
Science and art of preventing disease,
prolonging life and promoting health and
efficiency through organized community
effort. (Winslow, 1920)

Fulfilling society’s interest in assuring
conditions in which people can be
healthy. (Institute of Medicine, 1988)

To promote health and quality of life by
preventing and controlling disease, injury,
and disability. (CDC Mission Statement)

Health is a state of complete physical,
mental and social well-being and not
merely the absence of disease or
infirmity. (WHO Definition of Health)











Immunizations
Motor Vehicle Safety
Workplace Safety
Control of Infectious Diseases
Declines in Heart Disease and Stroke
Safer and Healthier Foods
Healthier Mothers and Babies
Family Planning
Fluoridation of Drinking Water
Tobacco as a Health Hazard
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvmX
Ssl4nqU

Biostatistics and Informatics
› Medical and Health Services Manager

Community Health
› Health Care Administrator
› Health Educator
› Community Health Worker

Epidemiologist
› Field Investigator
› Research Analyst

Environmental Health
› Quality Investigator
› Environmental Scientist/Engineer

Global Health
› Refugee Coordinator
› HIV/AIDs Educator
› Project Manager

http://www.publichealthonline.org/careers/
Category
Prerequisite
Education
Nurse
(RN, BSN)
None
Nurse
Practitioner
Physician
Assistant
Bachelor
Bachelor
Degree in
Degree
Nursing
& clinical hours
& clinical hours
for most
Physician
(Family
Practice)
Bachelor
Degree
Learning Model Medical-NursingMedical-Nursing
MedicalPhysician
MedicalPhysician
Time in
Classroom
Varies greatly
by program.
500 hrs
1000 hrs
2 years
Time in Clinic
Varies greatly
by program.
500-700 hrs
2000 hrs
2 years
Total Post
High School
Education
2-4 years
5-9 years
5-7 years
8 years
Category
Residency
Nurse
(RN, BSN)
Nurse Practitioner
Physician
Assistant
Physician
(Family Practice)
None
Optional
1-2 years
depends on
specialty
Optional
1-2 years
depends on
specialty
3-8 years
Physician
Master's Degree Assistant Certified
Doctor of
(PA-C)
Medicine (M.D.)
Degree or Associate or
Planned
Bachelor
Certificatio
Most also award
Transition to
n Awarded
Degree
Doctor of
Doctorate by Master's Degree. Osteopathy (D.O.)
2015
Some now
pursuing PHD
MD: 50 hrs of
CME/year & ABMS
1000 hours
1000 professional
certification
practicing in
100 CME hours
practice hours
recommended
every 2 years
area of
AND
~15
CME
Recertificati
certification sp
credits/year
on
DO: 120 CME
ecialty OR
Exam every 10
hours every 3
years
exam every 5 OR exam every 5
years & ABMS
years
years
certification
recommended.
Prepare early
 Get Involved in extracurricular Activities
 Choose your undergrad classes wisely
 Work in the summer

› Projects
› Medical Missions

Find mentors
› Start a LinkedIn account
› https://www.aapa.org/twocolumn.aspx?id=2826



Gen bio with lab*
Gen Chem with lab*
Human anatomy with lab *
› (comparative anatomy)



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


Minimal GPA 3.0
Human physiology with lab*
Organic Chem or Biochemistry
Microbiology*
Medical Terminology*
Abnormal Psychology
Mathematics (statistics?)*
Genetics/molecular bio/virology/immunology
etc
Minimal 500 hours (1000-4000 hours)
 Average 2000 hours
 Type of Jobs

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
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
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




Athletic Trainer
Cardiovascular
Perfusionist
Medical Corpsman
Dental Hygienist
Dietician
Caregiver
ED Technician
ED Scribe
EMT/Paramedic
Exercise Physiologist
(cardiac rehab)
Foreign Medical










Graduate – Physician
Home Health Care Aide 
Phlebotomist

Medical Assistant

Medical Health
Tech/MH/MR

Medical Research with 
Patient Contact

Midwife

Nurse

Nursing Assistant

Nutritionist
Orderly-Patient

Transport
Orthopedics Technician
Physical Therapist
Physical Therapist
Assistant/Aide
Radiologic Technologist
X-Ray Technician
Ultrasound Technician
By-Pass Technician
Respiratory Therapist
Surgical Technician/OR
Technician
Veterinary Technician
Nonclinical volunteer hours
 PA Shadowing Experience
 GRE
 Applications: CASPA vs non CASPA

› http://directory.paeaonline.org/

Essay
› http://www.thepalife.com/mistakes/

Interviews
› http://www.thepalife.com/the-top-46-physician-
assistant-applicant-interview-questions/
› http://www.paschoolinterviewguide.com/
Take a refresh course on anatomy (Netter’s
Anatomy)
 Find your study habits
 Read/Study as much as you can
› UpToDate, Medscape
› Board Review books:

 First Aid series, StepUp to Medicine, STEP 2 Secrets,
Davis’s PA Exam Review, Swanson’s Family Medicine
Review







Give yourself breaks
Get plenty of sleep
Pharmacology: Make flashcards and tables
Physical Exams: practice on your friends
Change your security status on Facebook
http://www2.paeaonline.org/index.php?ht=action/GetDocumentAction/i/127990
http://www.mhprofessional.com/content/media/0071801944_chapter%204.pdf

Complete a total of more than 2,000
hours of clinical rotations in:
› Family medicine
› Internal medicine
› Obstetrics and gynecology
› Pediatrics
› Surgery
› Emergency medicine
› Psychiatry

National Health Service Corp
Primary care medical, dental and mental/behavioral health
clinicians can get up to $50,000 to repay their health
profession student loans in exchange for a two-year
commitment
 https://nhsc.hrsa.gov/loanrepayment/

Indian Health Service
 National Guard
 Navy Clinical Health Provider
 Army Health Professional Scholarship
 Air Force Health Professional Scholarship
 AmeriCorp


http://doseofpa.blogspot.com/2014/03/physician-assistant-schoolscholarships.html
 Become
NCCPA certified
› PANCE
 Board review books
 http://www.physicianassistantexamreview.com/
 http://www.nccpa.net/examscontentblueprint
 Obtain
a state license
 Maintain your certification
› CME 100hrs/2 yrs
› Recertification every 10 years: PANRE











Acute care surgery
Cardiovascular surgery
Dermatology
Emergency medicine
Multispecialty surgery
Neurosurgery
Pediatric or Neonatology
OB/GYN
Orthopedic surgery
Oncology
http://appap.org/post-graduate-paprograms/programs/
 Work
schedules
› 50 hours work week
› Variable shifts
 “Know
your patient, know your
medicine, know your staff, and take
ownership.”
 National and State Organizations
› https://www.aapa.org