While many students are just beginning the academic year, those enrolled in Georgia Campus – Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s (GA-PCOM) Physician Assistant (PA) Studies program have reached a milestone on their journey to becoming physician assistants. Today, GA-PCOM’s inaugural class of 20 PA students earned their white coats.
The White Coat Ceremony for the Physician Assistant Studies Class of 2018 was held at the Infinite Energy Center in Duluth at 11 a.m. and featured guest speaker James Becker, PA-C. He advised the students that “faculty members are not your true teachers, although they observe your actions and interactions and insure you possess a caring and compassionate attitude.” But rather patients will be the true teachers.
“Some will give their lives for you to learn,” he said.
Describing the profession as a calling, he said, “You empower the (white) coat. It doesn’t empower you.” He advised the students to fill their coat pockets with four items—a mirror for self-reflection; running shoes to pursue perfection; a sense of humor and joy; and a tuba or other passion outside of work.
“Work is important,” he said, “but so is life.”
Becker has practiced as a surgical PA in Gainesville, Georgia, for the past 17 years. He has served as both a committee chairperson and board member of the Georgia Association of Physician Assistants. He will join the GA-PCOM physician assistant studies faculty as associate professor and clinical coordinator in October of 2016.
Dr. Laura Levy, chair of PCOM’s Physician Assistant Studies department addressed the PA students’ family members and friends. “You are about to become involved in medical education,” she said, noting that their ear canals, retinas, chests, abdomens and lung and heart sounds are very valuable to the students. She added, “You will most likely endure the longest and most thorough medical exams possible!”
Established in 2005, PCOM Georgia is a branch campus of Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine (PCOM), a private, not-for-profit, accredited institution of higher education with a storied 125-year history dedicated to the healthcare professions. Located in Suwanee (Gwinnett County), PCOM Georgia offers doctoral degrees in osteopathic medicine, pharmacy and physical therapy. Graduate degrees are offered in biomedical sciences, medical laboratory science and physician assistant studies. The campus joins PCOM South Georgia in Moultrie in helping to meet the healthcare needs of the state. Emphasizing "a whole person" approach to care, PCOM Georgia focuses on educational excellence, interprofessional education and service to the community. For more information, visit pcom.edu or call 678-225-7500. The campus is also home to the Georgia Osteopathic Care Center, an osteopathic manipulative medicine clinic, which is open to the public by appointment. For more information, visit pcomgeorgiahealth.org.
Jamesia Harrison, MS
Assistant Director, News and Media Relations
Email: jamesiaha@pcom.edu
Office: 678-225-7532 | Cell: 470-572-7558
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