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WINGATE UNIVERSITY
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT STUDIES
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM
ACADEMIC CATALOG 2011-2013
Information and Course Descriptions for the
Master of Physician Assistant Studies Degree
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT PROGRAM ACADEMIC CATALOG 2010-2013
Wingate University History……………………………….……. 3
Formation of the PA Program and Accreditation ……………. 4
Introduction……………………………………………….……… 5
About the PA Program ………………………………….………. 5
Mission, Vision and Goals of the PA Program ………..………. 5
Educational Philosophy………….………………………………. 6
Service Learning ………………………………………………….. 6
2011 Admissions Requirements …………………………………. 6
Application Process ……………………………………………….. 7
Preparation for Coursework………………………………….… 8
Assessment of the PA Program ……………………………….. 8
Academic Policies ………………………………..………… 9
MPAS Required Curriculum ………………………….………… 9
Clinical Rotation Sites ………………………………….………… 12
Student Privacy, Informed Consent …………………….……… 15
PA Student Handbook …………………………………………… 15
Tuition and Costs ………………………………………………… 15
Laptop Computer ………………………………………… 15
Housing, Employment and Transportation …………………. 15
Licensing ………………………………………….……………… 16
Faculty and Staff ………………………………………………… 17
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Campus Box 5010
Wingate NC 28174
(704) 233-8051 telephone
(866) 320-2726 fax
pa.wingate.edu
WINGATE UNIVERSITY HISTORY
Wingate was established in 1896 by the Baptist Associations of Union County in North Carolina and
Chesterfield County in South Carolina. The trustees named the new school for a successful president of
Wake Forest University, Washington Manley Wingate, and chose an outstanding graduate of that
institution and Union County native for its first principal, Marcus B. Dry.
In 1923, Wingate expanded its educational vision, offering the first two years of baccalaureate education.
The national crisis of the economic crash and depression drove Wingate to the edge of extinction and, in
1932, the administration building burned to the ground. The administration building was replaced,
memorializing President C.C. Burris, who guided the institution from 1937 to 1953
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools granted membership and accreditation to Wingate in
1952. Budd and Ethel Smith assumed leadership of the college.
In 1955, Dr. Smith interested Mr. Charles A. Cannon of Kannapolis in the school. Mr. Cannon saw
Wingate as a place where the children of textile workers and others in the middle class might receive
opportunities in higher education.
In 1977, under the leadership of Dr. Thomas E. Corts, Wingate added upper-level college courses and
majors and granted its first baccalaureate degrees in 1979.
In 1995, during the school’s Centennial, the Board of Trustees voted to formally acknowledge Wingate’s
continued growth by changing its status to University.
In 2003, Wingate became the third university in the state of North Carolina to offer the PharmD degree
when it opened the School of Pharmacy.
In 2007, the School of Graduate and Adult Education was named to include graduate programs in
business and education and the bachelor degree completion program at the Metro Campus in Matthews.
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Wingate University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges
and Schools (SACS). The last accreditation was completed in 2006. Wingate University is accredited to
award the bachelor, master and professional degrees.
The Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) is the
recognized regional accrediting body in the eleven U.S. southern states (Alabama, Florida, Georgia,
Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia) and
Latin America for institutions of higher education that award associate, baccalaureate, masters or
doctoral degrees (see www.sacscoc.org).
Questions about the status of the University’s accreditation may be obtained from the Commission on
Colleges by calling (404) 679-4500 or by writing the SACS home office at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur,
GA 30033.
FORMATION OF THE PA PROGRAM AND ACCREDITATION
In 2002 the President and Trustees initially started considering a PharmD program based on their
perception of a need for pharmacists in the greater-Charlotte area and the incredible growth in the
population in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. The PharmD program, begun in 2003, continues to
be successful. The Trustees directed university administration to explore other allied health programs.
The Physician Assistant Program appeared to be a great addition to the Wingate’s vision of being
involved in Allied Health. In April, 2006 the Trustees funded the PA Program initiative. In April 2007,
100 physicians and 100 physician assistants in the region surrounding Wingate University were surveyed
to determine their perceptions of a need for a physician assistant educational program and the degree
they may support this endeavor. The evaluation of the data supported the development of a PA Program
at Wingate. A majority of physician and physician assistant respondents expressed an interest in
assisting the program and felt that there was a need for a PA Program in the Charlotte, NC area.
