Pipeline to the Physician Assistant Profession: A Look to the Future

Stephane VanderMeulen, Stephane VanderMeulen, MPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and the program director for the Physician Assistant Program, Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.
Jennifer A. Snyder, Stephane VanderMeulen, MPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and the program director for the Physician Assistant Program, Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.
William Kohlhepp, Stephane VanderMeulen, MPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and the program director for the Physician Assistant Program, Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.
Lisa Mustone Alexander, Stephane VanderMeulen, MPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and the program director for the Physician Assistant Program, Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.
Howard Straker, Stephane VanderMeulen, MPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and the program director for the Physician Assistant Program, Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.
Jonathan Bowser, Stephane VanderMeulen, MPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and the program director for the Physician Assistant Program, Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.
Mary Jo Bondy, Stephane VanderMeulen, MPAS, PA-C, is an associate professor and the program director for the Physician Assistant Program, Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska.

Abstract

The current pipeline of physician assistant (PA) school applicants reflects the future workforce of the profession, which is why the admissions process with all its components and variables is so important. Many studies have shown that a workforce that represents the patients it cares for leads to improved health outcomes, especially among underrepresented minority populations. Yet, PA programs have made little progress over the past 2 decades in increasing the diversity of matriculants and graduates. As a profession, it is our collective responsibility to intentionally advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and examining the admissions process would be the most logical place to start.

This paper has been withdrawn.