SALUS€¦ · the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), including coursework, a...
Transcript of SALUS€¦ · the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), including coursework, a...
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SALUS
Physician AssistantCollege of Health Sciences
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clinics as well as hundreds of practice sites across the country.
Salus is a multidisciplinary university that encourages a
collaborative campus culture, ensuring that students are well
grounded in today’s team approach to health care.
Because Salus pushes the frontiers of education, our
graduates stand at the forefront of their professions. That’s
why ambitious students from around the world choose to study
at Salus. This private university, located in a quiet suburb
outside Philadelphia, is a goal-oriented community united in a
common purpose: to make a real difference in the lives of real
people. Our name—Salus, from a Latin word meaning “health
and well-being”—embodies that mission.
Salus delivers more clinical immersion: more extensive, more
The Physician Assistant program at Salus University delivers an education designed forthe way physician assistants practice today. These frontline providers are taking expandedroles in health care and shouldering greater responsibility for direct patient care. Our programresponds to this new reality, offering such distinctions as an anatomy-based curriculumand an early, intense clinical program. Our graduates draw on a deep understanding—nota mere recognition—of human health and disease to meet these ever-growing challenges.
A SPIRIT OF INNOVATION drives the educational
philosophy of Salus University. It was true in 1919, when
the university was founded as the Pennsylvania College of
Optometry, the nation’s first nonprofit, independent college of
optometry. And it is true today, as Salus continues to pioneer
advances in Physician Assistant studies, Optometry, Audiology,
and Low Vision Education and Rehabilitation at its
graduate-level colleges.
Our academic programs feature innovative biomedical-
based curricula as well as early and extensive clinical training.
Hands-on skills are learned in state-of-the-art teaching labs, and
direct patient care is mastered in our own community-based
Salus University comprises
four accredited colleges:
• College of Health Sciences
• Pennsylvania College of Optometry
• George S. Osborne College
of Audiology
• College of Education and Rehabilitation
www.salus.edu/physicianassistant
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Elkins Park CampusOn Salus’s 11.5-acre main campus,students enjoy suburban convenience,modern academic buildings, and quickaccess to the professional opportunities ofthe greater Philadelphia metro region.Teaching facilities for the Physician Assistant program include two dedicated labs and community-based clinics in optometry and audiology.
varied, more intense, more hands on, more patient centered.
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Frontline InsightsOur faculty members strive tocontinue their clinical practice asphysician assistants in private, military, and international practice.This ensures that your Salus educationis fresh, current, and relevant.
www.salus.edu/physicianassistant
Faculty members are
nationally certified
physician assistants and
board-certified physicians
with extensive clinical
experience, ranging from
specialty medicine to
primary care. They are
also devoted educators
who are generous with
their time and attention.
“You can tell, just by the
way faculty members talk to
you, that they are genuine
and really care,” says
second-year student
Trenise Robinson.
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Physician assistants work in
all medical and surgical spe-
cialties and settings as part of
physician–physician assistant teams.
They collaborate on specialty health
care teams and assume direct responsi-
bility for their patients’ well-being.
This evolving role demands an educa-
tion grounded in the realities of con-
temporary practice. Salus University’s
Physician Assistant program in the
College of Health Sciences delivers
this kind of education, through a new
and innovative 25-month residential
program leading to a Master of
Medical Science (M.M.S.) degree.
This is a program designed to
meet today’s standards and anticipate
tomorrow’s advances. Our fully
integrated curriculum begins with a
strong foundation in basic science and
pathophysiology that integrates course-
work with clinical practice in our
on-campus clinical skills lab and gross
anatomy lab. Students learn evidence-
based medicine theory and work in
small groups on case-based problems
that encourage teamwork and develop
critical thinking ability. Our energetic
and dedicated faculty members
closely mentor students who move
through the program in a unified
class cohort, creating a close-knit
and supportive learning community.