The Physician Assistant Program at Wingate University received provisional accreditation through the
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) on March 10,
2008. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) granted approval on January 10, 2008,
for Wingate University to offer the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree.
In May 2007, a search committee for a PA Program Director was formed. Gary R. Uremovich was hired as
the program director July 2007. Over the course of the next two months, other staff and faculty were
hired.
In August 2008, the inaugural class for the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree was admitted.
PA program classroom, lab and administrative offices are located in Hayes Building, named after Miriam
Cannon Hayes and completed in Fall 2006. The three-story Hayes Building has wireless or “smart”
classrooms and also houses the offices of the School of Education, College of Arts and Sciences and labs
for the School of Pharmacy.
The Physician Assistant Program at Wingate University received provisional accreditation through the
Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) on March 10,
2008. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) granted approval on January 10, 2008 for
Wingate University to offer the Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree (MPAS).
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INTRODUCTION
Wingate University is operated on a nondiscriminatory basis. Wingate University abides by the
provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title XI of Educational Amendments of 1972 and the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504. Wingate University does not discriminate on the basis of race,
sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or military service in its administration of
education policies, programs, activities or services.
Each student is responsible for knowing the policies, procedures, curricular requirements and codes of
conduct for the Department of Physician Assistant Studies and the University.
Each student is responsible for his/her progress towards degree completion. Neither the student’s advisor
nor the faculty of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies is responsible for insuring that the
student meets degree requirements. The Department and/or the University may terminate enrollment of
any student for professional, academic or financial reasons.
This PA Program Academic Catalog is intended as a supplement to the Wingate University Academic
Catalog and has been structured to recognize the graduate level of this professional course of study. The
University catalog contains important information concerning the history, goals, facilities and operations
of Wingate University and all applicants are encouraged to review the catalog.
ABOUT THE PA PROGRAM
The Wingate University Department of Physician Assistant Studies will cover seven continuous
semesters (27 months) beginning with the fall semester in August and concluding with the third fall
semester in December. The first year (3 semesters in 12 months) is didactic classes and the second year
and final semester consist of clinical rotations throughout the region in various medical specialties.
MISSION, VISION AND GOALS OF THE WINGATE UNIVERSITY PA PROGRAM
Revised September 7, 2009
The mission of the Wingate University Department of Physician Assistant Studies is to educate physician
assistant students to become competent, compassionate and comprehensive health care providers.
Graduates will become leaders in the health care community, continuously striving for excellence in their
professional endeavors while compassionately providing for the health care needs of those they serve.
The goals of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies are to
• Recruit and identify for admission individuals with the academic, clinical and interpersonal skills
and a philosophical compatibility with the Wingate University PA Program.
• Provide a coordinated, comprehensive didactic and clinical curriculum that will allow graduates
to become nationally certified to deliver the highest quality of health care services.
• Promote an atmosphere of “learner-centered” education that empowers students to become self-
directed life-long learners.
• Instill in students the core values of Wingate University: Faith – Knowledge – Service.
• Provide students with the medical knowledge and clinical skills that will enable them to cultivate
the relationship centered approach needed to practice as a physician assistant.
• Promote continuously a comprehensive approach to health and disease by emphasizing health
maintenance and disease prevention.
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• Develop in students an appreciation of the dignity of the individual and each individual’s right
to a quality life.
• Encourage graduates to strive for excellence in clinical practice while employing professional
ethics as a member of the health care team focused on service to others.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
TEAM-BASED LEARNING, RELATIONSHIP-CENTERED CARE
Wingate University and the Department of Physician Assistant Studies are committed to providing a
learner-centered educational experience valuing active-learning. This approach requires students to
accept responsibility for being actively involved in the learning process by placing the student at the
center of education. The process begins by understanding the individual student’s background, needs
and aptitudes. The instructor is responsible for facilitating the student’s education. It continues as the
instructor evaluates the progress toward learning objectives. By helping the student to develop basic
learning skills suited to his individual needs, the habit of lifelong learning is instilled.
Each student in the PA program will be assigned to a team for the duration of the program. The group
assignment will be determined by the Myers-Briggs Temperament Inventory test administered during
orientation. Group study can provide a forum for discussion and debate as well as exposing deficiencies
in knowledge; simple verbalization among peers often makes a difference in retention of facts.
