Alumni Reception and Volunteering
Every year the Yale PA program hosts a reception for alumni at the annual conference. Over fifty alumni from all over the United States attended this gathering. The reception is a small gesture to thank alumni for their continued role in the PA program through clinical precepting, stewardship, and scholarship. Program Director Jim Van Rhee updated the attendees on the many positive developments within the program that included mention of our exceptional incoming class.
The American Academy of Physician Assistant and Physician Assistant Education Association jointly sponsored an outreach recruitment event at the conference that focused on minority applicants to PA schools. Jacqui Comshaw, PA Program Director of Operations, along with AAPA and PAEA support, organized this event and utilized several Yale PA program alumni and faculty to meet with applicants and deliver presentations on the PA career, financial aid, alumni perspectives and PA admissions. Students had an opportunity to network with the presenters including David Brissette, Associate Program Director, Kevin O’Hara ‘08, Associate Professor, and alums Cindy Lord ‘91 and Maureen Doyle ‘88.
Around the Conference
Current PA students in the Co 2016 and Co 2017 participated in the Assembly of Representatives of the Student Academy and Challenge Bowl where students demonstrated leadership and scholarship.
Program Director Jim Van Rhee PA-C shared his expertise in laboratory medicine while Peter Juergenson PA-C, a lecturer in the nephrology module, shared expertise on hyperparathyroidism. Faculty member Kevin M. O'Hara, PA-C concluded his term on the conference planning committee. Several alumni from Yale PA Program presented a wide range of topics such as Caring for Indigenous Elders, Emerging Infectious Diseases, and Cardiovascular Disease.