Fast Facts About the Mercy College of Ohio PA Program
Fast Facts About the Mercy College of Ohio PA Program
Courtesy of Dawn LaBarbera, PhD, PA-C, Mercy College of Ohio PA Program Director and Professor
Program Name & Location: Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) Program, Mercy College of Ohio, Toledo, OH
Program mission, vision & values:
- Mission: The Mercy College of Ohio PA program provides a graduate-level learning experience that produces PA graduates who can provide competent, patient-centered medical care for diverse populations in a variety of clinical settings while also embracing service, scholarship, and leadership.
- Vision: The Mercy College of Ohio PA program will be a premier graduate-level PA educational program in which its graduates contribute service, scholarship, and leadership to meet the medical care needs of the region, the State of Ohio, and the nation.
What year did your program welcome its first class of students? 2021
What are the key milestones in your program’s history?
• ARC-PA Provisional Accreditation approval, granted September 2020
• Matriculation of First Cohort, May 2021
• Inaugural Blessing of Stethoscope Ceremony, August 2021
• HRSA Primary Care Training and Enhancement – Physician Assistant Rural Training (PCTE-PAR) Grant, awarded July 2022
• Inaugural White Coat Ceremony, August 2022
How many students have graduated from your program to date?
Our first class will graduate in August 2023, with an anticipated 19 graduates.
How has your program grown from the first class to today?
Our PA Program will be a smaller one. Our first cohort matriculated 20 students, and starting with our third cohort, the Class of 2025, we plan to matriculate 30 students each year.
How has your program contributed to creating a more diverse, just, and equitable profession?The PA Program collaborates closely with the Mercy College Director of Diversity and Inclusion (DEI). One PA program faculty member serves on the College’s DEI committee as a “Change Leader.” Change Leaders are tasked with creating and implementing education programs to expand DEI knowledge and build a culture of empathy and sense of belonging on campus.
How has your program impacted the community it serves?
100% of PA students in our first cohort have engaged in service activities, including volunteering at a local food bank and clinic for medically underserved people and those experiencing homelessness.
