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

  1. Graduate Physician Assistants in Primary Care at Rates Above the National Average
    Objective: Prepare graduates for careers in primary care, including family medicine,
    general internal medicine, and general pediatrics.
    Benchmark: ≥35% of graduates enter primary care, exceeding the national average of 21%.
    Outcome: Over the past five years, 51% of UPAP graduates have entered primary
    care—exceeding both the internal benchmark and national average.
  2. Exceed the National Average for Graduates Working in Underserved Areas
    Objective: Promote service in rural and medically underserved communities.
    Benchmark: ≥40% of graduates practice in federally designated underserved settings
    (e.g., HPSAs, MUAs, rural areas), exceeding the national average of 23.7%.
    Outcome: Over the past five years, an average of 46% of graduates have worked in underserved areas.
  3. Maintain a First-Time PANCE Pass Rate Above 90%
    Objective: Ensure strong academic preparation for national certification.
    Benchmark: ≥90% first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE).
    Outcome: The five-year average first-time pass rate is 88%. However, the most recent
    three classes (C51–C53) averaged 90%. The program is strengthening early
    intervention and remediation to achieve and sustain this benchmark.
  4. Maintain a 100% Ultimate PANCE Pass Rate
    Objective: Support all graduates in ultimately passing the PANCE.
    Benchmark: 100% of graduates pass within six years (as per NCCPA standards).
    Outcome: The program has maintained a 98% ultimate pass rate over five years and
    continues to support students through post-graduation resources.      
  5. Reflect Salt Lake City Demographics in Student Enrollment
    Objective: Enroll a student body that reflects the racial and ethnic diversity of Salt Lake City. 
    Benchmark: Match or exceed the city's demographic estimates based on U.S. Census data. 
    Outcome: URIM (Underrepresented in Medicine) enrollment across cohorts has ranged from 25% to 50%, exceeding the benchmarks in Salt Lake City benchmarks.                                                 
  6. Ensure More Than 50% of Clinical Rotations for St. George Students Occur in Southern Utah
    Objective: Provide St. George campus students with meaningful rural and regional
    clinical training experiences.
    Benchmark: >50% of clinical rotations for St. George students occur in Southern Utah counties.
    Outcome: Currently, students average 27% of rotations in Southern Utah. The program
    is working to expand regional partnerships and increase placement opportunities.

 

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.