A Partnership in Education
The
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, in partnership with the
Gundersen Lutheran Medical Foundation of La Crosse and the Mayo
School of Health Science of Rochester, Minnesota, established
this physician assistant educational program in 1995. The
program's initial Bachelor of Science program enrolled eight
classes that have completed courses at the University of
Wisconsin-La Crosse, at Gundersen Lutheran in La Crosse, and at
the Mayo School of Health Sciences, Rochester, Minnesota. Most
graduates are now employed in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa.
In June of 2004 the program enrolled its first class in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies program. Students take classes on the campuses of all three partner institutions. Program instructors include renowned clinicians and scientists, along with dedicated UW-L PA program faculty.
Clinical rotation sites include primarily Gundersen Lutheran, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Health System practices in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. Together the partnership holds program accreditation from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).
The Physician Assistant Program Mission and Vision
Statements
Mission Statement:
The mission of our program is to educate highly competent and compassionate physician assistants who excel in meeting the healthcare needs of the regions served by the partner institutions.
Vision Statement:
We will continue to be a nationally recognized program by:
- Selecting students with the academic background, interpersonal skills and maturity necessary to be outstanding physician assistants
- Educating students who will excel in improving the health and wellness of patients through the supervised practice of medicine
- Developing students who are grounded in professional ethics, cultural sensitivity, and the use of evidence based medicine.