Early and extensive clinical edu-
cation is a hallmark of Salus University,
and the Physician Assistant program
is no exception. Patient contact and
community immersion are introduced
in the first year. The second year is de-
voted to clinical experiences in a variety
of health care specialties and settings,
including top-flight hospitals and
medical centers. Your education culmin-
ates with a capstone project that pulls
together all your medical knowledge,
clinical skills, and professional values.
Graduates of Salus University’s
Physician Assistant program enter the
profession with an education designed
specifically for the evolving demands
placed on today’s
physician assistant.
And that gives you
an edge.
Distinctions of Our Program
Commitment to campus–community interactive learning
Student:faculty ratio lower than the national average
- Fully integrated curriculum with on-campus cadaver lab
Patient care and clinical experiences start in the first year
B O DY WORK
The curriculum integrates coursework withlab work for each body system.
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Immediate ImmersionSalus works hard to introduce first-year students to unique shadowing experiences.
www.salus.edu/physicianassistant
Physician assistants
enjoy many personal
and professional
rewards. The profession
has been ranked the
country’s fourth fastest
growing by both
CNN.com and
Forbes.com and has
been named a Top 10
profession five years
running by both
Money and US News &
World Report.
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Your education at Salus
University’s College of Health
Sciences begins with a 13-
month didactic year that provides an
integrated foundation in biomedicine’s
basic and clinical sciences. Over three
terms, your coursework sequentially
builds a thorough knowledge of general
medicine, patient assessment and
management, and pharmacology and
therapeutics. You will learn the physiol-
ogy and pathophysiology of all body
systems as well as the application of this
knowledge in special patient populations,
including pediatrics, geriatrics, and
women’s medicine.
The use of cadavers to teach
anatomy and physiology is evidence of
our commitment to a quality education.
Custom-designed—not retrofitted—for
the teaching of physician assistants, our
gross anatomy lab familiarizes students
with the human body and facilitates the
correlation of coursework with anatom-
ical knowledge and clinical skills and
procedures. In addition, our clinical skills
lab gives students the opportunity to
apply their new abilities in a simulated
patient-care environment. Coursework
and lab work are fully integrated, so that
classroom lessons on the cardiovascular
system, for example, are complemented
by relevant hands-on practice.
Beginning in the first term,
students learn to apply evidence-based
medicine in the Clinical Problem
Solving course sequence that extends
throughout the didactic year. Working
in small groups, students use critical
thinking and problem-solving techniques
to address complex case studies under
the guidance of faculty. They are thus
well prepared for the weekly preclinical
experiences introduced in the second
term. Visiting a variety of practice
settings, students initially observe expe-
rienced clinicians at work and then
progressively provide direct patient care
as their skills and confidence grow.
C LO S E CON TAC T
A peer-to-peer mentoring program matches each entering student with an experienced physician assistant student, easing your transition to the Salus community.
Great Spaces for Learning
C L I N I C A L S K I L L S A S S E S S M E N T
L A B : Acclimate to the professional practice environment in this lab that simulates a primary care clinic, right down to exam tables, privacy drapes, and computers for ordering and coding, plus an audiovisual system for lectures and demonstrations.
C A D AV E R L A B : Receive firsthand exposure to human anatomy in this state-of-the-art lab, equipped with stainless steel tables, a full set of dissection instru-ments, and a video system for teaching and sharing special instructions.
E Y E A N D E A R C O M M U N I T Y C L I N I C S :Learn to collaborate in specialty health careteams through learning experiences at The Eye Institute and the Pennsylvania Ear Institute, Salus’s on-campus clinical teach-ing facilities for optometry and audiology.
C L I N I C A L P R O B L E M - S O LV I N G
C L A S S R O O M S : Work in small groups in specially designed conference-style classrooms, analyzing and resolving patient cases—just like professional health care teams.
