Mission & Goals

Mission

To improve the quality of health and access to care, with a commitment to the medically underserved and marginalized communities, by educating students from all backgrounds to become highly proficient, socially impactful, and accountable physician assistants (PAs) in the primary care model.

Vision

The University of Utah Physician Assistant Program will steadfastly be a leader in PA education by providing innovative and requisite academic and clinical environments to inspire graduates to fulfill our mission, while also contributing to the growth and advancement of the profession.

To achieve our vision, the University of Utah Physician Assistant Program will:

  • Sustain, embrace and foster a welcoming and substantiating culture for all students, staff and faculty that integrates social accountability and fairness throughout our program and continued development
  • The recruitment and retention of students, staff, and faculty from all backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences
  • Promote primary care as a means to improve the health of all individuals and communities
  • Create life-long, self-directed learners

Objectives

  • Recruit and educate, socially accountable, and community engaged PA students from all backgrounds, perspectives and life experiences
  • Develop skilled PAs who will create requisite health and healthcare in the communities where they serve
  • Prepare graduates to deliver care that addresses social determinants of health to narrow the health disparities gap through culturally sensitive, culturally-responsive, socially responsible and accountable care
  • Prepare graduates to deliver patient-centered, evidence-based care as members of the interprofessional team
  • Promote and cultivate the PA profession through leadership, scholarship, and service

Values

  • Teaching Excellence
  • Respect
  • Collaboration
  • Integrity
  • Access, Affinity, Difference
  • Professionalism
  • Innovation
  • Leadership
  • Social Impact

Program Goals

  • Graduate Physician Assistants in Primary Care at Rates Above the National Average
    • Objective: Increase the proportion of UPAP graduates practicing in primary care to exceed the national average of 21%.
    • Benchmark: Maintain a graduate primary care practice rate exceeding 21%.
    • Outcome: Over the past five years, 51% of UPAP graduates have entered primary care fields.
  • Exceed National Average for Graduates Working in Underserved Areas
    • Objective: Increase the percentage of graduates practicing in underserved areas beyond the national average of 23.7%.
    • Benchmark: Achieve a rate above 23.7% for service in HPSAs and MUAs.
    • Outcome: Currently, 28% of UPAP graduates work in underserved settings.
  • Maintain a First-Time PANCE Pass Rate Above 90%
    • Objective: Ensure the PANCE first-time pass rate remains above 90%.
    • Benchmark: Annual monitoring against the 90% target.
    • Outcome: The program has maintained this rate consistently over the past five years.
  • Reflect Salt Lake City Demographics in Student Enrollment
    • Objective: Matriculate a student body reflective of the demographics of Salt Lake City.
    • Benchmark: Match or exceed Salt Lake City’s diversity levels.
    • Outcome: Recent cohorts show URIM enrollment of 26-39% and up to 44% students of color in certain classes.
  • Achieve 50% Rural/Underserved Clinical Rotations for St. George Campus
    • Objective: Ensure that at least 50% of clinical rotations for St. George students occur in rural or underserved settings.
    • Benchmark: Schedule 50% of rotations in rural/underserved areas.
    • Outcome: Currently, 47% of rotations meet this criterion, with ongoing efforts to achieve 50%.

ARC-PA Competencies

  • Patient-Centered Care: Provide care that is compassionate, appropriate, and effective for the treatment of health problems and the promotion of health.
  • Knowledge for Practice: Demonstrate knowledge of established and evolving biomedical and clinical sciences and their application to patient care.
  • Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Communicate effectively with patients, families, and interprofessional team members.
  • Professionalism: Exhibit a commitment to ethical principles, professional behavior, and sensitivity to diverse patient populations.
  • Practice-Based Learning and Improvement: Engage in critical self-assessment and utilize evidence-based resources to improve patient care.
  • Systems-Based Practice: Demonstrate awareness and responsiveness to the larger healthcare system to optimize patient care.
  • Interprofessional Collaboration: Work effectively in interprofessional teams to enhance patient care.
  • Personal and Professional Development: Demonstrate qualities required for self-awareness, adaptability, and responsibility.