The PA program is also based on the concept of Relationship-Centered Care. The four domains of
relationship have been highlighted as the cornerstones of relationship-centered health care:
· Clinician-patient relationships
· Clinician-colleague relationships
· Clinician-community relationships
· Clinician’s relationship to self
Relationship-centered health care denotes an approach that recognizes the importance and uniqueness of
each health care participant’s relationship with every other, and considers these relationships to be
central in supporting high-quality care, a high-quality work environment, and superior organizational
performance.
The PA program incorporates these concepts, recognizing that relationships among core faculty, staff,
students, preceptors and instructors are the essential ingredients to the success of the mission, vision and
goals of the program.
SERVICE LEARNING
During the first two semesters of the didactic year, each PA student is required to provide a minimum of
eight hours of health-related service each month to a local health-oriented community or faith-based
ministry. Groups of two-five students will perform this service as the “Wingate Health Team”
performing such tasks as assisting an organization in developing an active Health Ministry, performing
regular blood pressure screenings, monitoring or organizing health assessments or health promotion
activities and developing health-related support groups. 2011 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
1. Earn a bachelor degree from a four-year regionally accredited college or university.
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2. Complete and submit an online application through CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician Assistants) between April 15, 2010, and January 15, 2011. https://portal.caspaonline.org
3. Complete the following prerequisites at a regionally accredited college or university before January 15, 2011:
Human Anatomy and Physiology with Labs (8 semester hours) Please note that only human anatomy and physiology courses will satisfy this requirement.
Organic Chemistry with Lab (4 semester hours) Microbiology with Lab (4 semester hours) Biochemistry (3 semester hours)
Please note that courses combining general/organic/biochemistry or organic/biochemistry will not be accepted as satisfying any of the prerequisites.
Minimum GPA for above science courses is 3.2 College Algebra or higher (3 semester hours credit – AP will be accepted) Statistics (3 semester hours) General Psychology (3 semester hours credit – AP will be accepted) Recommended but not required: Genetics
4. A health care provider (MD, DO, PA or NP) must provide one of the letters of recommendation.
5. A minimum of 500 hours of direct patient contact must be in progress at the time of the application deadline. While volunteer work and shadowing is acceptable, it is not rated as highly as compensated work in admissions consideration. If admitted to the program, the required number of hours must be completed by July 31, 2011.
6. Applicants for whom English is not their first language must submit test scores to the PA program evaluating reading, speaking, listening and writing skills.
7. Applicants will be notified of their admission status within 30 days of the completion of the application with CASPA. Interview invitations will be extended throughout the admissions cycle. Applicants will be notified within 60 days of the interview of their admission status: admissions offer extended, placement on the wait list or denial of admission.
8. At the time of the interview, applicants must attest to their abilities and skills referred to as “Technical Standards.” These abilities and skills are necessary to complete the education and training associated with physician assistant education and essential in clinical practice. The Technical Standards reflect five categories representing minimum competence levels: observation, communication, critical reasoning (intellectual), motor and sensory, and behavioral/social. The complete Technical Standards document can be viewed on the PA program’s website www.pa.wingate.edu.
9. Applicants admitted to the program must complete the American Heart Association’s Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers or the American Red Cross’s Adult/Child CPR/AED course.
APPLICATION PROCESS
To apply to the Wingate University PA program for the class beginning August 2011, applicants must file
an online application for admission through CASPA (Centralized Application Service for Physician
Assistants). The online application process for Wingate University begins April 15, 2010, and ends
January 15, 2011. No supplemental application is required.
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The CASPA link is https://portal.caspaonline.org
Upon notification of acceptance into the program, each applicant must pay a $1,500 tuition deposit within
10 days of receipt of a certified letter of acceptance to confirm and secure the applicant’s place in the class.
The deposit will be applied to the first year’s tuition if the student continues in the program. Failure to
pay the $1,500 in a timely manner will forfeit applicant’s place in the program.
The $1,500 deposit is nonrefundable if the applicant chooses not to enroll in the Physician Assistant
program after paying the deposit. If the applicant is dismissed by the Wingate University PA program
prior to enrollment but after payment of the $1,500 for reasons including, but not limited to, discovery of
history of drug abuse, felony conviction or fraudulent application statements, Wingate University will
refund in full applicant’s deposit of $1,500.
PREPARATION FOR COURSEWORK
Following admission into the PA program, accepted students will be advised to purchase two review
texts in preparation for beginning the didactic year of study.
