The Elon PA Program helped to raise awareness of sexual assault and attended professional development opportunities at the end of the Spring 2024 semester.
The Elon University Physician Assistant (PA) program used the end of the Spring 2024 semester as an opportunity to reconnect with the community and participate in professional service opportunities.
Denim Day
The PA Class of 2024 held a sexual assault awareness activity to spotlight Crossroads, a local sexual assault and child advocacy center. The activity included a Denim Day, where students made a small donation to wear denim to class. The funds raised were used to purchase children’s books for their bookshelves. Crossroads keeps a store of books on site for any client. The books are shared for free.
Conference Connections
Faculty and staff also attended the American Academy of Physician Associate (AAPA) National Conference. Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Alexis Moore provided an overview of research related to the community engagement activity Start Early in Medicine, along with Summer Dunlap ’24. Lilly McGonegal ’24 served as the Elon PA Student Society delegate on the Assembly of Representatives of the AAPA.
Students also participated the National Medical Challenge Bowl, competing against PA programs from across the nation. Representing Elon PA were Michael McCormack ’25, Dylan Kantor ’24 and Lilly McGonegal ’24. Katrina Jackson ’25 and Savannah Summy ’25 served as alternates.
In addition to the Challenge Bowl, students showcased their advanced skills in the AAPA National iScan Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) competition. This event highlighted ultrasound proficiency, a skill developed through the program’s interest group USIG POCUS, the Clinical Year POCUS program, and the inaugural NC Scan 2024 POCUS competition held earlier in 2024. Students who competed in the iScan competition included Dylan Kantor ’24, Summer Dunlap ’24, Devron Felder ’25 and Lina Meikle ’25. The inaugural NC Scan team included Devron Felder ’25, Savannah Summy ’25 and Christina Saba ’24. Associate Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Cynthia Bennetts leads the POCUS program in PA Studies at Elon.
In addition to the national service opportunities, the NC Academy of PAs (NCAPA) recently held the annual PA Day at the Legislature. Assistant Professor of Physician Assistant Studies Anthony Clare represented Elon PA at the event. During the activity, Clare took part in conversations that advocated for the needs of PAs in NC and met with legislative representatives with practicing PAs as well as other PA learners.
