CARIBOU, Maine — The University of New England recently presented the team at Pines Health Services with a plaque in appreciation for their dedicated service and commitment to the University of New England physician assistant program.
Physician assistants (PAs) are health professionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Within the physician/PA relationship, physician assistants exercise autonomy in medical decision making and provide a broad range of diagnostic and therapeutic services.
The UNE physician assistant program operates on a 24-month, full-time calendar, beginning each June with a new entering class. Participants receive a foundation in science and pathophysiology to foster understanding of disease processes and clinical medicine. Evidence-based medicine theory and small group work assist in developing critical thinking skills required to address complex medical and surgical challenges.
“We are very thankful for this partnership with the University of New England that allows preceptorship to bridge the gap between the classroom and the clinical area where family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics and obstetrics is practiced,” said Lisa Caron, Chief Operating Officer at Pines Health Services.
“The Pines team has several experienced physicians who are enthusiastic about their profession and have a desire to teach. Role modeling professional interactions at our health centers, demonstrating high quality, compassionate health care, and giving timely and appropriate feedback to the student are ways of fulfilling this role,” she said.
According to Pines officials, UNE’s program seeks to prepare master’s level primary care physician assistants to be highly skilled healthcare team members. The program is committed to developing clinicians who will provide compassionate, competent and evidence-based, patient-centered care to people of all backgrounds and cultures throughout their lifespans, with special emphasis on health care needs of the aging population.
Submitted by the Community Relations and Development Office of Cary Medical Center.
