Community Involvement

Western Regional Meeting, Student Pathway

The 2008 Western Regional Meeting was held in conjunction with the 19th Annual Washington Academy of Physician Assistants Winter Conference in Seattle. At this meeting they held a side-by-side student pathway open to PA students. Students representing the western region were in attendance: Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon
and Washington.

Bethany Dekoning, PA-S (Arizona) who represents SAAAPA as the Special Projects Coordinator, spoke on: Student Leadership. She gave an in-depth description of what students can expect at the annual May conference in
San Antonio. She made the duties of the AOR and HOD reps come alive and eased the anxiety level for several of
those who will be participating.

Grace Landel, PA-C and Linda Vorvick, MD, both faculty at MEDEX Northwest, gave invaluable advice on Negotiating That First Job (Grace) followed by Practice Management: Be Faster, Practice Better & Know your Worth (Linda). These two sessions alone were worth braving the winter elements to attend. Students participated in lively, thought provoking discussions related to contracts and how to spell out their needs and most importantly their worth. Dr. Vorvick provided
a spreadsheet for calculating your worth by the day, by the hour. Hopefully these two sessions will be given again and again.

Grace also gave an excellent presentation on: Preparing for the PANCE. She held an interactive and stimulating discussion on studying and preparing for the National Exam. Participating students who want to avoid test anxiety jotted all the pearls down for future use.

Kim Dotson, PA-C and graduate of MEDEX Spokane educated students on: NHSC – One Option for Debt Reduction After Graduation. Kim works at a minimally secure corrections facility in Washington and is a NHSC recipient. She is
also a valuable resource for providers wanting information about how to get a clinic designated a loan repayment site. Kim also had valuable information for students wanting information on scholarships.

Bob Glazewski, PA-C, graduate of MEDEX Seattle and legendary preceptor, spoke to students on: Surviving Clerkships. This chat was informal yet dynamic for its impact on the participants. He spoke on the importance of the student’s role in the clinical setting, professionalism and the fact that it is ok to say, “I don’t know.” 

Thank you to all the speakers and all the students who represented their programs.

Yakima Students in the Sun!

by Terra Lynn Bilodeaux, Yakima Community Service Coordinator

Yakima Class 14 students volunteered in the first annual Zirkle Fruit Health Fair in Selah, WA early September 2007.  They participated by running the blood pressure clinic and handing out blood pressure awareness pamphlets, heart disease pamphlets, and heart healthy diet information packets.  This was a great experience for the students because it gave them a chance to help community members get a better understanding about their health and learn about daily activities that can be done to help maintain a healthy life.  

Spokane PA Students Make a Difference this Holiday Season.

By Karla Clinger, Community Service Coordinator

MEDEX Spokane Class 11 put their money and time somewhere it would really make a difference. They sponsored a local family with a community church, Hamblin Park Presbyterian, to help make their holiday memorable.

The students gathered a variety of Christmas gifts from family, friends and people from the community who all donated items to fill an entire family's Christmas wish list. They worked hard shopping for items such as a bike, play station for the family, 2 bed comforter and sheet sets, bath soap and lotion for mom, exersaucer play gym for the baby, tons of baby clothes, an ipod, a variety of toys, movies and games. After an intense week of final exams four of the students represented their class in delivering the gifts. Ben Pate, Jared Crawford, Kari Duclos and James Garcia met together and finished wrapping last minute gifts, loaded up their cars and delivered them to the family.

Upon their arrival, as they started carrying the presents into the home,the mother of the family stood there in total disbelief and amazement. She was completely overcome with the generosity and thoughtfulness of these future healthcare providers. Two of the little kids ran down the stairs and saw a Christmas miracle. Their eyes just sparkled as they witnessed the living room fill up with gifts. Once the shock wore off they started scurrying around to check which presents had their names on them! Squeals of delight could be heard throughout the neighborhood.

“This was my best Christmas ever”, stated one of the students.

MEDEX Spokane PA Students Participate in Disaster Response Exercise

By Sharon Moses, ARNP, Spokane Faculty and Angela Pischel, Spokane Operations Specialist

Federal, state and local disaster response agencies, as well as several local organizations tested their ability to respond to a region-wide emergency. This is the first time that the annual event has occurred in eastern Washington. The Regional Homeland Security and Spokane Regional Health District sponsored this exercise.

Spokane’s Class 11 of 26 Physician Assistant students helped lead the way in this citywide event. The exercise began Tuesday, October 30, with local health jurisdictions investigating cases of a mock illness, and progressed through Thursday, November 1, with mass care centers set up throughout the region which tested the ability to dispense medication to the public within a very short time frame.

The PA students were assigned a variety of duties including administration of flu shots, education and triage, monitoring patient flow and assisting patients with special needs.

“Because of you (MEDEX) we were very successful in standing up 2 Points of Dispensing, receiving the Strategic National Stockpile assets and serving the people of Spokane with the dispensing of over 260 flu vaccines.” Patti Richards, Emergency Preparedness and Response Specialist Spokane Regional Health District

“The students were wonderful and gave this exercise their all. Faculty Don Coerver, PhD, PA-C and
Steven Meltzer, PA-C were excellent mentors as well as participants.” Sharon Moses, ARNP MEDEX point of contact

Students in Seattle Class 41 participate in Self - Care Day at the 45th St. Clinic in Seattle.

By Sydney Johnstone, Community Service Coordinator

45th St. Clinic has been serving low income and uninsured people since 1972 and provides over 25,000 visits per year in a full-service family practice setting. In addition, we have three Homeless Outreach Programs:
1. Family Team - an RN, a PA-C and a counselor visit 6 battered women's/family shelters and one school; 2. Pathways Home - 2 RNs with PA-C supervision do health related case management on a multidisciplinary team with MSW, CD, Mental Health, and Child Mental Health specialists working with multiproblem homeless families; 3. Homeless Youth Clinic - PA-C, ARNP, MSW, MDs, CD and Mental Health providers work with street youth on a range of physical and mental health issues, also offering acupuncture and naturopathic care.

On November 26th Seattle class 41 students participated in the Self-care Day for women from our DV and Family Shelters. Homeless moms have so many responsibilities and need a lot of encouragement to prioritize their own health needs. This day will included a guided meditation, stretching, a Women's Health Q & A, hand, foot or chair massage, crafts, and good food. Medex Class 41 spent the day preparing gift bags for each of the women who attend.