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Edward Williams at the lectern addresses the audience at the Valediction Ceremony for the Physician Assistant Studies' Class of 2025. Image by Evan Lewis

UAMS Physician Assistant Studies Program Celebrates Class of 2025

Aug. 27, 2025 | The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Physician Assistant (PA) program celebrated its Class of 2025 at an Aug. 22 valediction ceremony.

Edward Williams, DMSc, PA-C, chair of the Department of Physician Assistant Studies in the UAMS College of Health Professions and the program’s director, highlighted the 11^th graduating class’s 28-month journey.

They completed 58 exams, six Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and more than 2,300 hours of patient care on clinical rotations. In addition to academic requirements, they performed volunteer work, participated in interprofessional education at the 12^th Street Health and Wellness Center and completed a capstone project.

“They met all those challenges with professionalism, motivation and flexibility,” Williams said. He noted that the graduates now face one final hurdle, the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which most will take before the end of the year.

The college’s Dean Susan Long, Ed.D., spoke about the PA profession’s growth in Arkansas since the program’s inception in 2013. At that time, there were only about 200 PAs in the state.

“Today, the State Medical Board’s website indicated that there are 899 actively licensed PAs in Arkansas,” said Long, noting a 350% increase since 2013. “This is up 84 PAs from the 815 that were recorded last year, so we’re increasing. This growth is fantastic and has helped make a significant impact in access to health care for Arkansans.”

She also noted recent legislative changes that have helped expand the role of PAs in Arkansas. These changes include PAs being recognized as rendering providers in Medicaid, which no longer requires their services to be billed through a collaborative physician. PAs can also now fully serve as primary care providers through Medicaid, and Arkansas has joined the National PA Licensure Compact, which allows PAs to practice in any of the 19 member states without needing a separate license.

Kane Malnar, president of the Class of 2025, spoke on behalf of the students. He shared a moving reflection on the class’s transformation from students to compassionate providers. He described the common feeling of being overwhelmed in the first days of classes, comparing it to “drinking water from a fire hose,” but he also noted that something changed over time.

“We weren’t just memorizing facts and formulas to be able to pass an exam, we were becoming providers,” Malnar said. He spoke about the bond the class formed by supporting each other through difficult times.

“When I look at this group of people today, I don’t just see graduates,” said Malnar. “I see colleagues, I see PAs, I see friends, I see truly empathetic healers who will change the world one patient, one family, one community at a time. I see a group of caring, kind and hardworking people who’ve been given a gift to change lives, to ease suffering and to carry hope where there is fear. This gift is both our responsibility and our privilege.”

Billy Thomas, M.D., the keynote speaker and a longtime advocate for the UAMS PA program as well as its medical director, emphasized the importance of compassion and humanism in health care.

“One thing I’ve learned over the years is that it’s good to have great academic metrics, but if you’re really not a compassionate, humanistic person at heart, then it’s hard to deliver good health care,” Thomas said. “Because you have to talk to people, and you have to understand what’s going on with them.”

He highlighted the ongoing need for primary care providers, especially in underserved areas of Arkansas, and urged the new graduates to consider practicing in the state. His parting advice to the graduates was to remember their ‘why’ for becoming a PA and to take care of their own well-being.

“Good human beings make good health care providers, make good PA people,” he concluded. “That’s at the heart of what I would say.”

Next, each student took the stage and put on their new, long white coats, student and faculty awards were announced.

• Academic Excellence Award: Presented to students with the highest cumulative GPA. This year’s recipients were Muhannad Abdin and Allison Taylor, both of whom graduated with a 4.0 GPA.
• Humanitarian Spirit Award: Recognizes a student who demonstrates generosity through service to the PA program, profession, and community. The recipient was Brylie Ritchie for her dedication to underserved communities and advocacy for inclusion.
• Broad Spectrum Award: Given to the best all-around student who exemplifies academic excellence, leadership, professionalism and perseverance. The award went to Sydney Casavechia.
• Faculty Gold Key Award: The highest honor bestowed by the department, recognizing the most outstanding PA student over the course of the program. The recipient was Kane Malnar.
• Didactic Instructor of the Year: Awarded to a guest lecturer who teaches with passion and enthusiasm. The award went to Dia Watson.
• Clinical Instructor of the Year: Given to an excellent preceptor who serves as a role model. The recipient was Arpana Edala, M.D.
• Faculty Instructor of the Year: Honors a UAMS PA program faculty member who is passionate about teaching and goes above and beyond their role. The award went to Audra Wilson, DMS, PA-C, assistant professor and director of didactic education.