SCU’s MSPA Program Awarded Song-Brown Grant to Advance Health Equity

Southern California University of Health Sciences (SCU) Master of Science: Physician Assistant (MSPA) program was awarded a $65,000 grant from the California Department of Healthcare Access and Information (HCAI). The grant funding will allow the MSPA program to continue advancing efforts to recruit students from diverse backgrounds and expand training in high-need communities. SCU’s MSPA program remains committed to ensuring that all patients, regardless of socioeconomic status or geographic location, have access to the providers they deserve.

“Receiving this grant is both an incredible honor and a meaningful investment in our students and the communities we serve,” said Melanie Catalano, MSPA Program Director. “It reflects our dedication to expanding opportunities for aspiring PAs, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, and to ensure that their clinical training prepares them to meet the needs of diverse patient populations.

SCU’s MSPA program received the grant after a competitive evaluation process. The grant program’s criteria prioritize funding programs that demonstrate success in admitting students from underrepresented groups, training students in medically underserved areas, and placing graduates in medically underserved areas—all areas where SCU excels.

The grant award was made possible through the Song-Brown Healthcare Workforce Training Program, which aims to increase the number of students and residents receiving quality primary care education and training in areas of unmet need throughout California.

“This recognition affirms the importance of our work and the impact our graduates will have on California’s healthcare landscape”, said PA Catalano. “We are excited for the opportunities ahead and grateful for the support of the Song-Brown Program in helping us fulfill our mission.”

Learn more about SCU’s MSPA program and start your journey as a Physician Assistant today.