Silver Society Receives Chancellor’s Diversity and Inclusion Award
May 2013 - The Chancellor’s Diversity and Inclusion Award for outstanding work in the area of diversity and inclusion was awarded to two students, a student group, two staff members and a faculty member. CHA/PA Silver Society was chosen for the student group award. A key university strategic priority is to enhance diversity at CU university-wide and foster a culture of inclusion. Brenda Allen, Ph.D., the Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion noted at the award dinner, "I believe we are well on our paths ... that we are seeking to transform the University of Colorado Denver and the Anschutz Medical Campus in terms of diversity and inclusion. I really applaud all of our honorees -- every one of you deserves these accolades."
Permanent CHA/PA Director Appointed
May 2013 - Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C has been appointed as the permanent Director of the CHA/PA Program. Jon has been a member of the CHA/PA faculty since 2006 and graduated from CHA/PA in 2001. As the first physician assistant to serve as the CHA/PA Program Director, Jon is excited to continue the CHA/PA legacy of educating the nation's finest PA's.
Silver Society Receives Excellence Award
April 2013 - CHA/PA's Silver Society has been chosen as the recipient of the Excellence Award for Outstanding Student Organization for the 2012-13 Excellence Awards for Student Organizations, Leadership and Service. This award is provided by the AMC Student Senate on behalf of students, staff or faculty to the student or student organization whom they believe went above and beyond, exhibiting excellence, in their respective category.
The Silver Society has consistently represented the university as well as the CHA/PA program in the surrounding community. They have completed several events where they either raised money, volunteered support and service or provided educational counseling on pediatric nutrition to children and their parents.
The AMC Student Senate believes that Silver Society is an outstanding representation of the campus’ amazing student organizations and the tireless work they contribute to the university.
Kevin Bogart Joins the CHA/PA Faculty
March 2013 - Kevin Bogart, MPAS, PA-C graduated from the CHA/PA Program in 2010. He practiced in Primary Care Internal Medicine at Denver Health and was a regular guest lecturer and small group facilitator until joining the faculty full time in 2013. Kevin’s clinical interests are in adult medicine, working with diverse urban/underserved populations, international health and motivating behavior change through interviewing. Kevin will be teaching the 2nd year Adult Clinical medicine course, developing novel adult clinical simulations for our SIMM’s course, and leading an inter-professional ethics small group. He will also be involved in improving diversity in admissions and cultural competencies within the PA program and profession.
Faculty Member Receives Award
March 2013 - Faculty member Darcy Solanyk received the Barbara Quarantillo Scholarship award. The family and friends of Barb Quarantillo and the Section of Pediatric Infectious Disease sponsors this award that provides a scholarship to the recipient to attend The Children's Hospital Annual Pediatric Infectious Disease Conference held in Vail each fall.
Student Honored by the Colorado Academy of Physician Assistants
February 2013 - Andrew Henrichs, Class of 2014, was awarded the CAPA (CO Academy of Physician Assistants) scholarship. The CAPA scholarship is awarded annually to honor a student who has demonstrated the highest level of service to the PA profession and community and who ideally has potential for future professional leadership. Selection criteria for this award consists of the student's demonstration of an evolving professional identity, and a dedication to uphold and advance the values, ethics, knowledge and mission of the PA profession within their school and community. Additionally, the scholarship committee looks for evidence of dedication in the form of professionalism, leadership, PA promotion, service, competence, and scholarship.
Denver Post Profiles CHA/PA's Oral Health Curriculum
November 2012 - The Denver Post covered our oral health curriculum in their article "CU Physician Assistant Program among nation's pioneers for dental education". Kelly Gann, a CHA/PA graduate, shared her experience with dental care at the Salud Family Health Center. Additionally, our Director Jonathan Bowser discussed the importance of dental training. "Physician assistants are often the first line of defense — and education — for the poor, who may not normally visit a dentist and seek services such as cleaning or fluoride varnishes," noted Bowser. Read the article for more information about the importance of oral health care training and the organizations that made it possible.
Interim Director Jonathan Bowser Presented with the Rising Star Award
November 2012 - Interim Director Jonathan Bowser was presented with the Rising Star Award at the national PAEA conference. This award is given to program faculty or staff with 3-7 years of service for demonstrated contributions or accomplishments in teaching, research or other scholarly activities, administration, and professional service.
