Physician Assistant (PA) students and faculty from Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSM) left the confines of the classroom and took to the halls of the U.S. Congress, meeting with Sens. Richard Burr, Kay Hagan and Rep. Virginia Foxx to discuss important issues regarding the PA profession.
"Our PA students came to life, demonstrating confidence and knowledge in their advocacy for key health care reform issues and advancement of the PA profession in D.C.," said Reamer Bushardt, Pharm.D., PA-C, chair and director of the Department of WFSM PA Studies. "I cannot describe how proud the faculty was to see our students excel in their advocacy training program, then put what they learned into action with some of our country’s top lawmakers."
The attendees represented WFSM PA Studies program and joined hundreds of American Academy of Physician Assistant (AAPA) members and students in Washington, D.C. last month to advocate on Capitol Hill and receive leadership training at AAPA's Advocacy Boot Camp and Capitol Hill Day in conjunction with the CORE Leadership Forum.
“It showed me politicians are willing to listen and that through hard work PAs can have a seat at the discussion on health care,” said Josh Newton, WFU PA student.
According to WFU PA student Dawn O'Reilly, participating in the CORE Leadership conference and visiting with members of Congress gave her and fellow classmates the knowledge they need to make an impact in the future of health care.
WFU PA faculty in attendance were Bushardt, Sue Reich, PA-C, MPAS, assistant professor and co-director of Clinical Education, and Gail Curtis, PA-C, MPAS, assistant professor and vice chair of the Department of PA Studies.
Other student participants included WFSM PA students Bowie Train, Chioma Ngumezi, Jessica King, Brock Phillips and Krista Warner.
Media Relations
Lisa Davanzo: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587
Chad Campbell: news@wakehealth.edu, 336-713-4587