Nurturing and Educating the Pipeline (Pathway) - Pre-PA recruitment, student support, and didactic training: Q&A and Discussion

Proposal: This presentation is designed to be paired with the following ATSU presentations - ATSU Pipeline (Pathway) to Practice for Equitable Community Health: 1) University Mission Investment and Support and 2) Educational and CHC Partnerships/Teaching Health Centers. Medically underserved communities are disproportionately burdened with disease states that go untreated/undiagnosed due to lack of access to quality healthcare and reduced racial and ethnic concordance between patient and provider. Identifying future healthcare providers who have the heart to serve in underserved and under-resourced communities is a critical step in improving health outcomes for patients. Tessa Tibben, DHSc, PA-C Associate Professor for the A.T. Still University (ATSU) Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS) physician assistant (PA) program, Stephanie McGrew, MHA, Assistant Director for the ATSU Department of Diversity and Inclusion, and Thomas Hartman, DMSc, PA-C, Assistant Professor for the ATSU - ASHS PA program will present on actions to recruit PA students, support learners, and curriculum strategies to equip students for success in their medical training and beyond.

The Dreamline Pathways are comprehensive community-based collaborations that introduce K-12 students to graduate health professions programs offered by ATSU. ATSU has unique relationships with school districts and community-based organizations that provide experiential learning opportunities to students. This program is designed to assist students from historically underrepresented communities in persisting and realizing their healthcare career aspirations. Additionally, ATSU-ASHS nurtures prePA hopefuls via unique partnerships with HBCU and HSI institutions, and via the Hometown Scholars program.

Community college systems serve as a crucial higher education access point for students from rural, financially burdened, and historically underrepresented groups. Multiple studies have shown that students who participate in the community college pathway to higher medical education demonstrate both a higher representation of underrepresented minority (URM) students and a higher prevalence of working with underserved communities. The Arizona Community College Outreach Program instituted at A.T. Still University connects students with PA faculty and admissions representatives and provides free services such as personal statement writing workshops, application review, and interview tips in preparation for applying for graduate medical education.

Given these populations' unique challenges, equal consideration and attention are pivotal in preparing learners to serve in rural and underserved communities successfully. ATSU has thoughtfully woven teachings regarding social determinants of health and curated experiential learning activities to prepare students for clinical year experiences, allowing them to consider the complexities of barriers for underserved and under-resourced patients and improve healthcare outcomes.