College of Health and Human Services

PA students participated at fall conference

WMU PA students and faculty pose in front of their winning display of donated items with the directors of REACH and Traverse Place

Every year, the Michigan Academy of Physician Assistants annual Fall CME Conference includes information and activities for practitioners and students alike. The fall 2018 conference was held last October in Traverse City.

Western Michigan University PA faculty and students attended the conference. WMU students regularly participate in events like the annual community service project and quiz bowl.

Community service project

Each year, the conference hosts a student competition to benefit charity organizations. This year's recipients were REACH (Runaway Emergency Action Center Hotline) and Traverse Place. Both organizations provide shelter, counseling and family reunification services, as well as assistance with employment and educational opportunities for children and young adults ages 10-21.

L to R: WMU second year PA students Josiah Weber, Nicole Tighe, Lorelle VanBeek and Colin Knue

Students from the six PA programs from institutions across the state of Michigan competed to collect the most and widest range of supplies for these two organizations. The items they collected included cleaning supplies, gift cards, kitchen items, school supplies and personal care products. When the collections were displayed and judged at this year's conference, WMU's students were declared the winners.

Quiz bowl

WMU students also participated in the Michigan PA Foundation Student Quiz Bowl on Friday night during the conference. Quiz bowl teams from each of the six PA programs competed in the "Jeoparty" style event. Teams consist of four first- or second-year students.

While WMU didn’t make it to the quiz bowl finals this year, they displayed excellent teamwork/sportsmanship and greatly enjoyed the experience.