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Clinical PartnersOur challenging clinical program brings students intoprestigious practice sites, including Mayo Clinic, St. Jude Children’s ResearchHospital, Temple UniversityHospital, Albert EinsteinMedical Center, and JeanesHospital.
www.salus.edu/physicianassistant
Students receive intense
preparation for
the Physician Assistant
National Certifying
Exam (PANCE),
including coursework,
a senior seminar, two
practice tests, and
a board review course
in the senior year.
This focus on student
success pays off: Our
inaugural graduating
class posted a 100%
pass rate on PANCE.
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Students of the College of Health
Sciences begin their clinical year
with confidence in their medical
knowledge, clinical skills, and profes-
sional attitude. The second year of study
is dedicated entirely to clinical rotations
that provide direct patient care experiences
in primary and specialty medical care
settings. Over these 12 months, you will
transition from a learner to a practitioner,
capable, compassionate, and prepared
for a career as a physician assistant.
Students perform a total of ten
clinical rotations over three terms; each
rotation is five weeks long and brings
the student into a different professional
practice site. Eight required rotations
cover the following core areas: emergency
medicine, family medicine/primary
care, internal medicine, general surgery,
geriatric medicine, pediatric medicine,
and women’s health/prenatal care. Two
elective rotations are chosen by the
student, permitting further exposure to
a core area or specialty in which the
student can reinforce his/her knowledge
or gain experience.
Our extensive clinical program ex-
poses students to a wide spectrum of
practice environments, including clinics,
hospitals, long-term-care facilities, and
private practice settings. Most rotation
sites are nearby, thanks to Salus’s strategic
location in a well-populated urban/
suburban region; students rarely need to
relocate. The number of sites is continu-
ally growing to meet students’ needs, and
our clinical program staff devotes the
majority of its time to developing new
and maintaining established relationships.
An advanced didactic component
complements your clinical year and caps
your Salus education. This transitional
component is your bridge into health
care practice, covering such professional
topics as ethics, insurance, credential-
ing and licensure, and continuing
medical education. Students
conclude their educa-
tion by presenting
a Grand Rounds
case study of a
patient encoun-
tered during
clinical rotations.
Highlights of Clinical Program
First-year students shadow physician assistants and other providers
in professional settings in their pre-clinical exposure activity.
Second-year students complete ten five-week rotations during which
they provide direct patient care under supervision.
Core and elective rotations provide exposure to as many
as ten medical disciplines.
Rotations are completed in top-flight hospital, ambulatory medicine,
private office, and long-term-care settings.
S T U DY S P OT
The Gérard Cottet Library has extensive print and electronic resources
to support your studies.
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The Hafter Student
Community Center
gives students a place
to work out, relax
alone, or connect with
classmates. This
new, 36,000-square-
foot complex is
staffed with full-time
instructors and
includes a fitness facility,
suspended running
track, and full-size
basketball court. A
comfortable lounge area
includes televisions,
game room, kitchenette,
and meeting rooms.
Class Profile(Recent entering class)
SIZE:
45 students from
20 states
AGE:
21 to 44 (mean age, 23)
DIVERSITY:
69% female;
13% minority
ACADEMIC BACKGROUND:
Four-year degrees: 100%
Average GPA: 3.61
www.salus.edu/physicianassistant
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Focused yet friendly—that’s how
students describe the Salus com-
munity. The main campus is
located in Elkins Park, a quiet place that
offers suburban conveniences with quick
access to the cultural and professional
opportunities of Philadelphia. (The train
to Philadelphia is a 15-minute walk
from campus.) The Elkins Park Campus,
beautifully landscaped on 11.5 acres of
a former estate, includes two modern
academic buildings and a student center
clustered near a pond.
Our busy students benefit from a
centralized campus with easy access to
academic and co-curricular resources, in-
cluding classrooms, laboratories, library,
bookstore, lounges, administrative offices,
and a comfortable cafeteria serving drinks,
snacks, and made-to-order hot and cold
foods. As a graduate-level university,
Salus assists students in relocating to the
area and choosing among many attractive,
affordable housing options in local
neighborhoods. Students find it conven-
ient to commute from Elkins Park, by car
or public transportation, to clerkships
throughout the Philadelphia region.
