On April 10-13, 2019, the Utah Academy of Physician Assistants (UAPA) hosted the 30th Annual UAPA John Allen Memorial Conference in St. George, Utah. The conference brought together physician assistants (PA) from around the state of Utah and surrounding states and Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions (RMUoHP) was well-represented through student, faculty, and alumni attendance; leadership within the State association; scholarly presentations by students and faculty; and at a University-sponsored reception. The PA program also received excellent news during the event!
Leadership & Scholarship
Current PA students, faculty, and alumni from the first two cohorts of graduates were in attendance. RMUoHP faculty member, Jonathan Baird, MPAS, PA-C, ATC, currently serves as President Elect of UAPA. Faculty member Bryan Nelson, PA-C, serves as the UAPA Membership Chair, and Director of the Simulation Program Jennifer Johnson, MPAS, PA-C, CHSE, serves as the UAPA Website chair.
In addition, University faculty presented various sessions throughout the conference: “Updates in Medical Weight Management” by Jonathan Baird, MPAS, PA-C, ATC; “ENT” by Jennifer Johnson, MPAS, PA-C, CHSE; “Evidence Based Medicine” by Program Director Michael Nelson, DHSc, PA-C; “Digital/Mobile Health” by Viet Le, MPAS, PA-C, AACC. In addition, MPAS cohort 3 students presented various posters during the conference.
Accreditation News
While students, alumni, and faculty were at the UAPA Conference, the University was informed that the MPAS program received Accreditation-Continued status for 10 years (the maximum duration that can be awarded to a PA program) by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. RMUoHP’s MPAS is one of two active PA programs in the State of Utah (the University of Utah is the longest-standing program (and includes an extension at Dixie State University); Utah Valley University’s program is in the application status). For more information about the Master of Physician Assistant Program at RMUoHP, visit https://rm.edu/academics/master-of-physician-assistant-studies/.
Alumni & Friends Reception
Following Friday’s conference events, the RMUoHP Alumni Association hosted an Alumni and Friends Reception. The reception brought together students, alumni, faculty, and staff from the University’s Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program as well as future students and staff from the Doctor of Medical Science (DMSc) program, which starts its first cohort in May 2019.
At the reception, attendees were able to eat and network with fellow students, faculty, and alumni. Alumni and their families travelled as far as from Nebraska to earn continuing medical education (CME) credits at the conference and to attend the University’s reception. Alumni shared their stories of life after graduation with current students, as well as reconnected with their faculty. Students and alumni also walked away that night with a few prizes won during the Alumni Association drawing.
Alumni Association
The Alumni Association at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions works to provide support and opportunities for alumni to reach their professional and personal goals. Events like the reception hosted at UAPA help alumni reconnect with their university associates and provide environments for networking with other alumni and professionals. For more information about future alumni events, visit the RMUoHP Alumni Association Website.
