The Department of Physician Assistant (PA) Studies at the George Washington University (GW) School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) recently completed its reaccreditation process with the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA) earning “continuing accreditation,” the highest level granted by the ARC-PA, for a period of 10 years.
Named as one of the nation’s leading PA programs, according to U.S. News and World Report, the program is recognized for its pioneering curriculum and unique focus on community outreach, patient advocacy, and leadership. Program alumni consistently score above the national average on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination.
“The program faculty works tirelessly to make this program a success,” said Mary L. Warner, DBH, PA-C, chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies. “This important acknowledgement by the ARC-PA speaks to the strength of the program personnel, faculty and staff and their commitment to educating students, but also GW’s and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences’ commitment to the program.”
GW’s PA program has enjoyed continuous accreditation for more than 50 years, since the program was first accredited by the Joint Review Committee for Educational Programs for the Assistant to Primary Care Physician, the original program review body, in 1972. As one of the first programs to be established in an academic medical center, GW’s PA program graduates and faculty have held multiple leadership roles in the four major PA organizations and provided high quality medical, surgical, and behavioral health care as members of interprofessional teams in numerous health systems, clinics, federally qualified health centers, and private health facilities.