Within the Physician Assistant
program, close bonds among students
and faculty are forged through outdoor
retreats, national academic competitions,
small-group cultural immersions, and
other team-building experiences. Each
class develops its own mission statement,
and the Physician Assistant Program
Student Society organizes social events
and professional opportunities.
Salus students are connected by com-
mon goals and united in a shared mission,
making for a rich campus life. Students
work together to coordinate activities such
as humanitarian missions, charity fund-
raisers, student-faculty talent shows, and the
Salus Soiree semiformal dance. At Salus,
you’ll find a campus community as people-
centered as the health professions it serves.
H E A LT H CA R E H U B
Philadelphia is home to leading hospitals, academic medical centers, and other professional sites for physician assistant practice.
Salus University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed or religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disabilities, or veteran status in its programs and activities. For inquiries regarding our non-discrimination policies, contact Maura Alexander , Salus University Affirmative Action Officer, at 215.780.1266.
The Best of Philadelphia 1 . O P P O R T U N I T Y
It’s a metro center, a medical mecca, and a great place to launch a physician assistant career.
2. A R T S & C U LT U R E
It’s a cosmopolitan city of museums, theaters, restaurants, nightclubs, boutiques, and more.
3. S P O R T S
It’s a real sports town, with 12 professional teams, including the Flyers, Eagles, 76ers, and Phillies.
4. H I S T O R Y
It’s where America began, with a story stretching from the colonial to the contemporary.
5. L O C AT I O N
It’s at the center of the Northeast metropolitan corridor, close to New York and Washington DC, the Jersey Shore and the Pocono Mountains.
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How To ApplyApplicants.Your application must be
submitted through the Central Applica-
tion Service for Physician Assistants
(CASPA), the centralized application
service administered by the Physician
Assistant Education Association. The
submission period opens in April of
the year prior to the year of enroll-
ment and closes the following Winter .
Application should be made as early as
possible to ensure timely processing by
CASPA and priority consideration by
Salus University. Information is avail-
able at www.caspaonline.org.
International Students.You must
submit to Salus University a course-by-
course credential review from an accred-
ited agency. Although these services
can be obtained from several agencies,
the recommended agency for physician
assistant candidates is Educational
Credential Evaluators. Information is
available at www.ece.org.
Prerequisites
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, with a minimum GPA of 2.8
• Demonstration of technical standards required for admission to the program
• Documentation of at least 100 hours of health care experience as a volunteer, employee, or equivalent
• Experience observing or shadowing practicing physician assistants (strongly recommended)
• Completion of the following courses with a grade of 2.0 (C) or higher:
• Anatomy and Physiology I or Anatomy, with lab (4 credits)
• Anatomy and Physiology II or Physiology, with lab (4 credits)
• Chemistry I, with lab (4 credits)
• Chemistry II or Organic Chemistry, with lab (4 credits)
• Biology I, with lab (4 credits)
• Biology II or Genetics or Microbiology, with lab (4 credits)
• Intro to Psychology or General Psychology (3 credits)
• Mathematics or Statistics (3 credits)
• English Composition (3 credits)
(M.M.S.) degree from Salus University’s
College of Health Sciences is an excellent foundation for a rewarding career as a
physician assistant. Our 25-month residential program is an investment in a pro-
fession offering strong prospects and great personal satisfaction. Financial aid is
available; to discover the offerings for this year’s incoming class, visit www.salus.edu.
We encourage applications from candidates with the prerequisites listed here. Those
applicants best qualified to represent the physician assistant profession receive an in-
vitation for a campus visit and formal interview. This is our opportunity to get to
know you personally, and your opportunity to decide if Salus is right for you.
Visit: www.salus.edu/physicianassistant • Contact: 800.824.6262 or [email protected] • Apply: www.caspaonline.org
A Master of Medical Science
Connect with Salus
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