Our Mission
As the physician assistant program, our mission is to develop highly competent and compassionate physician assistants who are committed to patient-centered care.
Our core values are:
- Teamwork: A collaborative, multidisciplinary approach is key to providing quality healthcare and is the cornerstone on which the PA profession was built.
- Integrity: Honesty, respect, and high ethical standards are important traits of a healthcare provider.
- Professionalism: Standards of professional conduct create role models for others, avoid conflicts of interest, promote cultural competence, and exhibit dedication to quality medical care.
- Empathy: Compassionate and understanding healthcare providers address the concerns of the whole person
Graduation Rate
| Class of 2018 | Class of 2019 | Class of 2020 | |
| Maximum entering class size (as approved by ARC-PA) | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| Entering class size | 51 | 53 | 52 |
| Graduates | 47 | 51 | 48 |
| *Attrition rate | 0.08 | 0.04 | 0.08 |
| **Graduation rate | 0.92 | 0.96 | 0.92 |
Data as of 12/1/20
*Attrition rate calculation: Number of students who attritted from cohort divided by the entering class size.
**Graduation rate: Number of cohort graduates divided by the entering class size.
Program outcome data published as required by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
Employment Rates
| By 6 Months Post Graduation | ||
| 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| 100% | 97% | 100% |
Source: Graduate and 6-month alumni surveys (average reporting rate 70%)
Physician Assistant Program Learning Outcomes
Prior to graduation from the DMU PA program, students will have shown the ability to:
- Demonstrate and apply knowledge of basic scientific principles as they relate to evidence-based clinical medicine.
- Take a comprehensive patient history and perform an appropriate physical exam to obtain information needed to formulate an appropriate differential diagnosis for patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings.
- Recognize the epidemiology, etiology, signs and symptoms, and appropriate diagnostic studies necessary to provide an accurate diagnosis for patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings.
- Utilize preventive health measures and manage disease in patients across the lifespan, in varying encounter types and settings, using pharmaceutical therapeutics, clinical interventions, and patient education.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills when interacting with patients, families, and other members of the healthcare team.
- Demonstrate sensitivity to the patient’s race, culture, age, socioeconomic background, sexual orientation, gender, and physical and intellectual abilities.
- Self-evaluate behaviors and medical knowledge to recognize personal limitations.
- Document adequate patient information regarding care provided, for medical, legal, quality assurance and financial purposes.
- Analyze and utilize medical literature.
- Exhibit professionalism, respect, compassion, and integrity, with accountability to patients, society, and the profession.
PANCE Exam Pass Rate
View the NCCPA PANCE Exam Performance Summary Report Last 5 Years (pdf)