CHCS - Perspectives - Summer/Fall 2014

PERSPECTIVES • SUMMER–FALL 2014 38 Physician Assistant Week is an annual event that recognizes the creation and achievements of the physician assistant profession. The date originally noted to be October 6 was the birthday of founder Eugene Stead, M.D. This event was last celebrated during the week of October 6-12, 2013, which al- lowed the physician assistant class of 2015 to pro- mote the PA profession throughout the week in different settings. The class effectively pooled its resources to make special things happen under the strong leadership of its student government. Spectacular advertisement of PA week was provided by a striking billboard situated near the Florida Turnpike SR 528 exit for the entire week that promoted the NSU physician assistant pro- grams, the College of Health Care Sciences, and the university as a whole. The billboard’s use was made possible by class of 2015 physician assistant student Jessica Hutton. Many other students contributed to the success of PA Week. Lauren Winsten and Jennifer McLaughlin created colorful poster boards that provided informa- tion about the PA profession as well as preventative health care. On October 5, over 30 students partici- pated in two simultaneous events—one at Fort Laud- erdale beach near Las Olas Boulevard and the other at the Panera Bread restaurant across from NSU. An- gela Abboud, Farah Alli, Hanna Coyle, and Jenna Ef- fron obtained permission and set up the events, while Deanna Wozunk (class president) and Christine Schwiebert (vice president) coordinated the events while they were taking place. At Fort Lauderdale beach, the students educated the public about melanoma prevention under the su- pervision of Robin Schugar, D.H.Sc., M.S.P.A.S., PA- C, clinical director. They also distributed convenient business-size cards featuring the warning signs of melanoma, along with sunscreen samples donated by a local dermatologist. Most importantly, they de- scribed the role physician assistants play in the health care system. At Panera Bread, the students provided informa- tion about the PA profession, performed blood-pres- sure screenings, and educated the public about the consequences and prevention of high blood pressure MEETS PROFESSION Class of 2015 Promotes the Physician Assistant Profession PHYSICIAN ASSISTANT Fort Lauderdale By Pamela Jaffey, M.D., FCAP, Associate Professor Class of 2015 PA student Haley Lowe educates a Panera Bread patron about the PA profession while performing a blood-pressure screening. Passion