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Western’s first physician assistant class marks milestone at stethoscope ceremony
By Emily Leighton
Twenty-eight students prepare for careers in a growing health-care profession
By Emily Leighton
Working in patient management at a busy Ontario hospital, Jack Strong experienced the demands and complexities of delivering patient care.
"You see how many people are waiting for care and the pressure that puts on health-care teams,” he said. “It reinforced my interest in a career where I can work directly with patients and help make a difference.”
Strong is among 28 students in the inaugural class of the Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) program at Western’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry.
The students received their stethoscopes and recited a professional oath at a special ceremony on October 27, reaffirming their commitment to ethical, compassionate care and marking an important step in their training.
Launched earlier this year, the two-year professional master’s program aims to strengthen Ontario’s health-care workforce and improve access to patient care.
Physician assistants, or PAs, are medically trained professionals who work alongside supervising physicians, supporting patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment across a range of specialties and clinical settings.
The MPAS program combines medical foundations, clinical skills and professional competencies in the first year, followed by clinical rotations across London and Southwestern Ontario in the second. Students also undertake research and quality-improvement coursework.
Strong, who studied biomedical science and anatomical education at the University of Ottawa, was drawn to the flexibility offered by the profession.
"I like that we’re not limited to one specialty,” he said. “As my interests evolve, I’ll have the opportunity to explore different areas of health care, from emergency medicine to cardiology and oncology.”
As part of the inaugural cohort, Strong is also eager to help shape the program as it develops.
“Being part of the first class comes with a responsibility,” he said. “We have an opportunity to share our experiences and help build something that will benefit future students.”
Students Reet Toor (left) and Jack Strong (right) were drawn to the PA profession by the opportunity to work directly with patients and the flexibility to explore different areas of medicine.
For fellow MPAS student Reet Toor, the appeal of the profession is rooted in the relationships she hopes to build with patients.
Originally from Vancouver, Toor completed her undergraduate studies at the University of British Columbia before pursuing graduate studies at Schulich Medicine & Dentistry. During clinical rotations as part of her master’s program in medical sciences, she witnessed the contributions physician assistants make to patient care.
"Seeing how physician assistants work alongside physicians really opened my eyes to the profession,” she said. “I was struck by the important role they play in caring for patients and supporting the broader health-care team.”
“Coming from an immigrant family, I’ve seen how important it is for patients to understand their care. I want to help build that trust and help people feel informed and supported,” she added.
At the ceremony, Dr. John Yoo, dean of Schulich Medicine & Dentistry, encouraged students to embrace the art of listening.
“The stethoscope is a relatively simple instrument, but I believe it is one of the most powerful symbols in medicine,” he said. “It requires you to listen. Not just to heartbeats or breath sounds, but to the human story behind every patient you care for.”