Medical Terminology by Peggy S. Stanfield (3rd edition Jones and Bartlett)
Barron’s Anatomy and Physiology: The Easy Way (2nd edition Barron’s Series)
During orientation prior to the beginning of classes, students will be tested on the contents of each text.
In order to pass the exams, students must achieve a grade of 80% or better. Opportunities to retake the
exams for those students scoring less than 80% will be available throughout the first semester. All
students must pass the exam to progress to the second semester.
ASSESSMENT OF THE PA PROGRAM
A comprehensive assessment process will examine outcome instruments and Physician Assistant
National Certification Examination (PANCE) scores and will tie directly to curriculum assessment.
Quality assurance processes will be conducted throughout the year as documented in the program’s
assessment plan. Student surveys of courses will be conducted every semester; results of these
evaluations will be examined each semester to look for immediate weakness, and the results of course
surveys are annually reviewed prior to implementing curriculum changes.
The strategic planning process will include an annual faculty retreat in order to examine all pertinent data
such as outcomes, quality assurance, maintenance items (such as the PANCE Blueprint) and alignment of
the program’s mission and vision statement with the institutional strategic plan and vision.
The program competencies will be tied to the Accreditation Review Commission for the Physician
Assistant (ARC-PA) Standards, which will allow a cyclic process of examining formative, summative and
outcome instruments that are closely correlated with the graduate competencies. The conceptual
framework of the ongoing assessment system represents a continuous process of improvement.
Integral to the self-study will be a semi-annual (or more frequent) meeting of the Advisory Council. The
Council is composed of interested members within the local medical and health care community. Their
feedback to the results of our assessments and evaluation of outcomes will be essential to our strategic
goals and program improvement initiatives.
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ACADEMIC POLICIES
Students will be provided a copy of program goals and competencies at orientation. Each course and
clinical rotation syllabus has course descriptions and objectives required that guide student learning and
list competencies that students achieve during each course.
Students who are enrolled in the program must earn grades of C (2.0) or better in all courses and
maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing in the program. Students are
expected to understand and adhere to the codes and standards of the profession and generic abilities in
professional behavior.
Students are required to be in good academic standing to enter the clinical year. Students who receive less
than a C in a didactic course or who have less than a 3.0 GPA will be required to repeat the course(s) and
earn at least a C and an overall 3.0 GPA prior to entering clinical rotations. Specific learning objectives are
distributed to students for each clinical rotation. Grades are based on mid-point and final evaluations by
clinical preceptors, end-of-rotation exams, professional seminar attendance and student presentations. If
a student fails to obtain a minimum grade of C in a clinical rotation, he or she is placed on academic
probation and the rotation must be repeated. Students who fail to obtain a minimum grade of C in two
clinical rotations will be subject to dismissal from the program.
Any didactic course or clinical rotation that is required to be repeated will also incur additional tuition
charges. Such repetitions will lengthen the program beyond 27 months.
A student’s readiness to graduate will be determined by an overall GPA of 3.0, successful completion of
required courses, clinical rotations, demonstration of written and oral proficiencies, successful completion
of required objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), completion of the required total semester
hours for the program and completion of a Capstone project. Students who complete the program in
good academic and financial standing by the end of the fall semester final exam period graduate in
December.
MPAS REQUIRED CURRICULUM
First Semester (Fall – Didactic Year)
PA 520 Introduction to the Profession (1 Semester Hour). This course will provide an historical
perspective of the physician assistant profession, as well as current trends and issues. The course will
stress the importance of biomedical ethics and professional responsibilities in relation to the PAs role
as health care providers. Content relating to physician assistant professional organizations, program
accreditation, graduate certification and re-certification, employment considerations and professional
liability are to be included.
PA 530 Clinical Medicine I (6 Semester Hours). This is the first of three classes reviewing medical
diagnosis and treatment. This course teaches the pathology of disease by system and specialty. This
semester will include nutrition, clinical laboratory medicine, ophthalmology and otolaryngology, (EENT),
dermatology, pulmonary, cardiology (including ECG) and hematology. Also incorporated into these
topics are correlated reviews of relevant pathology and radiology.
