider.
2. Integrate clinical reasoning skills, medical decision-making, and problem-solving abilities through all aspects of patient care. Formulate robust differential diagnoses and determine appropriate next steps, assessments, prognoses, and develop well-reasoned acute and chronic treatment plans.
3. Develop strong interpersonal and interprofessional communication skills with an emphasis on a person/patient-centered approach to medicine. Demonstrate competency in written, oral, and electronic forms of communication. Identify when a referral is indicated and work effectively with physicians and other healthcare professionals as a member of an interprofessional patient-centered health care team.
4. Possess and apply a thorough biomedical, and clinical science knowledge along with a core medical knowledge via a person/patient-centered approach that focuses on the understanding, analyzing, and evaluation of acute and/or chronic diseases/conditions that occur throughout the lifespan; distinguishing the definitions, etiologies, risk factors, epidemiology, pathophysiology, signs and symptoms, diagnostics, treatments (pharmacotherapies and non-pharmacotherapies), assessments, plans, complications, health promotion/counseling, disease prevention/monitoring, and prognoses of these diseases/conditions that are essential for practice and patient care
5. Demonstrate professional behaviors in all aspects of patient care and have a robust knowledge of cultural awareness and humility, diversity equity and inclusion, social and physical determinants of health, bioethics, healthcare policy, reimbursement, coding/billing, end of life care, health policy and legal issues as they relate to patient care.

Licensure

Following successful completion of the PA program, you will be qualified to sit for the PA National Certifying Exam (PANCE). You will also be required to obtain a license to practice as a PA in your chosen state(s) upon passing the PANCE. Requirements and procedures vary from state to state, but graduation from an accredited PA program, and successful completion of the national certifying examination are two requirements.

It has been determined that graduates of the Saint Joseph’s University Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program meet the educational requirements needed to pursue professional licensure in most states with the exception of New York.

• New York requires completion of course work or training related to infection control at the time of initial licensure and every four years thereafter. Specific information about this requirement is provided by the New York State Education Department, Office of Professions.

Following successful completion of the PANCE, you will be issued an NCCPA certificate, entitling you to the use of the PA-Certified (PA-C) designation until expiration. To maintain PA-C certification and retain the right to use the designation beyond the date of certificate expiration, you will follow a two-pronged process, involving submission of certification maintenance materials, including documentation of 100 continuing medical education credits (CME) and successful completion of a recertification exam every 10 years.

NCCPA Physician Assistant National Certification Exam (PANCE) Performance and Summary Report for the Last 5 Years

*The first cohort of students of the MSPAS program has the anticipated curriculum completion date of September 9, 2022. Students will not be eligible to take the PANCE until that date.

The following are the technical standards that apply to all clinical training students in Saint Joseph’s Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program.

Technical standards are the non-academic admission criteria that are essential to participation in the University’s programs. These standards are categorized into the following areas: [1] communication; [2] cognition; [3] behavioral/professionalism; and [4] psychomotor skills. Applicants and students must have and maintain the ability to perform or meet these essential tasks, skills and standards with or without reasonable accommodations. By applying to and accepting admission to Saint Joseph’s University, you acknowledge that you have read and understand the Technical Standards and believe that you have the ability to meet them, with or without reasonable accommodations.    

Saint Joseph’s University recognizes that a diverse campus community is essential to enriching intellectual exchanges and enhancing cultural understanding. The University values equality of opportunity, mutual respect, and an appreciation of diversity. As part of this commitment, the University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities.1 The University is not required to waive these essential standards, because that would be a fundamental alteration of the nature of these programs. Please refer to the Disability Services Policy for more information.  

Students with disabilities who believe they require an accommodation(s) to either meet these Technical Standards, to fully access the admissions process, and/or to participate in and benefit from the program curriculum and other programs and services of Saint Joseph’s University, are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Disability Services or 610-660-1774 to participate in a confidential consultation. Accommodations are not retroactive; therefore, students are encouraged to contact the SDS as early as possible to allow for adequate time to consider and implement any approved accommodations.

Communication

Students must be able to:

1. Communicate professionally, effectively, and sensitively with all patients, faculty, staff, classmates, and all members of the health care team, both in person and in written form, that reflect professional values and those of the University.
2. Retain, recall, and deliver information in an efficient and timely manner.
3. Accurately share and record information from patients’ records, through history taking, and through communications with the healthcare team.
4. Participate in class discussions/group projects/practice labs for the purpose of delivery and receipt of scientific/medical information.
5. Identify and describe changes in affect, including facial expression, mood, emotions, activity, and posture, of others in the classroom and clinic, and respond appropriately.
6. Communicate effectively with all patients, faculty, staff, classmates, and all members of the health care team from varied social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds, regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, country of origin, political views, socioeconomic status, religion, beliefs, or disability.
7. Explain to other health care professionals, patients, and/or caregivers the reason(s) for treatment, preventative measures, disease process, monitoring plans, and need for referral.
8. Demonstrate sensitivity, honesty, and compassion in all conversations, including challenging discussions about death, end of life, adverse events, bad news, disclosure of errors, and other sensitive topics.

