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National Physician Assistant Week (PA Week) occurs from October 6th to 12th each year. This important week raises awareness about the critical contributions Physician Assistants (PAs) make in healthcare. PAs are versatile medical professionals who are pivotal in expanding access to care and improving health outcomes across the United States. At Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU), PA Week 2024 was marked by an inspiring initiative to serve the local community and put the values of the profession into action.
This year, SCU’s Master of Science: Physician Assistant Program kicked off PA Week with a meaningful service project at the LA Mission in downtown Los Angeles. The LA Mission, located near Skid Row, has long served as a refuge for the city’s unhoused population, providing essential services like meals, shelter, and support to those most in need.
SCU’s PA students organized and distributed over 100 hygiene kits to the area’s unhoused community. These kits contained essential items such as soap, toothbrushes, and other personal hygiene products. By providing these items, the students aimed to promote health, dignity, and comfort to individuals living in difficult circumstances.
According to Marley Figueroa, a second-year PA student at SCU, “PA Week is vital because it raises awareness about the critical role PAs play in the healthcare system, a role many people may not fully comprehend. The first week of October not only showcases the versatility of PAs, who work across specialties and provide high-quality care, but it also serves as a platform to educate the public on how we function as integral members of healthcare. PA Week helps highlight the importance of PAs in expanding access to care and celebrates the dedication and skills that PAs bring to the healthcare community every day.”
Marley’s words reflect the dual purpose of PA Week: both celebrating the profession and educating the public about the essential services PAs provide. The SCU PA students’ work at the LA Mission exemplifies this mission—showcasing how PAs can directly impact and uplift communities that are often left behind.
One of the most rewarding aspects of being a Physician Assistant is the ability to serve in underserved areas. Whether it’s a rural community with limited healthcare access or a marginalized urban population facing significant health disparities, PAs play a crucial role in improving health outcomes. By providing essential medical care and health education, PAs help bridge the healthcare gap that so often impacts vulnerable populations.
SCU’s PA students experienced this first-hand during their service day at the LA Mission. By directly engaging with the community, they gained invaluable insights into the challenges faced by unhoused individuals and the role healthcare professionals can play in addressing those challenges. This practical experience helps prepare PA students to become compassionate and effective healthcare providers who are ready to make a difference wherever they serve.
Community service is a core component of SCU’s PA program, and activities like the LA Mission Service Day help shape students into healthcare professionals with a deep sense of empathy and social responsibility. Through direct service, students gain a better understanding of the realities of healthcare access, especially for marginalized groups, and develop the skills needed to meet the unique needs of these populations.
The experience of assembling and delivering hygiene kits during PA Week provided SCU’s PA students with more than just an opportunity to give back. It also served as a real-world lesson in the challenges of healthcare delivery outside traditional clinical settings and underscored the importance of creativity, compassion, and teamwork in meeting the needs of all patients.
Learn more about SCU’s Master of Science Physician Assistant Program, or apply now and start your journey as a Physician Assistant at SCU.