PA 538 Patient Assessment I (4 Semester Hours). This course teaches foundational skills and techniques
required to gather a complete medical history and perform a thorough physical examination. This course
introduces the student to the art of history taking and physical exams of the skin, head and neck,
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lymphatics, lungs, heart and abdomen. During this course, the integration of the student’s knowledge of
the structure and function of the human body will be coupled with laboratory sessions emphasizing the
proper use of diagnostic equipment and techniques for performing a comprehensive physical
examination.
PA 541 Pharmacology I (2 Semester Hours). This is the first class in a three-part series. Students will be
introduced to pharmacodynamic, pharmacokinetic and pharmacotherapeutic principles that provide a
foundation for the study of pharmacology and therapeutics. Combined lecture and active learning
exercises are designed to develop the skills that a physician assistant will need to enhance patient care in
clinical practice focusing on antibiotics, pulmonary and cardiac drugs, anemia and leukemia.
PA 544 Clinical Anatomy (2 Semester Hours). This course is designed to provide physician assistant
students with a working knowledge of the major anatomical regions and structures of the body.
Emphasis will be placed upon the relationships of components within a specific region as well as
topographical and functional anatomy as it relates to physical examination skills and clinical applications.
PA 546 Pathophysiology I (2 Semester Hours). Students will learn integrative human physiology and
pathophysiology involving concepts of cell biology, the integumentary, cardiovascular, pulmonary and
hematologic systems with an emphasis upon homeostatic mechanisms and etiologies of disease. Students
will learn the interrelationships of function and dysfunction at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and
systemic levels.
PA 560 Clinical Genetics (1 Semester Hour). The successful practice of modern medicine includes the
recognition of the role of genetic factors in health and disease; students must understand the genetic basis
of disease. Students learn to obtain an accurate genetic pedigree and convey information to patients.
Knowledge will be used to develop a more effective approach to health maintenance, disease prevention,
disease diagnosis and treatment based on patients’ genetic predisposition.
Second semester (Spring – didactic year)
PA 527 Health Care Issues I (2 Semester Hours). PA students will develop a greater appreciation and
comprehension of the socio-behavioral aspects of medical practice. Students will learn effective
counseling and preventive education strategies for enhancing treatment compliance, promoting positive
health patterns and enhancing positive response to illness.
PA 531 Clinical Medicine II (6 Semester Hours). This course builds on pathology of disease presented in
PA 530 Clinical Medicine I and continues with the presentation of the following systems:
gastroenterology, infectious disease, neurology, orthopedics/rheumatology and endocrinology.
Disorders are presented by system and specialty, augmented with clinical therapeutics.
PA 539 Patient Assessment II (4 Semester Hours). The student will build on the knowledge and
foundational skills and techniques learned in PA 5538 Patient Assessment I in the performance of a
thorough physical examination and medical history. Students will integrate the knowledge obtained in
PA 530 Clinical Medicine I with laboratory sessions emphasizing the proper use of diagnostic equipment
and technique for performing a comprehensive physical examination. The semester will include the
musculoskeletal, neurological, male and female systems.
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PA 542 Pharmacology II (3 Semester Hours). This is the second class in a three-part series. Students will
build upon the knowledge and skills obtained in PA 541 Pharmacology I. Combined lecture and active
learning exercises are designed to develop the pharmacologic and therapeutic skills that a physician
assistant will need to enhance patient care in clinical practice focusing on inflammatory conditions,
infectious diseases, gastrointestinal, neurological and endocrine diseases. Students will be expected to
utilize the clinical literature and to evaluate patient cases as they related to pharmacology.
PA 547 Pathophysiology II (2 Semester Hours). Students will learn integrative human physiology and
pathophysiology involving the neurological, gastrointestinal, endocrine and reproductive systems with
an emphasis upon homeostatic mechanisms and the etiologies of disease states. Students will understand
the interrelationship of function and dysfunction at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and systemic
levels.
PA 580 Research, Epidemiology and Statistics for the Physician Assistant (2 Semester Hours). Students
receive instruction in research methods and application in the clinical setting. Students gain
understanding of the basic concepts of epidemiology as it relates to medical practice. Students are
prepared to critically read published reports of clinical research and identify strengths and weaknesses.
Students will be prepared to complete a community-based project as their capstone for the PA program.
