HIGH POINT, N.C., Aug. 15, 2022 – High Point University graduated its sixth physician assistant class and welcomed them into the professional field on Aug. 13.
Starting their education in June 2020, 43 students completed the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree over the course of 27 months.
“I am so proud of the Class of 2022, for their perseverance and determination over the last 27 months,” said Dr. James Johnson, program director for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. “They committed to becoming PAs as the medical profession was faced with learning about and responding to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rather than succumb to fear, these students charged forward to gain the knowledge and skills required to become PAs.”
This year’s cohort of graduates have worked hard to earn their degree and prepare to start their career in health care. Kirsten Ruth, a graduate from Hampton, Virginia, became pregnant right before starting school in 2020. She decided to pursue her dream of becoming a PA despite many people encouraging her to defer school for a year.
“I feel like I’ve gained a valuable experience and insight to being on the other side of medicine through my being pregnant and having a young son,” said Ruth. “I want to be a PA because I love helping people and having the ability to change specialties. I know how stressful it can be to go to a doctor’s appointment or need to go to the hospital and I want to be the person that makes that experience a little less stressful with my compassion.”
There are a total of 161 physician assistant students participating in the program at HPU.
