Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences—Department of Physician Assistant 439 Physician Assistant Program—Fort Myers About the Program The Physician Assistant Program—Fort Myers offers an innovative program that lasts 27 months. Upon successful completion of study, students will earn a master of medical science (M.M.S.) in physician assistant degree. The curriculum includes rigorous instruction in the basic sciences, clinical medicine, physical diagnosis, clinical laboratory medicine, clinical pathophysiology, clinical procedures and surgical skills, electrocardiography, radiology, clinical behavioral medicine, legal and ethical issues in health care, cultural issues in health care, interpretation and evaluation of medical literature, complementary medicine and nutrition, and clinical pharmacology. During the clinical year of study, the student participates in clinical rotations throughout the state of Florida, primarily within 80–100 miles from NSU’s Fort Myers Campus. These rotations include family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology and prenatal care, emergency medicine, and surgery, all complemented by two elective rotations and a selective rotation in one of the following areas: behavioral health, otorhinolaryngology, orthopedics, rural or underserved primary care medicine, or an internal medicine subspecialty. Accreditation The Accreditation Review Commission on Education for Physician Assistants (ARC-PA) has granted Accreditation— Continued status to the Nova Southeastern University—Fort Myers Physician Assistant Program sponsored by Nova Southeastern University—Fort Myers. Accreditation— Continued is an accreditation status granted when a currently accredited program is in compliance with the ARC-PA Standards. Accreditation remains in effect until the program closes or withdraws from the accreditation process or until accreditation is withdrawn for failure to comply with the Standards. The approximate date for the next validation review of the program by the ARC-PA will be March 2028. The review date is contingent upon continued compliance with the Accreditation Standards and ARC-PA policy. Mission Statement In keeping with the principles of both Nova Southeastern University (NSU) and the Dr. Pallavi Patel College of Health Care Sciences (PCHCS) mission statements, the NSU Physician Assistant (PA) Program—Fort Myers endeavors to • provide an educational experience that emphasizes primary medical care • p rovide health care experiences in medically underserved communities • prepare students for lifelong learning • prepare students for leadership roles • produce PAs who uphold the tenets of professionalism • e nable graduates to demonstrate competency and skill in a variety of clinical and cultural settings Course of Study The Physician Assistant Program curriculum is completed following attainment of a baccalaureate degree, including specified course prerequisites. The comprehensive curriculum, completed in a consecutive manner, is oriented to primary care and prepares the student to practice in a wide variety of clinical settings. The first 15 months of study consist of basic sciences and clinically related didactic courses. All courses are required and must be successfully completed before advancing to the clinical year. During this time frame, students are generally in class from Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., although there are occasional evening and/or weekend hours. Because of its highly integrated and compact curriculum, the PA program requires matriculants to complete the entire curriculum at the NSU Fort Myers Campus and will not grant requests for advanced placement, transfer of credit, or credit for experiential learning. The clinical year is devoted to 12 months of training with required six-week rotations in family medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, prenatal care/gynecology, general surgery, and internal medicine; one six-week selective rotation of behavioral health, otorhinolaryngology, orthopedics, rural or underserved primary care medicine, or an internal medicine subspecialty; and one six-week and one four-week elective rotation that may include other selectives or specialties. All required rotations must be completed in Florida, primarily within 80–100 miles from NSU’s Fort Myers Campus. Each student will complete at least one rotation in a rural or underserved area. This will likely entail traveling beyond the 80–100-mile radius of Fort Myers, Florida. For core rotations assigned by the program outside of the 100-mile radius, student housing may be provided. Each required rotation has assigned readings and learning objectives. At the end of each rotation, a written comprehensive examination is administered and must be passed. During rotations, students will be supervised by licensed practitioners and will actively participate in patient assessments, perform common laboratory procedures, interpret common diagnostic examinations, and help manage common medical problems. The work hours during clinical rotations are set by the preceptor and can include evening and weekend hours. Students are required to work a minimum of 40 hours per week, although many rotation sites require a greater student participation.
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