According to the nomination letter from Celia Kaye, MD. PhD, Senior Associate Dean, CU School of Medicine, the CHA/PA Program does not have teaching awards, but the students may honor faculty members with an inviation to be the class commencement speaker. Bowser has been selected four times for this honor. "He is a thoughtful and insightful human being, and he brings these qualities as well as patience, humor, and persistence to everything he does," wrote Kaye.
CHA/PA Faculty Present Posters and Workshops at the PAEA Annual Education Forum
What Is Your QI IQ? Recognizing the Importance of Quality Improvement in the Physician Assistant Curriculum
Presented by: Joyce Nieman, MHS, PA-C, University of Colorado; Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado
Training and Utilization of Oral Health Knowledge and Skills for Physician Assistant Students
Authors: Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado; Jacqueline Sivahop, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado
Team-Based Learning: A Practical Exercise in Teaching Workshop
Presented by: Jeanie McHugo, PhD, PA-C, University of North Dakota; Jonathan Bowser, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado
Attention Clinical Coordinators! Are Your Students Part of the Patient Safety Team?
Presented by: Joyce Nieman, MHS, PA-C, University of Colorado; Jacqueline Sivahop, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado
Let’s Work Together: Exploring Innovative Solutions to the Clinical Site Shortage
Presented by: Gerald Glavaz, MPAS, PA-C, Loma Linda University; Jacqueline Sivahop, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado
An Integrated Longitudinal Approach to Teaching- Palliative and End-of-Life Care
Presented by: David Eckhardt, PA-C, University of Colorado; Kyle Tick, MSW, University of Colorado
Holistic Admissions – Overcoming Challenges of Implementation into PA School Admissions Processes
Presented by: Christina Robohm, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado; Cathy Ruff, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado
Strategies for Implementing Interprofessional Education
Presented by: Darcy Solanyk, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado; Cathy Ruff, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado
Interactive In-Class Activities to Engage Students in Evidence-Based Medicine
Presented by: Darcy Solanyk, MS, PA-C, University of Colorado; Lisa Traditi, MLS, AHIP, University of Colorado
Jacqueline Sivahop's Workgroup & 9News Awarded Heartland Emmy
October 2012 - Faculty Member Jacqueline Sivahop has been a member of The Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) Prevention Workgroup at Children's Hospital Colorado since 2010. She is now a co-chair of one of the SBS subcommittees and has been involved in public service announcement commercials on Channel 9 and television interviews on the topic. The SBS Prevention Workgroup was excited and honored to learn of the
recent award of a Heartland Emmy to their community partner, KUSA – 9news for the public service announcement “Never Shake a Baby”. The SBS workgroup works in collaboration with 9news to create public service announcements on this important topic. Jacqueline is currently working with our 2nd year students to train them on the adolescent education on “How to Calm a Crying Baby” created by her SBS subcommittee. The students will be presenting this material to adolescents throughout the Denver area this fall semester.
Physician Assistant Week - October 6-12
October 2012 - In response to an invitation from the CHA/PA Silver Society, Governor John Hickenlooper issued a proclamation that October 6-12, 2012 was Physician Assistant Week. We're honored that the proclamation was approved and officially recognizes the importance and contribution of Physician Assistants in Colorado. Our Silver Society's Diversity and Recruitment Committee members organized various events during PA Week to promote the PA profession. Students sent thank you cards to all preceptors from last year, including hand delivering thank you's to local preceptors. CHA/PA students also had a bake off to benefit Organic Health Response, a organization that raises money for Women's Health services on an island in Africa.
Student Awarded a National Health Service Core Scholarship
October 2012 - April Kennedy, Class of 2015, received a National Health Service Core Scholarship. The NHSC Scholarship Program (NHSC SP) awards scholarships to students pursuing primary health care professions. In return for each school year, or partial school year, of financial support received, students agree to provide primary health care services for one year at an NHSC-approved site located in a high-need Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA) including urban, rural, and frontier communities across the nation. Many types of health care facilities are NHSC-approved sites. Additionally, the NHSC provides support to scholars while in school and offers tools and resources after graduation, during training, and while in practice.
Christina Robohm accepts Director Position at Carroll University
September 2012 - Christina Robohm served as Associate Director of Admissions and Student Life beginning in 2008. She joined the faculty in 2000 and was involved in alumni affairs, admissions, and student organizations, such as the Silver Society. She became the Director of Physician Assistant Studies at Carroll University in September. We wish her all the best in her new position!