Marietta PA graduates share their transformative experience

by Gi Smith

Marietta, OH (07/22/2024) — Still in her cap and gown, Anna Slayden PA'24 (Martinsburg, West Virginia) took a few minutes to reflect on how far she has come since the Marietta College Physician Assistant Studies graduate program first came across her radar.

"When I came to the interview, it felt like home, and I knew it was the right choice for me," she said. "Now, when I look back, the past two years have flown by. It didn't feel like it at times - studying and learning so much and really working hard - but it feels like yesterday."

Slayden was among the 34 students who graduated with a Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies on Saturday, July 20, in the Dyson Baudo Recreation Center. Since its creation in 2002, Marietta College has graduated a total of 635 students in the PA program, which consists of a 26-month curriculum and is accredited through the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA).

Program Director Christi Gierhart led the Commencement ceremony, which began with a formal procession, followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Gage Turner PA'24 (Mingo Junction, Ohio). Gierhart recognized various award winners as well as the newest members of the Pi Alpha Honor Society: Emma Arnold PA'24 (Midlothian, Texas) Breanna Cecil PA'24 (Beckley, West Virginia), Lindsey Clark PA'24 (Louisville, Kentucky), Jaana Motton PA'24 (Groveport, Ohio) and Alexander Navolanic PA'24 (Parma, Ohio). Barry Brownstein PA'06 was recognized as Alumnus of the Year, and Dr. John Grosel, McCoy Professor and Medical Director for the Program, was presented a Lifetime Achievement Award.

"The faculty here are unlike any others you'll find," said Slayden, who has decided to stay in the area and hopes to work in primary care. "They go above and beyond to make their students feel welcomed and have the resources that they need. I don't think I would have had the same family environment if I chose to go anywhere else."

Adam Jones PA'24 (Canton, Michigan) echoed Slayden's sentiment about Marietta's strong sense of community.

"To be honest, Marietta wasn't my first choice, but it was my best choice that I've made in a very long time," Jones said. "I would say family culture atmosphere is why I would choose Marietta. I interviewed at a few other places, and while they were all good, they didn't give me the family, camaraderie, compassion atmosphere that Marietta did - just in the interview alone. My two years of being here confirmed that. I would recommend it. If anyone is debating between two schools, this would be my choice again."

Jones will start his new position in acute care surgery and trauma surgery at Marietta Memorial in late August.

Now that they have graduated from Marietta's ARC-PA accredited program, each graduate is eligible to sit for the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE), which is required for licensure. Currently, Marietta College boasts a 100% pass rate on the national certification exam and a 99.1% graduation rate since the program began in 2002.

The 2023 cohort graduates reported a 100% employment rate within six months of graduation and an average starting salary of $98,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates employment growth of 27% in this healthcare field between 2022 and 2032. In addition to pre-law and pre-med tracks, Marietta College also offers a pre-PA track for undergraduates looking to enter PA school after graduation.

Located in Marietta, Ohio, at the confluence of the Muskingum and Ohio rivers, Marietta College is a four-year liberal arts college. Tracing its roots to the Muskingum Academy, founded in 1797, the College was officially chartered in 1835. Today, Marietta College serves a body of 1,200 full-time students. The College offers over 50 majors and is consistently ranked among the top regional comprehensive colleges by U.S. News & World Report and The Princeton Review. Marietta was selected seventh in the nation according to the Brookings Institution's rankings of colleges by their highest value added, regardless of major.

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