MEDEX Physician Assistant Program

PROGRAM HISTORY/DEVELOPMENT

As a partnership between the University of Nevada School of Medicine and the University of Washington, MEDEX Northwest trains physician assistants for service to Nevada’s medically underserved populations. Established in 1991, Nevada has recruited and sent students for their didactic training in the state of Washington, then coordinated the clinical training in sites throughout Nevada.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Nevada recruits eligible candidates for application to the MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Training program where they have the option of competing in an exclusive Nevada pool. At least three training slots are set aside by the MEDEX program for Nevada candidates. During the first 4 years of the program, all graduates were obligated to serve a minimum of two years in a medically underserved community. The program now partners with Nevada WICHE (Western Interstate Commission on Higher Education) to match loan repayment and provide tuition funds to assist selected students and return them for service to Nevada.

HISTORICAL MILESTONES

1991 Program established with MEDEX Northwest

PROGRAM STATISTICS AND OUTCOME MEASURES

• Over 50 PA-Cs (Certified Physician Assistants) have been trained under this partnership
• Many practitioners have committed to serve a minimum of two years in medically underserved communities serving vulnerable populations
• This program introduced PA-Cs into the Nevada healthcare workforce, stablishing this profession as a vital piece of the fabric of healthcare in the state.

Each Spring, live recruitment sessions are held in Las Vegas, Reno and to various rural sites utilizing the Interactive video system to disseminate information about the MEDEX program including application requirements and the selection and interview process.  To be added to the mailing list for these recruitment sessions please send request for inclusion with full name and current contact information to Cory Martin, Education Coordinator at cmartin@medicine.nevada.edu.

Information about the program prerequisites, admission requirements, the application process and direct links to the CASPA application can be accessed from the MEDEX website.

MEDEX website: http://www.washington.edu/medicine/som/depts/medex/  

CASPA website:  http://www.caspaonline.org