Ohio Dominican University Gains National Medical Industry Attention for Inaugural Physician Assistant Studies Class

COLUMBUS, OH - National medical industry professionals were on hand July 5 and 6 to help Ohio Dominican University launch Central Ohio's first Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies (PA) program. The inaugural class begins July 9, 2012, with 46 students, six more than the University had predicted.

Physician assistants are licensed to diagnose and treat patients under a doctor's supervision. They're among Ohio's 15 fastest-growing professions. Studies show an estimated 39 percent increase in job opportunities for this specialty between 2008 and 2018. It's the No. 1 most popular master's degree and the No. 2 most popular profession in the country.

ODU scheduled a two-day orientation July 5 and 6 for its first graduate class of PA students. The event took place in the Saint Albert Hall science building located on the University's main campus, 1216 Sunbury Road in Columbus. The orientation included presentations by the following medical industry professionals:

• Robert Wooten, American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) Past President and Chair of the Board
• Josanne Pagel, MPAS, PA-C, Karuna RMT - Director of Physician Assistant Services, The Cleveland Clinic; AAPA Secretary-Treasurer; Ohio Association of Physician Assistants' Governmental Affairs Committee Chair
• Amanda Puller, AAPA Membership Manager
• Mysheika LeMaile-Williams, MD, MPH, Medical Director of Columbus Public Health

Ohio Dominican University, a founded ministry of the Dominican Sisters of Peace, is a four-year private liberal arts institution, founded in 1911 in the Catholic and Dominican tradition. The University has 2,600 students and offers undergraduate degrees in 43 majors as well as seven graduate degree programs. Ohio Dominican uses a student-centered approach, with a commitment to quality teaching and learning.