Physician Assistant (PA) Program Class of 2006
Master Project Symposium

The Master Project experience contributed significantly to the development of our Physician Assistant Scholars this year.  The University was very excited about the Symposium and proud of the work completed by the Master of Medical Science Degree graduates in the Class of 2006. The Master Project experience connected PA students to exceptional faculty advisors within various departments in the University and to project partners from an assortment of community agencies. The direction of Master Projects for the Class of 2006 was shared.  Ms. Debra Benfield was Director of Master Projects for the initial introductory phase in academic year 2004-2005 and Ms. Eleanor Russell was the Director of Master Projects for the final and completion phase in academic year 2005-2006 for this class. Drs. Ronny Bell and Greg Russell in the Division of Public Health Sciences provided instructional support to this component of the PA Curriculum. Both directors and all faculty colleagues are very pleased with the results!

(Please see the Symposium Gallery for photos from the event and the Compendium of project abstracts.)

The Annual Master Project Symposium of the Physician Assistant Program of Wake Forest University School of Medicine was held on Thursday, April 6, 2006 from 7:30 am to 5:00 pm on the Bowman Gray Campus of the Wake Forest University School of Medicine. The Master Project Symposium is a showcase for the two year research investment made by Physician Assistant (PA) students. The Symposium consisted of a Keynote Address, concurrent research presentations, and a poster exhibit.

This year the Keynote address: Tsunami of Tears- Relief Effort in Southern Thailand was given by Professor Donald M. Pedersen, PA-C, PhD and was supported by a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Physician Assistant Training in Primary Care Grant funded for 2004-2007 to develop patient-centered communication and cultural competency skills.

“Dr. Pedersen has been involved with the University of Utah School of Medicine PA Program since 1979, initially serving as Academic Coordinator. He has been the Program Director since 1988 after attaining a faculty appointment in the Department of Family and Preventive Medicine in the University of Utah School of Medicine. Dr. Pedersen is now a full professor and has authored over 45 articles and book chapters relating to clinical practice and physician assistant education. Under Dr. Pedersen’s leadership UPAP became a graduate program in the School of Medicine offering the Master’s of Physician Assistant Studies degree. Nationally, he is a past President of the Association of Physician Assistant Programs and in 1998 he founded the Association’s official journal Perspective on Physician Assistant Education, which he continues to edit. He also created the Association’s Research Institute that provides small grants for educational research by PA program faculty on a national level. During his tenure with the Association he established a liaison position with the Society of Teachers of Family Medicine and served in this capacity for two years. Dr. Pedersen is currently the Vice President of the Physician Assistant Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the American Academy of Physician Assistants. He completed ten years on the state of Utah Physician Assistant Licensing Board, serving two years as chair. In 2001 he initiated the Combat Medic/Corpsman Memorial Sculpture project that culminated in July of 2003 with a life-sized sculpture that now graces the entrance to the PA building on the University of Utah campus. He helped pioneer the Programs international clinical activity in Papua New Guinea and Thailand. Dr. Pedersen began oil painting 5 years ago and has had numerous shows of his artworks.” http://www.utah.edu/upap/faculty.html

Research poster presentations were reviewed by WFUSM students, faculty and guests.  Three concurrent oral presentation sessions were scheduled in the morning and afternoon of the Symposium day.  Each project was subjected to faculty, peer and investigator review providing a three hundred sixty perspective for evaluation.

(Please see the Compendium of Research Project Abstracts for the complete listing of projects)

Again this year, several Master Projects were disseminated in a variety of professional venues including regional and/or national conferences.

(Please see the Continued Master Project Outcomes listing)