PA department makes holidays special for local family

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Each year during the holiday season, students, faculty and staff from Western Michigan University's physician assistant program adopts a family to help them meet basic needs and provide Christmas gifts for their children. Catholic Charities Diocese of Kalamazoo matched the PA program with a local family in need, a family with six with children ranging in age from three months to eight years old.

The students and faculty raised more than $700 in gifts and donations from the community, allowing them to meet all of the needs and “wishes” on the family's holiday list.

"I am constantly amazed by the generosity and compassion shown by our students," says Dave Areaux, chair of the department. "Every year they beat our expectations with their giving and volunteering in the community. It makes me very proud to join them in these efforts."

The American Association of Physician Assistants regularly posts on social media how “PAs Go Beyond” with their patients and in their communities. Congratulations to the Department of Physician Assistant on this example of "going beyond" in practice.

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