Third Semester (Summer – didactic year)
PA 528 Health Care Issues II (1 Semester Hour). Students build upon concepts in patient care discussed
in PA 527 Health Care Issues I. After completion of this course, students will understand and express
ethical concepts as they relate to practical decision-making and problem-solving. Students will
comprehend risk management strategies and the legal definitions of, and their responsibilities toward,
informed consent and confidentiality. Students will gain an appreciation for health care policy,
nationally and locally, as it impacts health care delivery, the practice of medicine as a PA and the
socioeconomic factors pertaining to relevant health care decision making.
PA 532 Clinical Medicine III (3 Semester Hours). The student will build upon the knowledge and skills
attained in the two prior Clinical Medicine courses. The student will study the disorders and diseases of
the following: genitourinary system (GU), psychiatric disorders, preventive medicine and
complementary and alternative medicine. Disorders are presented by system and specialty-augmented
with clinical therapeutics.
PA 543 Pharmacology III (2 Semester Hours). This is the third class in a three-part series. Combined
lecture and active learning exercises are designed to develop the pharmacologic and therapeutic skills
that a physician assistant will need to enhance patient care in clinical practice focusing on renal disease,
genitourinary and psychiatric disorders and alternative/complimentary medicines and dietary
supplements. Students will be expected to utilize the clinical literature and to evaluate patient cases as
they related to pharmacology.
PA 550 Emergency Medicine (2 Semester Hours). In this advanced clinical course, students learn
treatment of trauma and medical disorders commonly presenting to the emergency department. Taught
in a case-based format, the emphasis is on the priority of stabilizing patients with life-threatening trauma
or illness and selecting appropriate diagnostic and therapeutic measures. Students will be required to
become ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support) certified or recertified for clinical rotations.
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PA 552 Medical Procedures (2 Semester Hours). Students build on the knowledge, skills and techniques
learned in PA 539 Patient Assessment II to evaluate the surgical patient. Taught using a combination of
lectures and laboratory exercises, students learn to perform procedures such as suturing, splinting,
wound care, intravenous insertions, nasogastric intubations and Foley catheter insertion. Students learn
principles of surgery, including pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care, and minor
surgical procedures.
PA 554 Special Populations (5 Semester Hours). Students must understand the special needs of patients
within the primary care subspecialties: women’s health, pediatrics and geriatrics. This class is taught in a
modular format using a variety of learning methods, including traditional lectures and interactive
techniques.
CLINICAL ROTATION SITES
MPAS degree curriculum will be delivered both on and off the main campus of Wingate University.
Didactic courses will be held on the main campus while clinical rotation curriculum will be delivered in
affiliated sites such as hospitals, medical practices and long-term care facilities. The Department of
Physician Assistant Studies will attempt to place students in locations that are mutually agreed upon but
reserves the right to place students in suitable locations when necessary. Transportation for all off-
campus clinical rotations is the responsibility of the student.
Students during the clinical year will serve in three rotations during the fall semester, three in the spring
semester, two in the summer semester and two in the final semester. Each student will complete each
rotation described below. Didactic year’s curriculum must be completed successfully in order for student
to progress to the clinical year.
PA 600 Ambulatory Medicine (5 Semester Hours). The five-week rotation provides practical experience
in general primary care through outpatient medicine. Students engage in all aspects of patient care,
including history, physical exam, treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient
and family education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.
PA 601 Long-Term Care (5 Semester Hours). The five-week rotation provides practical clinical
experience in long-term care facilities. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history,
physical exam, treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family
education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.
PA 602 Internal Medicine (5 Semester Hours). The five-week rotation provides practical clinical
experience in internal medicine. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history, physical
exam, treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to
treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.
PA 603 Pediatrics (5 Semester Hours). The five-week rotation provides practical clinical experience in
pediatric medicine. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history, physical exam,
treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment
and preventive measures is emphasized.
PA 604 Psychiatry (5 Semester Hours). The five-week rotation provides practical clinical experience in
psychiatric medicine. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history, physical exam,
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treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to treatment
and preventive measures is emphasized.
PA 605 General Surgery (5 Semester Hours). The five-week rotation provides practical clinical
experience in general surgery. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history, physical
exam, treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to
treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.
PA 606 Women’s Health (5 Semester Hours). The five-week rotation provides practical clinical
experience in women’s health. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history, physical
exam, treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family education to
treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.
PA 607 Emergency Medicine (5 Semester Hours). The five-week rotation provides practical clinical
experience in emergency medicine. Students engage in all aspects of patient care, including history,
physical exam, treatment plan design and evaluation. Students’ application of patient and family
education to treatment and preventive measures is emphasized.
