PA Program Goals & Outcomes

Learn how we are continuing to innovate our Physician Assistant Studies program and see PA graduate feedback.

Goal #1

Prepare competent healthcare providers for successful transition to the practice of medicine.

The program strives to achieve the 1st time pass rate within 5% of the national mean.

First time PANCE pass rate for 3 most recently graduated classes:

The program expects at least 95% of its graduates to report being adequately or well prepared.

Graduate Exit Survey Feedback:
Results are reported as percentages of graduates who responded being adequately or well prepared.

Survey response rate: PA 2021 – 58%, PA 2022 – 87%, PA 2023 – 55%

Goal #2

Recruit a diverse body of students.

The program is aiming to increase enrollment of underrepresented minority (URM) students to 35%.

URM Students:

• PA Class of 2021 – 32%
• PA Class of 2022 – 24%
• PA Class of 2023 – 28%
• PA Class of 2024 – 30%
• PA Class of 2025 – 33%

Per U.S. government definition, URM include  American Indian or Alaska Native, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Hispanic (all races) (https://bhw.hrsa.gov/glossary#u) and certain Asian subpopulations (https://bhw.hrsa.gov/funding/apply-grant/faq-scholarships-disadvantaged-students).

At least 45% of students in the program are from economically, educationally or environmentally disadvantaged backgrounds as defined by the U.S. government (https://bhw.hrsa.gov/glossary#d.

Students From a Disadvantaged Background:

• PA Class of 2021 – 39%
• PA Class of 2022 – 40%
• PA Class of 2023 – 49%
• PA Class of 2024 – 47%
• PA Class of 2025 – 54%

Goal #3

Prepare students to serve the community and underserved populations.

The program didactic curriculum includes a course – Medical Management of Vulnerable and Medically Underserved (MMVU). As a result of this course,the program expects at least 95% of students to understand social determinants of health, health disparities, and populations at risk.

MMVU Survey:
Responses reflect the 3 most recently graduated classes.

Survey response rate is 100% for all classes.

The program ensures 100% student participation in service-learning experiences including Community Medicine and Mobile Health Clinic during the clinical phase.

Community Outreach and Mobile Health Clinic Sites:
Catholic Charities, Senior Center, Mexican Consulate, Nevada Homeless Alliance, Volunteers in Medicine of Southern Nevada, Homeless Encampments, The Shade Tree Women’s Shelter, Safe House, Friends of the Desert, Salvadoran Consulate, The Giving Project, The Just one Project, The Catholic Worker

The program expects at least 95% of its graduates to rate their preparation as satisfactory or proficient.

Graduate Exit Survey Feedback:
Results are reported as percentages of graduates who reported proficient or satisfactory ratings.

Survey response rate: PA 2021 – 58%, PA 2022 – 87%, PA 2023 – 55%