454 Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences—Department of Physician Assistant About the Program The Department of Physician Assistant—Orlando offers a modern program that lasts 27 months. Upon successful completion of study, the student is awarded a Master of Medical Science degree in Physician Assistant. The curriculum includes rigorous instructions in basic science subjects, followed by clinical medicine, physical diagnosis, clinical laboratory medicine, clinical pathophysiology, clinical procedures, surgical skills, electrocardiography, radiology, and psychiatry. The student also takes courses in the Master of Medical Science program including health care law and ethics, epidemiology and biostatistics, research methodology, cultural issues in health care, publication skills, and medical research, as well as a graduate project. During the clinical year of study, the student participates in clinical rotations predominantly in Central Florida. Required six-week rotations include family medicine, internal medicine, behavioral health, pediatrics, gynecology and prenatal care, emergency medicine, general surgery, and one selective of six weeks from one of the following areas: dermatology, geriatrics, otorhinolaryngology, cardiology, neurology, or orthopedics. The clinical year contains one four-week elective rotation. With a sound foundation in medical training, NSU graduates are prepared to work in many clinical areas, both in primary care and specialty medicine. Accreditation At its March 2024 meeting, the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant, Inc. (ARC-PA) placed the Nova Southeastern University – Orlando Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Nova Southeastern University on Accreditation-Probation status until its next review in March 2026. Probation accreditation is a temporary accreditation status initially of not less than two years. However, that period may be extended by the ARC-PA for up to an additional two years if the ARC-PA finds that the program is making substantial progress toward meeting all applicable standards but requires additional time to come into full compliance. Probation accreditation status is granted, at the sole discretion of the ARC-PA, when a program holding an accreditation status of Accreditation - Provisional or Accreditation - Continued does not, in the judgment of the ARC-PA, meet the Standards or when the capability of the program to provide an acceptable educational experience for its students is threatened. Once placed on probation, a program that fails to comply with accreditation requirements in a timely manner, as specified by the ARC-PA, may be scheduled for a focused site visit and is subject to having its accreditation withdrawn. Specific questions regarding the Program and its plans should be directed to the Program Director and/or the appropriate institutional official(s). The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-nova -se-university-orlando/. Mission Statement • to provide a high-quality training program designed for, and dedicated to producing, culturally competent physician assistants who will provide quality health care in rural, urban, underserved, and culturally diverse communities • t o provide an exemplary educational experience, which emphasizes primary medical care, yet will enable graduates to manifest competency and skill in a variety of clinical environments • to inspire graduates to pursue lifelong learning • t o foster leadership qualities, which will enable graduates to improve access to quality, affordable health care • t o heighten the stature of the physician assistant profession by training quality graduates Program Goals • P roduce competent graduates to provide primary health care. • I ncrease accessibility of quality health care in the primary care setting. • D evelop student skills necessary for lifelong learning and leadership roles and promotion of the physician assistant profession. Course of Study The Physician Assistant Program curriculum is completed following an acceptable bachelor’s degree. The comprehensive PA curriculum, completed in a consecutive manner, is oriented to primary care and prepares the student to practice in a wide variety of clinical settings. The first 15 months of study consist of basic sciences and clinically related didactic courses. All courses are required and must be successfully completed before advancing to the next semester or the clinical year. During this time frame, students may be in class from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., additionally, there Physician Assistant Program—Orlando
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