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Joseph Frescura, left, waits to step onto the stage and watches as Edward Williams and Hillary Mayberry help Taryn Frazier put on her long, white coat as part of the Valediction Ceremony for the Physician Assistant Program's Class of 2022. Image by Ben Boulden

UAMS Physician Assistant Class of 2022 Overcomes Pandemic Challenges to Graduate

Sept. 9, 2022 | What the members of the UAMS Physician Assistant Class of 2022 went through to get to their Aug. 26 Valediction Ceremony marking the completion of their studies was and probably will remain singular in the program’s history.

“The Class of 2022 came with some unique circumstances. They were the first class that started virtually,” said Edward Williams, DMSc, PA-C, chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the College of Health Professions and director of the Physician Assistant (PA) program.

Because of the disruptions in schedule and planning caused by COVID-19 pandemic, Williams said the department’s faculty and administration eventually realized the students were not going to be on campus for in-person classes in 2020.

“This program and other PA programs across the nation were not designed for that. We worked with what we had, and they did a fine job,” Williams said. “Not only did they do well, but they also have exceeded expectations in a lot of the standards we test them for, when compared to other classes. They impressed us with what they did.”

Since much of the instruction, even some of the hands-on training, had to be virtual, students and their professors had to adapt. Learning physical assessment took some creativity, and Williams recounted how spouses, and in one case a stuffed Sesame Street toy, sometimes stood in for patients.

The shared experience of overcoming those difficulties strengthened the bonds of friendship and collaboration among students in the graduating class, Williams said.

College of Health Professions Dean Susan Long, Ed.D., congratulated and complimented the students on their achievements.

She said physician assistants are tremendous assets to the health care system, recognized for being highly educated and “extremely flexible.” About 50% of physician assistants will change specialties in the course of their careers, filling what would otherwise be gaps in patient care.

Referring to the pandemic and the start of their professional careers, Jason McBride, PA-S and president of the class, said, “We still have a lot to learn, and we will not become seasoned PA’s right off the bat, but we made it through THIS. I know we can make it through that.”

The Valediction Ceremony’s keynote speaker, Christopher Davis, MSPAS, PA-C, advised the students to keep in mind four things during the course of their careers. Davis urged them to be of good character, show compassion to others and stay curious.

“Leaders are learners,” Davis said. “You will be constantly learning and constantly trying to improve and stay fresh in medicine and your approach to it.”

Lastly, they should “be committed to something great.”

Davis said his oldest daughter, Ella, advocated for the family to take in foster children. After training in the foster program, the Davis family took in a seven-month-old baby named Lulu Beth.

“The scariest sound we ever heard from her was silence,” he said. “I’ve never heard a seven-month old who never made any sound whatsoever. She wasn’t making sound anymore because it wasn’t getting her any attention.”

For three months and two days, Ella kept playing with Lulu Beth, trying to get her to smile. The baby didn’t display any emotion until finally, she giggled for the first time.

“She later became our daughter,” Davis said. “I want you to commit something greater than you. Commit to life and the beyond, to making great breakthroughs and experiencing your highest potential and the maximum of your license.”

Several students and faculty members were also honored during the ceremony. Melissa Halverson, Pharm.D., M.P.H., an associate professor in the department, presented student awards to four graduates.

• Academic Excellence – Natalya Zeagler
• Humanitarian Spirit –A’Vonte Jones
• Broad Spectrum – Thi Cao
• Faculty Gold Key – Emily Bogert

Then it was the students’ turn to recognize their educators.

• Didactic Instructor of the Year – Christopher Davis
• Clinical Instructor of the Year – Tommy Love, M.D.
• Faculty Instructor of the Year – Lachan Siebenmorgen, MPAS, PA-C

For the 37 students in the Class of 2022, it was the final gathering of their graduate education, which began with them receiving a short white coat two years ago at the beginning of their studies and a long white coat during the valediction.