Physician Assistant Studies Program Faculty and Student Service Hours
All Physician Assistant Students must earn 20 hours of service while in the program.
Three second-year students from the Mercyhurst Department of Physician Assistant Studies competed in the Student Challenge Bowl at the annual Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates conference held in Erie, PA on Oct. 23-Oct. 26, 2024. The Student Challenge Bowl involves PA students from across the state competing in a battle of medical knowledge. The Mercyhurst team consisted of Ms. Alexis Gray, Ms. Irma Cosic, and Ms. Meghan Reese. The Mercyhurst team won third place in the competition! The first-year PA students were at the Challenge Bowl dressed in pink for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. They enthusiastically supported their classmates and earned the Spirit Award! We are very proud of our students’ knowledge and school spirit!
Members of the Mercyhurst Physician Assistant Student Society (MPASS), advised by faculty member Robin Newhook, collected goods this fall to benefit the Mercy Center for Women located in Erie. The Mercy Center for Women aims to keep the most vulnerable members of the Erie community safe. They provide safe and supportive transitional and permanent housing, education, and support services for women, men, and children experiencing homelessness. They have connections with social service agencies and volunteers to form a network of ongoing support, mentoring, and education for residents. This year, they are celebrating 30 years of combating homelessness.
The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Associates (PSPA) challenged student members to the fundraising drive in conjunction with its annual convention, held in Erie on Oct. 23-Oct. 26, 2024. The PA students raised over 3,000 items that will be utilized by the Mercy Center for Women. We are proud to support this amazing organization’s efforts to combat homelessness.
Members of the Mercyhurst Physician Assistant Student Society (MPASS), advised by faculty member Robin Newhook, collected goods this fall to benefit the Caring Cupboard, which is a food bank in the Hershey area. Last year, they provided a full holiday meal for 220 families and a week’s worth of breakfasts and lunches for 200+ children for the week of vacation from school. This year, the Caring Cupboard anticipates serving even greater numbers.
The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) challenged student members to the fundraising drive in conjunction with its annual convention, held in Hershey on Nov. 29-Dec. 2, 2023. The PA students raised several carloads of food that will be utilized for their holiday distribution. We are proud to support people in this amazing organization’s efforts to combat food insecurities.
The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) held its annual conference Nov. 2-5, 2022, at the Omni William Penn in Pittsburgh, PA. Each year, they pick a host city charity and challenge PA students to raise money and/or collect goods to support them. This year, the charity chosen was the Persad Center. “The Persad Center is a licensed mental health center that serves the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS communities in Western Pennsylvania. Their services include counseling, substance abuse treatment, HIV/AIDS treatment and support, and programs for LGBTQ+ seniors. They run a food pantry, in addition to providing individuals with financial assistance, bus tickets, clothing, and hygiene products. The Persad Center also works in outreach and advocacy aimed to resolve problems faced by the LGBTQ+ and HIV/AIDS communities."
Members of the Mercyhurst Physician Assistant Student Society (MPASS), advised by faculty member Amanda Oliver, put forth an awesome effort again this year! These students really outdid themselves! They collected and purchased over 350 canned goods, 166 packs of Ramen Noodles, 54 boxes of mac and cheese, 25 lbs. of rice, over 32 lbs. of pasta, 113 cereal bars, 33 bars of soap, 42 bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, numerous cleaning products, personal hygiene products, hats, gloves, socks, and other items needed. We are extremely proud of all our students, their families, and the community!
In addition to the excellent fundraising efforts, our Challenge Bowl team placed fourth overall! The clinical students who represented the Mercyhurst PA program were Shane Grayson, Andrew Larson, Abby Waldron, and Hannah Tanis. Way to go team!
The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) held their annual conference at Kalahari Resort in the Poconos. This year the charity chosen to fundraise for was The Kindness Project, which is an all-volunteer, donation-based, nonprofit-organization created to provide support to foster families in the Lehigh Valley and surrounding areas, free of charge.
Members of the Mercyhurst Physician Assistant Student Society (MPASS), advised by faculty member Amanda Oliver, collected and purchased over 1,500 baby wipes, 400 diapers, 120 pairs of socks, 60 pairs of gloves, 180 toothbrushes and 100 clothing items! They were also able to donate crib sheets, bed sheets, toys, puzzles, activity books, flashcards, numerous backpacks, personal hygiene products, bibs, winter coats, and books.
Members of the Mercyhurst Physician Assistant Student Society (MPASS), advised by faculty member Amanda Oliver, raised money and collected goods this fall to benefit Grady’s Decision. The Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA) challenged student members to the fundraising drive in conjunction with its annual convention, held virtually in Erie, October 21 – 24, 2020. The Mercyhurst PA students raised over $1,000 and collected numerous restaurant gift cards and gas cards. Students also brought in donations for items needed by Grady’s Decision including more than 1,000 diapers, 87 packs of wipes, 52 pacifiers, 28 blankets, 59 bibs, 21 hats and more than 70 onsies. Grady’s Decision helps countless families and premature babies navigate the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) life.
