Physician Assistant Global Experiences
Arcadia’s Physician Assistant (PA) program offers a variety of optional experiences that broaden the perspective of a traditional medical education, including service opportunities and international clinical experiences. Many of our students find the experience of service or international practice to be an illuminating piece of their medical education. These experiences can offer unique perspectives on how medical care differs in various communities, both domestically and internationally. The availability of these opportunities, particularly internationally, vary year by year and capacity may limit the number of students able to participate in these experiences.
International Clinical Rotations
These experiences enable participating students to spend four weeks internationally with a supervising physician providing health care in a variety of clinical settings. To-date, Arcadia PA students have studied in over twenty countries around the world, including South Africa, Bolivia, England, Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, and Italy.
Student costs for international clinical rotation opportunities typically range from $2,500 to $5,000, depending on the location of the experience. We offer limited scholarships of $1,500 to eligible students toward the cost of international rotations.
Medical Service Trip
This upcoming May, the Arcadia PA Program will provide a medical service trip to Lima, Peru through MedLife, a non-profit organization that partners with low-income communities in Latin America and Africa to improve their access to medicine, education and community development projects. Arcadia PA students had been participating in an annual medical service trip since 2013, with the exception 2021 due to the pandemic.
Service Opportunities: PA Olympics
The PA Olympics, an annual event uniting the leadership of local Physician Assistant(PA) faculty and students, continues to make a significant impact on the community by fostering collaboration and service towards charitable causes. Founded in 2003 by Professor Michael Huber, MMS, PA-C, DFAAPA, Associate Program Director and Director of Outreach in the Department of Medical Science at Arcadia University, the PA Olympics has become a hallmark event for PA programs in the surrounding area. Each year, PA students from institutions including Arcadia University, Alvenia University, DeSales University, Drexel University, Salus University, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Temple University, Saint Joseph’s University, West Chester University, Delaware Valley University, Jefferson University East Falls/New Jersey, and Jefferson University Center City, come together to support a chosen local charitable organization.
The PA Olympics fundraising efforts kick off with individual program initiatives and a combined fundraiser at Lucky Strike, all in support of the designated charity. Over a three-month period, teams engage in fundraising activities culminating in The Amazing Race, a thrilling race through the streets of Philadelphia. Teams solve riddles, tackle challenges, and navigate landmarks, showcasing their teamwork and problem-solving skills.
This year, the PA Olympics has rallied behind the noble mission of For Pete’s Sake, a Cancer Respite Foundation dedicated to providing transformative experiences for cancer patients and their families. The fundraising efforts are dedicated to the memory of Adam Moore, a beloved member of the physician assistant education community, whose dedication to PA Olympics and boundless generosity continue to inspire. The culmination of the PA Olympics is a celebratory closing party at Moriarty’s Irish Pub, where participants gather to honor their fundraising achievements. The school that raises the most funds receives a symbolic trophy, recognizing their dedication and generosity. Additionally, the victorious team of The Amazing Race earns a trophy, celebrating their triumph in the thrilling competition.
From its humble beginnings, the PA Olympics has made a significant impact, donating over a quarter of a million dollars to local charities and leaving an indelible mark on the lives of countless individuals within the community.