PDs from Washington, D.C., Programs Welcome Forum to the City

From October 8 to 10, the PAEA Education Forum will be in Washington, D.C. Many of our members have been to this city, the nation’s capital, where PAEA is based. For others the Forum may be the reason for their first visit. 

To introduce Washington, we turned to two important residents: The PDs of Washington, D.C.’s, PA programs at Howard University, Dionne Soares, MPAS, PA-C, clinical assistant professor and department chair for the PA department, and Bart Gillum, DSc, PA-C,  assistant professor for the PA program at George Washington University.

Gillum said the George Washington University (GWU) program was founded more than 50 years ago, in 1972.

“We then launched a combined PA/MPH degree in 1986, which was the first joint degree program for PA students in the United States.  Each May, we matriculate an average of 65 students, of which, around 10 are dual degree PA/MPH students,” he said.

The GWU PA program is 24 months long and the PA/MPH program is 36 months start to finish. Because it is in the heart of the nation’s capital, many  GWU students participate each year in the AAPA Leadership and Advocacy Summit, and/or a Capital Hill visit to advocate for health policy changes.  

Soares said the Howard University Physician Assistant Program also has a significant history, founded in 1974, as one of the first PA programs established at a historically Black college or university (HBCU).

The Howard University Physician Assistant Program, which Soares said is affectionately called HUPA, was re-established in March 2023 to continue the legacy of producing competent and compassionate physician assistants who are underrepresented minorities in medicine.

“As an alum and now department chair/program director of the HUPA program, I have been a clinically practicing PA in women’s health for 24 years with 14 years combined in PA education,” Soares said.

With an August start to the HUPA program, 20 students are admitted per cohort. In the 25-month program, the students, who are eager to enter the healthcare workforce, earn a master’s in physician assistant studies at the end of their matriculation.

Gillum said he was proud of his team of PA educators.

“Of course, I am a little biased, but I think we have some of the best faculty on the planet. Among the 13 of us, we have well over 150 years of PA education experience. Many of our faculty have had leadership roles at the  local, state or national level in AAPA, and nationally with PAEA, ARC-PA, and NCCPA. We are also a very diverse team on many levels. Our applicants and accepted students comment on  how the racial, background, clinical experience and veteran status of our faculty make for a welcoming and accepting environment,” he said.

Soares said the educators serving HUPA students was also top-notch.

“Although small in number, our faculty is comprised of a dedicated and passionate team who strive to bring out the best in our students. Amongst the eight of us, we represent a cadre of medical specialties, inclusive of primary care, internal medicine, women’s health, surgery, and military medicine,” she said.

Neither Soares nor Gillum are native to the DC area, known locally as the DMV, but both say they love the city.

“As a popular tourist destination, DC is a rich political center as well as a culturally diverse city with variety of sites to explore, such as museums, monuments, and historical landmarks. It is also a great location for the adventurous palate because DC has an abundance of multicultural restaurants for the foodies,” said Soares.

She said Forum visitors interested in exploring the city may want to check out the DC Destination’s Things to Do webpage. Good restaurants to visit during Forum can be found here.

“I would encourage anyone coming to PAEA who has never been to DC to carve out time to visit the sites while here. DC has so much to offer, and it is PA Week, so let us show the city, PA educators are all that and then some,” Soares said.

While Soares has now lived in Washington for 25 years, Gillum has only been a resident for six years.

“I had only even ever visited DC twice before I took this job and one of those times was for my job interview! But every year I grow more and more in love with this city. The public transportation system is reliable, safe and clean. It can take you anywhere you want to go, and there are so many great neighborhoods to explore.  I personally love Dupont Circle, Adams Morgan, U-Street and old town Alexandria.  There are so many great restaurants, bars, coffee shops and bookstores. Even now, six years later, I still find a great neighborhood I never knew existed,” he said.

Gillum’s top recommendations included visiting the Memorials on the mall at night when the lighting is exquisite; seeing the National Museum of African American History and Culture at the Smithsonian, and the National Gallery of Art, which are both free; and making the trek to the Nixon Lounge at Watergate.

He added it’s a good idea to reserve tickets online for the African American Museum, the National Art Museum is “amazing and life changing,” and the Nixon Lounge happens to be directly across from GW’s PA Program offices.

“Stop in and say hello,” Gillum said.

GW is also having an alumni event on campus on Monday, Oct 7  from 6:30-8:30 p.m. ET just ahead of Forum. Any GW PA alumni who are attending Forum are welcome to attend. They can reach out to Gillum at bgillum@gwu.edu for details.