June 21, 2023
Didactic Phase Update
Lachan Siebenmorgen, UAMS PA Program of Didactic Director
Class of 2024
During the six-week summer module, these students continued to excel in their didactic coursework. One of the courses in this module is a new offering for the program, Introduction to Lifestyle Medicine, which replaces the Clinical Nutrition course. The faculty worked diligently to prepare the curriculum for this course and are excited to share this relatively new field of medicine with the students.
Students participated in many invaluable lab and practical learning experiences. These activities included splinting, intubation, lumbar puncture, male and female genitourinary exams, gowning and scrubbing, and an Advanced Cardiac Life Support MegaCode event which had not taken place since before the pandemic. The students became ACLS certified and completed their first History and Physical OSCE.
The class also participated in interprofessional education by collaborating with UAMS students at the 12th Street Health and Wellness Center, and students from Pulaski Tech, during their gowning and scrubbing lab. In the Spring semester, the students focused on their community by hosting a book drive to provide children’s books to the ARChild Child Development Center, where they complete service-learning hours by reading with children. Through donations, the class of 2024 was able to donate 178 books for the children to enjoy.
Audra Wilson
The Class of 2024 received their clinical rotation placements, have begun their first clinical rotation, and are excited looking ahead.
Class of 2025
Additionally, the program prepared for the class of 2025 who matriculated in May. The incoming 40 students came to try on their white coats, connected with their “buddies” in the class above them and began studying for their medical terminology exam that they took before classes begin. They now are well underway with their Summer Semester courses. It is hard to believe that in just a year, these incoming students will be ready to head off to clinical rotations themselves, filled with knowledge, skills, nerves, and excitement, well on their way to becoming great PAs!