PA 608 Elective Clinical Rotation I (5 Semester Hours). This is the first of two required elective clinical
rotations. This course will provide clinical experience in medical or surgical specialty of the student’s
choice. All clinical rotations will be offered throughout the last 4 semesters of the MPAS Program. Each
clinical rotation will last for five weeks with a total of 3 different clinical rotations per semester. During
the last semester only 2 clinical rotations will be available. Students will engage in all aspects of patient
care from history and physical exam to treatment plan design and evaluation. Patient and family
education will be stressed as they apply both to treatment plans and preventative issues. The purpose of
this rotation is to allow students to explore more completely an area of interest in clinical medicine or
surgery. Students will engage in all aspects of patient care for patients within that specialty’s patient
population from history and physical exam to treatment plan design and evaluation. Patient and family
education will be stressed as they apply both to treatment plans and preventative issues.
PA 609 Elective Clinical Rotation II (5 Semester Hours). This is the second of two required elective
clinical rotations. This course will provide clinical experience in medical or surgical specialty of the
student’s choice. All clinical rotations will be offered throughout the last 4 semesters of the MPAS
Program. Each clinical rotation will last for five weeks with a total of 3 different clinical rotations per
semester. During the last semester only 2 clinical rotations will be available. Students will engage in all
aspects of patient care from history and physical exam to treatment plan design and evaluation. Patient
and family education will be stressed as they apply both to treatment plans and preventative issues. The
purpose of this rotation is to allow students to explore more completely an area of interest in clinical
medicine or surgery. Students will engage in all aspects of patient care for patients within that specialty’s
patient population from history and physical exam to treatment plan design and evaluation. Patient and
family education will be stressed as they apply both to treatment plans and preventative issues.
Fourth Semester (Fall – clinical year)
PA 621 Introduction to Quality Improvement and Patient Care (1 Semester Hour). This is a
continuation of work initiated on PA 580 Research, Epidemiology, and Statistics. This course will allow
the student to gain competency in quality improvement strategies necessary for completion of their
Capstone Project. Students will develop skills and knowledge in practice-based learning, development of
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a variety of improvement strategies, and an introduction to systems-based practice. This course coincides
with the PA student’s initial contact with clinical rotations and will serve as a guide in assessing patient
safety and process improvement. Furthermore, it will help develop strategies for completing the Quality
Improvement Capstone Project required for graduation. The capstone experience is student-directed,
meaning that students take responsibility for identifying and defining a problem to work on, working
within a multidisciplinary team, facilitating the approach and methods needed to address a problem, and
presenting findings in both oral and written forms.
Three Five-Week Clinical Rotations (15 Semester hours). Courses described above.
Fifth Semester (Spring – clinical year)
PA 623 Professional Development (1 Semester Hour). The instructor will teach through an interactive
discussion format. Topics include resume development, employment strategies, completion of state
applications for practice, medical malpractice, reimbursement issues and financial planning.
Three Five-Week Clinical Rotations (15 Semester hours). Courses described above.
Sixth Semester (Summer – clinical year) PA 624 PANCE Preparation I (2 Semester Hours). The first of two courses to prepare students for successful completion of the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), necessary for entering medical practice. Students learn strategies for successful study and successful completion of board-style exams. Students are prepared to take a systems approach, integrating all aspects of medicine, including medical and surgical disorders encountered in general adult and pediatric medicine. Topics also include typical clinical presentation, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic work-up, lab interpretation and management of disorders.
Two Five-Week Clinical Rotations (10 Semester hours). Courses described above.
Seventh Semester (Fall – Final Semester)
PA 625 PANCE Preparation II (2 Semester Hours). In this second course, students are prepared to
successfully complete the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), necessary for
entering medical practice. Students learn strategies for successful study and successful completion of
board-style exams. Students are prepared to take a systems approach, integrating all aspects of medicine,
including medical and surgical disorders encountered in general adult and pediatric medicine. Topics
also include typical clinical presentation, etiology, pathophysiology, diagnostic work-up, lab
interpretation and management of disorders.
PA 710 Summative Evaluation (1 Semester Hour). This course provides a summative evaluation tool to
measure cognitive, motor and effective domains at a point near the students’ completion of the program.
Students perform an objective standardized clinical examination (OSCE) in order to demonstrate
competency in interpersonal skills, comprehensive physical examination skills and professional bearing.
