Physician Assistant Studies program welcomes first cohort

Lenoir-Rhyne University’s Physician Assistant Studies program welcomed its first cohort to start the spring 2026 semester, marking an important milestone in the program’s launch.

Collectively, the cohort represents a broad spectrum of prior clinical and health-related roles, including athletic training, emergency medical services, medical assisting, laboratory work, pharmacy support, behavioral therapy, clinical research and more. Faculty say that diversity of perspective and experience enriches the learning environment. 

“Each of these students has invested countless hours in experiential learning and extensive shadowing, all while navigating a highly competitive admissions process,” said Jennifer Chesson, MSPA, PA-C, assistant professor for the MSPAS program. “They’ve traveled from communities throughout the United States to be part of this program, united by a shared goal of becoming Physician Assistants. Now, they’re beginning to live out that dream.” 

During their first semester, students are focusing on foundational coursework designed to prepare them for the demands of clinical practice. Session I emphasizes anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology and health care issues.  In Session II, students will begin more clinically focused coursework, including clinical medicine, instruction in taking patient histories and performing physical examinations, continuing to build on the knowledge they’ve already developed. 

The program’s curriculum is intentionally structured to integrate classroom learning with clinical thinking early , helping students approach patient care with confidence and curiosity. 

“This semester, we’re excited to see students apply what they’re learning to real-world scenarios,” Chesson said. “It’s rewarding to watch them start developing the habits of mind that will carry them from their first day in the program through their entire careers as PAs.” 

Students in the program learn in modern facilities designed to support applied, collaborative education, including a fully equipped anatomy lab, assessment lab and mock patient rooms. The program also partners with ValleySim, a state-of-the-art simulation hospital at Catawba Valley Community College, where students gain realistic, team-based clinical experience. Interprofessional collaboration with other health science programs on campus further enhances their preparation for patient-centered care. 

Program Director Wesley N. Reid, DMSc, PA-C, said these facilities and partnerships reflect a program intentionally designed to support students from the earliest stages of training through clinical practice. 

“We’ve been very deliberate about building a program that is organized, forward-looking and focused on student success,” Reid said. “With strong support from the university and from a local medical community eager to partner in education, we’re creating a learning environment that gives students confidence as they prepare to serve patients and communities.” 

Beyond academics, faculty members are eager to see students form meaningful relationships within the cohort and across campus. They also hope to build strong connections with the broader medical community, welcoming professionals who want to support students as preceptors, clinical site partners or guest participants. 

“Above all, we’re excited to watch these students grow — as learners, as teammates and as future clinicians,” Reid said. “They’re here because they care deeply about patients, and one day, they’ll give back through high-quality, compassionate care.” 

The ARC-PA has granted Accreditation-Provisional status to the Lenoir-Rhyne University Master of Science in PA Studies sponsored by Lenoir-Rhyne University. 

Accreditation-Provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding Accreditation-Provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. 

Accreditation-Provisional does not ensure any subsequent accreditation status. It is limited to no more than five years from matriculation of the first class. 

The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at https://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-lenoir-rhyne-university/.