Cognition

Students must be able to:

1. Analyze, interpret, and integrate information during patient examinations and throughout patient management to make clinical decisions.
2. Retrieve, recall, retain, and apply medical, scientific, and professional information and literature in the classroom and in clinical experiences.
3. Utilize effective clinical judgment and problem-solving skills to address difficulties in a timely manner within all learning environments.
4. Multi-task, prioritize, and perform tasks in an accurate, logical, and sequential manner.
5. Accurately perform scientific measurements and calculations in clinical environments.
6. Demonstrate the ability to learn effectively through a variety of modalities including, but not limited to, classroom instruction, remote learning, asynchronous learning, small group discussions, laboratory experiences, individual study, and preparation and presentation of written and oral reports.
7. Acknowledge limitations of knowledge and/or performance in order to obtain appropriate support and provide optimal patient care.

Behavioral/Professionalism

Students must be able to:

1. Exercise professional judgment to maintain patient safety and well-being.
2. Display professional and ethical behavior, including, but not limited to, punctuality, dependability, organization, and responsibility.
3. Self-manage to adapt to rapidly changing environments.
4. Respond promptly and professionally to stressful situations.
5. Demonstrate responsiveness to patient needs that supersedes self-interest.
6. Show accountability to patients, society, and the PA profession.
7. Demonstrate cultural humility and responsiveness by working with all patients, faculty, staff, classmates, and all members of the health care team regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, country of origin, political views, socioeconomic status, religion, beliefs, or disability.
8. Show commitment to ethical principles pertaining to provision or withholding of care, confidentiality, patient autonomy, informed consent, business practices, and compliance with relevant laws, policies, and regulations.
9. Demonstrate commitment to lifelong learning and education of students and other health care professionals.
10. Demonstrate commitment to personal wellness and self-care that supports the provision of quality patient care.
11. Display integrity, empathy, interpersonal skills, motivation, compassion, and concern for others.
12. Self-reflect, be receptive to feedback, and modify behavior to improve skills, patient-client relationships, and patient/client outcomes.
13. Establish and maintain mature, sensitive, effective relationships with all patients, students, faculty, staff, preceptors/supervisors, and other professionals under all circumstances and regardless of their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, country of origin, political views, socioeconomic status, religion, beliefs, or disability.
14. Demonstrate appropriate assertiveness, delegate responsibilities, and function as part of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
15. Identify and take responsibility for one’s own actions and decisions, inclusive of seeking supervision and/or consultation in a timely manner.
16. Demonstrate respect for differences in cultures, experiences, identities, values, and ethics among others.
17. Recognize and respond appropriately and in a timely manner to potentially unsafe, unsecure, or hazardous situations, including those that are life-threatening.
18. Respect the confidential relationship between healthcare practitioner and patient and not violate the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) or other applicable confidentiality obligations.
19. Abide by the St. Joseph’s Code of Conduct, Competencies for the Physician Assistant Profession (located in the student handbook and as developed by the PAEA, NCCPA, PAEA and adopted by the ARC-PA in 2021), and the professional standards of practice in accordance with the respective Oaths of Healthcare Professionals.
20. Must not discriminate against classes or categories of patients in the delivery of health care. Such classes and categories include gender, color, creed, race, religion, age, ethnic or national origin, political beliefs, nature of illness, disability, socioeconomic status, physical stature, body size, gender identity, marital status, or sexual orientation.

Psychomotor/Motor

Students must be able to:

28. Elicit information from all patients (standardized or clinical) and fellow classmates by palpation, auscultation, percussion and other diagnostic maneuvers regardless of the person’s sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, culture, race, ethnicity, country of origin, political views, socioeconomic status, religion, beliefs, or disability.
29. Have sufficient motor skills to provide general patient care and to provide emergency treatment for patients. Examples of emergency treatment reasonably required of a physician assistant are cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the administration of intravenous medications, the application of pressure to arrest bleeding, the opening of obstructed airways, the suturing of simple wounds and the performance of simple obstetrical maneuvers.
30. Accurately measure, calculate, reason, analyze, and synthesize information
31. Use knowledge of three-dimensional relationships and spatial relationships of structures to effectively make clinical decisions.
32. Use technology to learn, study, take exams, record information, and convey information in a timely and efficient manner under all circumstances, places, times, and events.
33. Possess sufficient psychomotor abilities and manual dexterity, or functional equivalent, to proficiently demonstrate all program-specific competencies, including, but not limited to:
    1. Carrying out basic laboratory tests (urinalysis, CBC, wet mount, gram stain, etc.)
    2. Executing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures (phlebotomy, venipuncture, placement of catheters and tubes)
    3. Reading ECG's and X-rays.

