The Child Health Associate - Physician Assistant Program at the University of Colorado School of Medicine at the Anschutz Medical Campus is a top 10 program with opportunities in our rural track and scholarship programs in the Denver - Colorado region.

Silver Society Recognition

April 2012 - The Silver Society has been selected to receive the award for the AMC campus Outstanding Community Service by a Student Organization award for 2011-2012.  This is a wonderful honor for a group that has worked so hard to support community organizations throughout the area with their silent auctions, “bake donations,” and drives for services and clothing.   

Associate Director Cathy Ruff Publishes an Article

March 2012 - The Journal of Physician Assistant Education published Cathy Ruff's article on "An Educational Strategy for Using Physician Assistant Students to Provide Health Promotion Education to Community Adolescents".   The article discusses PA core competencies and the value of student involvement in community education with the adolescent population.

Faculty Member Jackie Sivahop Authors Preceptor Handbook

March 2012 - Jackie Sivahop is CHA/PA's 3rd year Clinical Coordinator and a member of the The Clinical Education Committee (CEC) of PAEA.  Jackie is one of four authors of the first edition Preceptor Handbook created by the CEC.  The CEC was tasked with creating a Preceptor Handbook that all PA Programs could utilize as a template in providing important information to their preceptors about clinical rotations.  All PA Programs that are members of PAEA will be receiving a copy of the Preceptor Handbook as well as online access to the Handbook.  PA Programs can then modify, update or create their own preceptor handbook from these materials.

Faculty Member Jonathan Bowser Appointed Interim Director 

March 2012 - Jonathan Bowser was named Interim Director of the CHA/PA Program effective March 16th.  Jonathan will serve in this leadership role while the program conducts a national search for a permanent director.   He has served as an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics for CHA/PA since 2006 and graduated from CHA/PA in 2001.  

Jonathan's scholarly interests are in the areas of testing and assessment, and he is involved with national efforts to promote oral health in primary care.  Additionally, Jonathan is involved in a partnership with Walter Sisulu University to promote a new medical profession in South Africa.  He serves on the Frontier Center Advisory Committee and the Physician Assistant Education Association Conference Curriculum Committee, and is the chair of a PANCE test-item writing committee for the National Commission on the Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA).

The past few years have been an incredible time of productivity for the CHAPA Program.  The PA profession is in a period of explosive growth and Anita has positioned the program very well to be a national leader in PA education.  Jon comments, "We have outstanding and energetic faculty and staff and the absolute best students in the country.  I have the wonderful privilege to serve as Interim Director, and I look forward to helping us transition to the next chapter in the CHAPA story."

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PA Foundation Scholarship Program

 

March 2012 - In recognition of the importance of diversity in the physician assistant work force, the PA Foundation is proud to announce a scholarship program for PA students, sponsored by Johnson & Johnson.Limited access to a healthcare professional that is representative of a patient’s cultural and/or linguistic background is associated with poorer health outcomes. According to the Center for American Progress, more than 84,000 lives could be saved annually by closing this health disparity gap.

These $25,000 scholarships will be awarded to deserving minority students who dream of becoming PAs, but who are prohibited by the high cost of PA education. Minority students who are considered economically disadvantaged and who are not yet enrolled in a PA program are eligible.

We kindly ask you to spread the word about this wonderful scholarship opportunity among eligible and interested students.

Applications for the Johnson & Johnson scholarships are due April 11. Click here for more information and to view a PDF version of the application.

 

Anita comments, “It is with mixed emotions that I announce that after 30 years with the CHA/PA program, I am leaving to pursue an opportunity to serve the PA profession in a new way.  I have accepted a position as President and CEO of the NCCPA Foundation, soon to be known as the nccPA Health Foundation.  In this role, I will be directing innovative research and programs that advance physician assistants nationally in their role to improve health care for all patients. I will also be working as a consultant and facilitative leader for the National Interprofessional Initiative on Oral Health.  I am excited to take all that I have learned from generations of PA students to these new leadership roles. I feel especially privileged to have worked with over 34 classes of CHA/PA students. I can honestly say that our students and faculty have never been stronger and I leave the program in very capable hands.”