Students complete an end-of-course written examination providing proof of medical knowledge and
clinical competence.
PA 720 Capstone Project Completion (4 Semester Hours). This is a continuation of the Capstone Project
first defined and discussed in PA 580 Research, Epidemiology, and Statistics, and PA 621 Introduction to
Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. This course will allow the student to complete work on the
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Capstone project and formally present the findings to peers and instructors. This project is required for
graduation from the MPAS Program.
Two Five-Week Clinical Rotations (10 Semester hours). Courses described above.
STUDENT PRIVACY AND INFORMED CONSENT
Students in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies are granted privacy through the Family
Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) enacted to protect the privacy associated with
educational records, to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records
and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal
hearings.
In compliance with FERPA, the Wingate University Department of Physician Assistant Studies requires
its students’ informed consent to the sharing of personal information with its educational partners
(clinical rotation sites) strictly on a need-to-know basis. This personal information may include, but is not
limited to, social security numbers, immunization records, e-mail addresses, telephone numbers, results
of health care tests, results of credit checks and criminal records known to Wingate University. Notice is
hereby given that random drug screenings or additional criminal background checks may be requested of
the students at any time during the didactic or clinical years as well as for placement in certain clinical
rotation sites as standard operating procedure. The student may be responsible for the cost of drug
screenings or additional criminal background checks.
PA STUDENT HANDBOOK
Each student in the Department of Physician Assistant Studies will be asked to review and accept the PA
Student Handbook, including all provisions concerning professional conduct and appearance, honor
council, student attendance, etc.
TUITION AND COSTS
Tuition for each of the seven semesters of education is estimated at $8,400 per semester for a total
estimated tuition of $58,800 plus expenses estimated at $2,500 for textbooks, medical equipment,
malpractice and health insurance, and miscellaneous supplies and training fees. Students are also
required to have a laptop computer using a Windows operating system.
LAPTOP COMPUTER Students are required to have a laptop computer for use in the PA Program. • Processor speed ranging from 1.3 Ghz to
2.15 Ghz • RAM - (Random Access Memory) - 512MB
or more • Hard Drive - minimum 60GB • Wireless standard 802.11b/g • CD/DVD or DVD/CD Burner drive
• CD-ROM drive • Microsoft Windows XP SP2 (Professional) or
Windows VistaTM (No Macintosh) • Microsoft Office Suite Student and Teacher
Edition • Antivirus Software • Service Plan
HOUSING, EMPLOYMENT AND TRANSPORTATION
There is limited housing on campus for graduate students. Employment is strongly discouraged since the
PA curriculum requires full days of class work and independent study after class. All teaching is
delivered on the main campus of Wingate University from approximately 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Students
are responsible for all living expenses and transportation.
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LICENSING
Following graduation with the MPAS degree, students may apply to sit for the Physician Assistant
National Certification Examination (PANCE). After passing the PANCE, students may apply for
licensing in any state or territory of the United States.
North Carolina Medical Board
1203 Front Street
Raleigh, NC 27609-7533
PO Box 20007
Raleigh, NC 27619-0007
Telephone (919) 326-1100, (919) 326-1109
Fax (919) 326-0036
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CORE FACULTY
Gary R. Uremovich DMin MPAS PA-C
Program Director
Assistant Professor
704.233.8124
David A. Compton MD MPH
Assistant Program Director
Associate Professor
704.233.8187
Rosalind V. Becker MS PA-C
Academic Coordinator
Assistant Professor
704.233.6655
Michael B. Whitehead DHSc PA-C
Clinical Coordinator
Assistant Professor
704.233.8095
MEDICAL DIRECTOR
Roy C. Blank MD
Associate Professor
STAFF
Carolyn R. Little
Secretary to the Clinical Coordinator
704.233.8993
Marie Cook Irving
Program Assistant
704.233.8051
David A. Thompson
IT Support
704.233.8346
ADJUNCT INSTRUCTORS
Sharon A. Berenfeld MD
Rebecca B. Boeschel MSHS PA-C
George B. Collins PA-C
Theresa C. Hall MD
John F. Hartness, Jr., MD
Kay L. Hawkins MD
Timothy Patterson PA-C
V. Brook White ScM CGC
COMMUNITY LIAISON
Kay L. Hawkins MD
STATISTICIAN
Kelly A. Trindel PhD