University of St. Francis graduates Physician Assistants
The University of St. Francis graduated 32 students from its master of science in Physician Assistant Studies program, offered in Albuquerque, N.M.
This is the program’s second graduating class. Physician assistants are licensed health professionals who practice medicine as members of a team with supervising physicians. Physician assistants deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse populations in rural and urban settings. The University of St. Francis Physician Assistant Class of 2003 boasts a 100% pass rate for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE). All 2003 graduates are employed, with many practicing in the underserved areas of the Southwest.
Commencement ceremonies were April 26. Students received their diplomas from Dr. Connie Bauer, vice president for Academic Affairs at the University of St. Francis. Professional certificates were presented by Ken Harbert, Ph.D., CHES, PA-C, assistant dean and program director.
Commencement speaker was Paul Kotin, M.D. FCAP, FACOEM, who, while retired from practice, is an advocate for the physician assistant profession. Kotin served as provost for Health Sciences, Temple University, Health Science Center, Philadelphia, Pa., as well as dean for the School of Medicine for Temple University. He was also the director of National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
Class orator was Beth Garrison of Albuquerque, N.M.
The following special awards were given:
- Outstanding
Physician Assistant Student Award was presented
to Sherry Minoletti of Albuquerque, N.M.
- Outstanding
Clinical Student Award was presented to Jose
Calderon of El Paso, Texas.
- Outstanding
Community Service Award was presented to Tina
Derr of Los Alamos, N.M.
- Outstanding Preceptor of the Year Award was presented to George Williams, M.D., D.O., R.Ph. of Blue Sky Primary Care in Deming, N.M.
The following students were also inducted into Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities: Christine Dessauer, Beth Garrison, Margaret Hoemeke, Yvonne Riba, Jessica Singer and Jenny Walter.
The following students earned master of science degrees in Physician Assistant Studies:
Arizona
Anthem – Felicia Tanner
California
Atascadero – Jennifer Holohan
Colorado
Boulder – Tatiana Carlin
Lakewood – Gregory Holley
Louisiana
New Orleans – Christine Dessauer
Montana
Bozeman – David Jenkins
Troy – Tony Fantozzi
New
Mexico
Albuquerque – Timothy Cook, Charmianne Cronk,
Kimberly Diaz, Lindsay Field,
Emily Fung, Beth Garrison, Elisa Garza, Carrie
Irvin, ChrisTina Langeraap,
Clare McCollough, Gabriel Merrill, Sherry Minoletti,
Thuc Doan Nguyen, Catherine Nisius, Fay Pepin,
Yvonne Riba and Jenny Walter
Belen – Jennifer Tafoya
Hobbs – Shelly Boyle
Las Cruces – Melanie Gantner
Los Alamos – Tina Derr and Patricia McCulloch
Rio Rancho – Jessica Singer
Texas
Austin – Margaret Hoemeke
El Paso – Jose Calderon