Two students enrolled in Concordia University Wisconsin’s Physician Assistant Studies program are the recipients of scholarships from the Wisconsin Academy of Physician Assistants Foundation.
Last night, during a reception at the Osthoff Resort, the WAPA Foundation announced Karina Klotz (’19) and Megan Swain (’19) among their three scholarship winners. WAPA selected the three from a candidate pool of students studying in PA programs throughout the state.
Klotz receieved the Norine Friell Service Award, given to a PA student in his or her final year of school who demonstrates exemplary service to the community. Swain was awarded the Future Wisconsin PA Award, a scholarship given annually to an individual who is pursuing a degree in Wisconsin toward becoming a PA and who is also a child of a WAPA member. Holly Swain, Megan’s mother, accepted the award on behalf of her daughter, who is currently on rotation in Utah.
This is the first time since the CUW program’s start in 2013 that a Concordia student has received a WAPA award.
“It’s a tremendous honor to have even one student recognized, so to have two in one year is really exciting,” says PA Director Jacqueline Kazik, MA, PA-C, who last year received the WAPA’s Wisconsin Physician Assistant of the Year award, given annually to a Wisconsin PA who demonstrates excellence in the field. “This recognition from WAPA speaks to the caliber of students that our program attracts and serves as a validation of the quality educational experience we offer at Concordia. We’re very proud of our students.”
Earlier this fall, Concordia celebrated another achievement of its program when the university received word that its most recent PA cohort achieved a 100-percent first-time pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), the requisite test for all physician assistants who wish to become licensed in the Unites States. It’s the second year in a row Concordia’s PA program has achieved the feat.
Concordia recently invested in upgrades to its School of Health Professions wing. Students currently enrolled in PA, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy programs have the opportunity to work in a brand-new skills lab. Last month, Concordia dedicated its new multi-functional lab, which comes complete with 15 patient exam stations with high-low tables, mounted equipment, and curtains to allow for semi-private exams.
Learn more about Concordia’s Health Professions programs at cuw.edu/health-professions.
— This story is written by Kali Thiel, director of university communications for Concordia University Wisconsin and Ann Arbor. She may be reached at kali.thiel@cuw.edu or 262-243-2149.
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