PA Program Celebrates 30th Graduating Class

Commencement 2007 for the thirtieth graduating class of the Physician Assistant Program took place on May. The event was held in the Atrium of the Health Science Learning Center and special guests included:

• Robert Golden, MD (Dean of the School of Medicine and Public Health),
• Jim Davis, MD, MS (Interim Chair for the Department of Family Medicine),
• Dean Beverly Bawden (Assistant Dean of Health Professions Programs, SMPH).

Dean Golden toasted the Class of 2007 and shared three tips to the parting students, including:

• The need to remember that as practitioners of medicine, we are dedicated to "serve the patient"
• It is always a good idea to "remember to negotiate parking within contract considerations" and
• The need to maintain a "good balance within their careers" to include all important matters of life

Additionally, Dr. Jim Davis shared several pointers with the graduates as they enter their clinical careers. The attendance and participation of Dean Golden and Dr. Davis served as a special tribute to the graduates.

PA Program faculty and staff, and John Beasley, MD, PA Program Medical Director, were pleased to celebrate the accomplishments of twenty-nine graduates within the Class of 2007. Of these, twelve graduates were recognized for Special Recognition in Academic Excellence. Two graduates were Distance Education graduates. Ms. Katie Luettgen, President of the PA Class of 2007, also shared a toast with her graduate colleagues, while highlighting special events and remembrances of the class.

Honored guests during the ceremony included:

• Ms. Beverlee Speece, MTS, PA-C
• Joseph McCormick, MD
• Jayme McGraw, PA-C, MS

Beverlee Speece was chosen by the graduating class to receive the Instructor of the Year Award. Bev joined the PA Program faculty during the 2006-2007 academic year to be involved in teaching the Clinical Medicine, OB/GYN, Emergency Medicine and Professional Issues courses. Additionally, Bev works part-time at Meriter Hospital Emergency Department. The graduates had many exceptional comments to share on Bev's behalf, including:

• Acknowledgement of her always positive, enthusiastic nature
• Her ability to relate learning experiences to personal clinical experiences
• Her extremely thoughtful, succinct ability to relay difficult concepts
• Her dedicated approach, often going "above and beyond" to assist students during their didactic education.

Dr. Joseph McCormick and Jayme McGraw received the Preceptors of the Year Award. Dr. McCormick and Jayme are a physician and physician assistant team in Orthopedic Surgery at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Appleton, Wisconsin. They have a clinical emphasis on joint replacement, sports related injuries and pediatrics. Comments from students who nominated this team point out their ability to "make learning an easy and enjoyable experience," as well as their willingness "to always be available, devoting extra time as needed to help the student," and in general, their excitement for their profession and their overwhelming support for the PA profession.

Brian Quick, graduate of the Class of 2007, was chosen by his peers to receive the Outstanding Senior Student Award. Brian was recognized as a dedicated student, always concerned about "getting the most" out of his educational experience. He was very active within the class, but yet very unassuming and humble. Brian was a "true team player" and a strong contributor to the class. It was commented that Brian is a characteristic example of what a PA student should represent.

As a class, the Class of 2007 distinguished itself as a very compassionate, service-oriented group of individuals, whose list of achievements is quite extensive. A few highlights of their accomplishments include:

• International medical service delivering primary care needs to residents in villages of Guatemala and Belize;
• Regular participation in Medic Clinics, national student association service projects, and fund-raising activities dedicated to causes such as Hurricane Katrina relief effort, the UW Kids Cancer Fund and Medic;
• Participation in state and national professional associations and conferences, PA Week activities, mentor programs and interdisciplinary activities with the medical students.

Upon graduation, and following successful completion of the NCCPA (National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants), these newest PA graduates are anxious to enter a diversity of primary care, internal medicine, hospitalist and surgical specialties.

The PA Program is pleased to announce the graduation of our thirtieth PA Class and wish to extend to them the very best in their future endeavors.