All of the CHA/PA faculty, staff, and students wish Anita all the best in her new role and thank her for her involvement in CHA/PA for the last 30 years!

November 2011 - Collaborating Across Borders III (CAB III) is the third Canada—United States joint conference focusing on an exploration of common issues around interprofessional education (IPE) and practice (IPP).

Working across health professions to promote oral health in primary care: collaborative innovations in education and practice
Collaborating Across Borders III Interprofessional Collaboration: From Concept to Preparation to Practice, Tucson, Arizona.
Presented by: Anita Glicken, M. Deutchman, M. Dolce, C. Evans, L. Smith, R. Fuccillo

 

November 2011 - Several CHA/PA Faculty presented at the annual PAEA conference.  Presentations included:

Presentation included methods by which simulation facilitates learning, how to incorporate simulation into PA education, and how to identify the hurdles facing programs wanting to obtain and implement simulation.
Presented by: David Eckhardt, MS, PA-C

An Innovative Educational Partnership to Build Health Workforce in South Africa

The I’s and O’s of Preparing Students for Successful Inpatient Clinical Rotations, Focused Discussion Group

During this focused discussion group, educational formats, topics and resources for orienting students to inpatient clinical rotations was discussed.  Challenges and successful solutions were discussed in small and large group formats.  Participants’ ideas and solutions were disseminated during and after the session.
Presented by: Jacqueline Sivahop and David Eckhardt

Clinical Coordination Practices: Site Visits and Rotation Exams: How do we get it done?, Focused Discussion Group

Small and large group discussion regarding current practice and polices used by PA programs to monitor students and sites during the clinical year; and administration and content for end of rotation exams.  This information will inform the Clinical Education Committee of the Physician Assistant Education Association in the development of the new Clinical Coordinator Handbook.
Presented by:  Carol Gorney, Jacqueline Sivahop, Patrick Enking, Heidi Felix

November 17, 2011 -- Anita D. Glicken, MSW, professor of pediatrics and associate dean of PA Studies, and director of the Child Health Associate/PA Program, University of Colorado School of Medicine, was awarded the 2011 Research Achievement Award by the Physician Assistant Education Association (PAEA). The award, presented at PAEA’s recent Annual Education Forum in New Orleans, goes either to an individual who has established a distinguished record of scholarly contributions to PA education over many years or who has authored a recent seminal work of importance to PA educators.

 Glicken, who is nationally recognized for her grant-funded research and accomplishments, has served as principal investigator (PI) on multiple education and training grants. Program Director of the PA program at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, P. Eugene Jones, said of Glicken: “With a stellar record of over 100 peer-reviewed publications and several million dollars in competitive educational and research-related grant awards, she has consistently produced results and achieved remarkable success in a wide range of leadership and service roles for PAEA.”   Read More....

June 2, 2011 - Silver Society Recognized at AAPA Conference in Las Vegas. Awards included:

Outstanding Master Student Society Award for dedication to the PA profession, community, PA students, and future PAs.

Certificate of Appreciation to Christina Robohm in recognition of the dedication and support provided as faculty advisor of the Student Society

Certificate of Recognition in appreciation for a donation to the Caring for Communities Campaign.  This year the donation went to The Shade Tree in Las Vegas which serves homeless, abused women and children, victims of domestic violence, victims of elder abuse, victims of street violence, female veterans, homeless youth, and the physically disabled.

April 18, 2011 - Faculty Member Rebecca Maldonado, MS, PA-C, has been chosen as the recipient of the Excellence in Direct Teaching Award from the Academy of Medical Educators. Rebecca received the award at Honors Convocation at Invesco Field on May 26.