Physician Assistant Studies program holds white coat ceremony, students begin clinical rotations

The West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Physician Assistant Studies program hosted a white coat ceremony for 25 students on Sunday, April 28th at the Okey Patteson Auditorium in Morgantown.

Receiving their white coats marks the students’ transition from classroom instruction to the clinical phase of their education, where they will apply the foundational knowledge they received and begin to work with patients.

During the ceremony, Jennifer Momen, M.D., director of the Physical Assistant Studies program, addressed the students.

"Though your primary goal throughout the next year is to increase your clinical knowledge and improve your clinical skills, you should always remember that the minute you walk into the clinic, you become an important part of the medical team,” Momen said. “I urge you to never underestimate your contribution to patient care. Every team is improved by the attributes and skills of each of its members. Your patients will benefit from your unique insights, your careful attention to their needs, your thoughtful listening, and the compassion you demonstrate in each interaction, however brief.”

In the PA Studies program, students complete the last 12 months of the program in a series of clinical rotations in the core medical specialties: surgery, emergency medicine, pediatrics, women’s health, family medicine, internal medicine, behavioral medicine and rural primary care. They also have the opportunity to choose two elective rotations based on their individual interests.

Dr. Larry Rhodes, M.D., executive director for the WVU Institute for Community and Rural Health and a professor of pediatrics for the School of Medicine, served as the keynote speaker. In his address, he advised the students, reminding them to keep humility at the front of their careers.

MEET THE STUDENTS

Charles Perdue from Sissonville, West Virginia, will be completing clinical rotations in core specialties in Morgantown, Bridgeport, Fairmont, Weston and Summersville, West Virginia, as well as Uniontown, Pennsylvania. He will begin his rotations with a focus on internal medicine, and progress to his chosen electives of ophthalmology and urology. Purdue earned his bachelor’s degree in biology from WVU.

“I am excited to be an educator for patients, someone who can improve health and promote well-being for more enriched lives,” Perdue said. “I love being able to support others while serving a greater purpose than myself and building a connection and trust with patients is the best way to do that.”

Logan Bower from Fairdale, West Virginia, will complete his rotations in several West Virginia towns including Morgantown, Rainelle and Madison. He plans to focus on rural family medicine and hopes to return to his hometown after graduation to serve the people of his community as a physician assistant. He earned his undergraduate degree in biology from WVU Tech.

“I am extremely grateful for my professors who not only provided me with the knowledge and skills to succeed professionally but also personally by pushing me to realize my full potential,” Bower said. “The strong emphasis on interprofessional education has made me comfortable being part of a healthcare team, which is crucial in quality patient care.”

Sydney Zimla of Glen Dale, West Virginia, will be completing clinical rotations in core specialties at multiple WVU Medicine locations including Morgantown, Uniontown and Harpers Ferry. In addition, she has elected to complete rotations in plastic surgery and endocrinology. Zilma is looking forward to interacting with patients using the skills she has learned throughout the last few years at WVU. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from WVU with an area of emphasis in aquatic therapy.

“I always wanted to be a physician assistant because I have always had a passion for healthcare and caring for others,” Zimla said. “Being able to help a patient in their most vulnerable moments to alleviate their anxiety and improve their quality of life is one of the most fulfilling experiences.”

For more information on the Physician Assistant Studies program, visit https://medicine.wvu.edu/physician-assistant-studies/.