Advocacy, Success and Impact Statement
The University of Utah Physician Assistant Program (UPAP) is abidingly committed to the core values of comprehensive academic and professional success, the variegation of all students, staff and faculty and the creation of welcoming and affirming spaces for students, staff and faculty from all backgrounds.
UPAP fundamentally and unequivocally values all characteristics and backgrounds that make students, staff and faculty unique, this includes ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity, economic, educational, sexual orientation, religion, politics, age, body and ability. Furthermore, UPAP relies on these collective perspectives, life experiences and backgrounds of its students, staff and faculty to improve education, learning and professional experience for all that constitutes the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program. Furthermore, the embracing, creating and sustaining of requisite fairness, unity and engagement are needed to realize our mission and vision of comprehensive academic excellence and to improve the collective health and lives of all individuals and communities and create the needed movement of positive societal transformation.
Key Justice and Belonging Highlights:
- A faculty member who is the Director Student Affinity and Community Engagement
- Committee that oversees all aspects of the program that involve fairness, engagement and student success for all students.
- Student Affinity Student Organization (PASSED=Physician Assistant Students Supporting Engagement and Difference)
- A robust Community Engagement and Cultural Humility/Responsiveness curriculum which includes longitudinal class lectures and outreach activities with many of our region’s most marginalized and vulnerable communities
- Master’s degree projects that are in collaboration with our many community partners
- Student success, persistence and retention program that supports all students and integrates resources and methods that address social determinants of education that may affect students regardless of their background.
- Holistic Admissions Review
- Student Centric Program Model
- Holistic Advising, 1 faculty advisor to 8 students