Measure/Benchmark: Program completion rate > 90%

Outcome: 

Measure/Benchmark: PANCE first-time pass rate > 90%

Outcome: The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants (NCCPA), is the United States’ only certifying organization for PAs.  The Physician Assistant-Certified (PA-C) credential, issued by the NCCPA, is a mark of professional accomplishment, indicating the achievement and maintenance of established levels of knowledge and clinical skills.  In order to become certified (PA-C), PA graduates must pass the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) administered by the NCCPA.  PA programs are required to post the NCCPA PANCE Pass Rate Summary Report, as provided by the NCCPA, of the most recent five-year first-time graduate performance. 

Five-Year First-Time Taker Summary Report

Exam Performance Summary Report

Measure/Benchmark: Mean of > 4.5 on clinical preceptor evaluations of student performance in surgical SCPEs

Outcome: A Likert scale is utilized to evaluate student performance during supervised clinical practice experiences (SCPEs). A score of “5” means “Strongly Agree,” and a score of "1” means “Strongly Disagree”. The Program’s goal is to achieve a mean of > 4.5 on clinical preceptor evaluations of student performance in surgical SCPEs.

Below are the outcomes for the PA 2022, PA 2023, PA 2024, and PA 2025 Cohort.

Surgery

Preceptor comments from core and/or selective surgery rotations:

Student names redacted and replaced with “student”

“I can tell she is prepared for the real world. She was poised and active in her participation in the OR and with patients.”

“She asked excellent questions and was showed a wealth of knowledge when quizzed about assessments and plans. Good surgical skills. She will do well in the future.” 

“She was attentive in the clinic and performed well in the operating room. She was able to master the robotic platform well. She did excellent suturing.”

“Student was professional and well-prepared for discussions on neurosurgical topics. She also did an excellent job on surgical closure with good technique and cosmesis for our patients. I think she would be an excellent proceduralist if she so chooses.”

“Student did amazing. We would highly encourage her to apply for a job with us!”

Orthopedic

Preceptor comments from core orthopedics rotation:

Student names redacted and replaced with “student”

“Student did a great job on this rotation. She is a great student, and she will make an excellent PA in orthopaedics or in any specialty she chooses.”

“Student is one of the best students I have had. Due to a cast tech/first assist being out of work, she really had to step up and did an awesome job. She will be a great PA in clinical practice wherever she ends up working.”

“Very knowledgeable. Highly recommend for any position.”

“Student is a great student and did a great job on this rotation. She is great with patients and is certainly a step above other students in the OR. She would make a great PA in a surgical sub- specialty.”

Measure/Benchmark: Mean of > 4 on student, faculty, and staff survey items related to student success and cultural affairs.

Outcome: The Program seeks to foster community, support, and mutual respect for all students, faculty, and staff. All students, faculty, and staff complete an annual survey to evaluate the Program’s progress in reaching this goal. The quantitative portion of the survey utilizes a Likert scale where a score of “5” means “Strongly Agree” and a score of "1” means “Strongly Disagree.” The Program achieved a mean of > 4.0 on student, faculty, and staff survey responses. Below are the current faculty and staff outcomes and the PA 2023, PA 2024, PA 2025, and PA 2026 cohort.

Students

Faculty and Staff

While the Program meets the quantitative goal for these surveys, the qualitative responses continue to identify opportunities to provide additional resources and support.