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The 2024 Graduates of the Marietta College Physician Assistant Studies program says the experience was transformative.
Anna Slayden of Martinsburg, W.Va., reflected on how far she has come since the Marietta College Physician Assistant Studies graduate program first came across her radar.
"When I came to the interview, it felt like home, and I knew it was the right choice for me," she said. "Now, when I look back, the past two years have flown by. It didn't feel like it at times, studying and learning so much and really working hard, but it feels like yesterday."
Slayden was among the 34 students who graduated with a master's in Physician Assistant Studies on July 20 during ceremonies in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. Since its creation in 2002, Marietta College has graduated 635 students in the program, which consists of a 26-month curriculum and is accredited through the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant.
Program Director Christi Gierhart led the commencement, which began with a formal procession, followed by the singing of the national anthem by Gage Turner, a 2024 program graduate from Mingo Junction, Ohio.
Gierhart recognized award winners and the 2024 graduates who are the newest members of the Pi Alpha Honor Society: Emma Arnold, Midlothian, Texas, Breanna Cecil, Beckley, W.Va., Lindsey Clark, Louisville, Ky., Jaana Motton, Groveport, Ohio, and Alexander Navolanic, Parma, Ohio).
Barry Brownstein, class of 2006, was recognized as Alumnus of the Year, and Dr. John Grosel, McCoy Professor and Medical Director for the Program, was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award.
"The faculty here are unlike any others you'll find," said Slayden, who has decided to stay in the area and hopes to work in primary care. "They go above and beyond to make their students feel welcomed and have the resources that they need. I don't think I would have had the same family environment if I chose to go anywhere else."
Adam Jones, class of 2024, Canton, Michi., echoed Slayden about Marietta's sense of community.
"To be honest, Marietta wasn't my first choice, but it was my best choice that I've made in a very long time," Jones said. "I would say the family culture atmosphere is why I would choose Marietta. I interviewed at a few other places, and while they were all good, they didn't give me the family, camaraderie, compassion atmosphere that Marietta did – just in the interview alone. My two years of being here confirmed that. I would recommend it. If anyone is debating between two schools, this would be my choice again."
Jones will start his new position in acute care surgery and trauma surgery at Marietta Memorial in late August.
Now that they have graduated from Marietta's ARC-PA accredited program, each graduate is eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination that is required for licensure. Currently, Marietta College boasts a 100% pass rate on the national certification exam and a 99.1% graduation rate since the program began in 2002.
The 2023 graduates reported a 100% employment rate within six months of graduation and an average starting salary of $98,000.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates employment growth of 27% in this healthcare field between 2022 and 2032. In addition to pre-law and pre-med tracks, Marietta College also offers a pre-PA track for undergraduates looking to enter PA school after graduation.