Diversity, the Physician Assistant Profession & Saint Joseph's PA Program

The Saint Joseph University’s Physician Assistant Program strives to create PAs who accurately reflect the population that they are graduating to serve. A diverse student body, faculty, and staff serves to enrich all our experiences, both as educators and as students. An important aspect to the policy is that higher-up University officials and the administration will support and carry out our diversity goals. The PA program will be actively involved in the University-level Diversity Task Force.

As a program, we understand that everyone is unique, and that differences serve to enrich all our lives. Race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, physical abilities, and religious beliefs, and others, all create an incredible, diverse society. We recognize the importance of diversity of health care providers to reflect the patient population and the role that awareness, respect, and understanding have on excellent patient care.

The plan to achieve our goals of increasing diversity not only involves steps to recruit a diverse pool of applicants, faculty, and staff; but also working to prepare regional high school and college students to become outstanding PA applicants, and to ensure their success once matriculated.

University Diversity Statement

Our understanding of diversity prevents any individual from being excluded from this community on the grounds of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, age, marital status or class.

Saint Joseph’s acknowledges the dignity of the individual and commits itself to promoting awareness of and sensitivity to human differences. We recognize that the contributions made by diverse groups serve to benefit the personal, academic, and professional growth of all members of the community. Viewed affirmatively, our commitment to diversity means:

• that, consistent with our mission, Saint Joseph’s University will actively seek to welcome and retain a diverse and inclusive community of students, staff, and faculty
• that, through our programs, policies, and curricula, we will foster interaction and understanding among all groups within our community,
• that we will make a special effort to enrich ourselves educationally by including at every level people from other nations and cultures.

Increasingly conscious of a more interdependent world, Saint Joseph’s remains dedicated to developing people for and with others.

PA Program Policy on Diversity

The Saint Joseph’s University Physician Assistant Program will work to enrich our experiences, and grow both personally and as a program, with the following steps:

Recruitment and retention of a diverse group of applicants

• Community outreach with high school students in the greater Philadelphia area
• Open house marketing to local high school students in the greater Philadelphia area
• Advising local high school students
• Inviting local high school students to explore science opportunities and foster excitement of the field
• University student clubs/organizations

Consideration for diversity in the application process during the screening process

• Underrepresented in Medicine
• First Generation College
• Economically Disadvantaged
• Military, Veteran, or Peace Corps

Recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty and staff

• University/HR involvement in marketing
• Cultural awareness training and education
• Involve, mentor, and consider former students for future academic roles after graduation
• Invite guest lecturers with diverse professional and personal backgrounds
• Advertise in minority PA chapters/ groups and other organizations that will diversify our pool of candidates.
• Embed Diversity Equity and Inclusion into organizational culture

Use our curriculum to create culturally aware PAs including learning objectives related to:

• Exploring personal implicit bias
• Racism in medicine
• Clinical bioethics
• Cultural awareness
• LGBTQIA health
• Health equity
• Health literacy
• Considerations for care of marginalized, underrepresented, and minority populations
• Respecting patient’s wishes
• Respecting cultural, religious, or spiritually-based decisions for health care
• Access to care
• Socioeconomics of health care
• Community resources
• Social determinants of health
• Physical determinants of health
• Interprofessional education events

Establish mission-oriented and community connections that support DEI:

• Formalize a DEI student run club
• Conduct community outreach educational events
• Provide health screening events to the regional community
• Perform student and faculty driven community service with local/regional affiliations, churches, groups, and other partnerships/organizations.
• Utilize PA week to provide community service opportunities and outreach
• Participate in Martin Luther King Day of Service events
• Build upon relationships with Highmark Wholecare and the Foundation of International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC)
• Encourage students to compete for NHS, LGBT PA Caucus, and other scholarship opportunities

References:

1 Saint Joseph’s Disability Services Policy

2 Saint Joseph’s Code of Conduct

Please visit links below to access our past handbooks and manuals:

• PA Student Handbook (2021-2022)
• Preceptor Manual (2020-2021)