Greetings from the University of Florida School of Physician Assistant Studies and welcome to the first edition of our e-newsletter.  You may know that I was named Associate Dean and Director of the UF PA School in January, 2011. I succeeded Wayne Bottom, whose lifelong passion was the pursuit of excellence in advancing the PA profession locally, regionally, and nationally.  Under his management, the UF PA program moved from the College of Allied Health Professions to the College of Medicine in 1993; doubled in enrollment in 1996; and earned School status just a few years ago. This move ensured that the UF PA School Director would enjoy the same rights and privileges as those granted to all other chairs in the UF College of Medicine. I am very grateful for the solid foundation laid by Wayne which clearly built our program's strong stature today.

Speaking of our strong stature, I thought you might want to know that last year's graduating class had a 100% pass rate on the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE). Each year, UF PA graduates exceed the national average for their scores on this exam, another indicator of the strength of our program. 

Until a few years ago, the University of Florida boasted the only PA program in the state.  Clinical training sites were numerous and relatively easy to find.  There are now nine accredited programs with three more in various stages of development. This increase has led to greater demands for clinical rotation sites. In fact, one of our current students will spend her rotation in Australia later this year, and although such extensive travel for a rotation is an anomaly, it does point to how important clinical locations are to our program.

Over the past year, we have had a number of clinical rotation sites inform us that they can no longer accept UF PA students. These decisions are not due to the quality of our students or any aspect of our program, but rather pressure from outside forces.  The situation is reaching a critical state and we are asking your help on several fronts.

Please consider becoming a clinical preceptor for our students. We have a special need for preceptors and clinical rotations in Women's Health, Pediatrics, Psychiatry/Behavioral Medicine, and Emergency Medicine.  Even if you work in another specialty, we encourage you to consider the opportunity to give back to your profession and alma mater by letting other PAs know of this need.   We need your help to train future generations of Gator Physician Assistants. 

Please contact me, Randy Mahoney or Peggy Cissna at the UF School of Physician Assistant Studies to convey your interest or if we can answer any questions.  I hope to hear from you soon and please pass this on to anyone else who may be in a position to help.

Ralph Rice, DHSc, PA-C
Associate Dean & Director  

UF PA School AAPA Reception
Sunday, May 26
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Renaissance Washington DC
Downtown Hotel
Meeting Room 15
999 Ninth St. NW
Washington, DC 20001
RSVP to Debbie Herman or call 352-294-5469

UF PA School White Coat Ceremony:
Friday, May 31st
2 p.m.
Health, Pharmacy, Nursing Professions (HPNP) Auditorium

UF PA School Commencement:
June 22nd
3:30 p.m.
Phillips Center.
Tickets are required but readily available. Contact Peggy Cissna, for more information.

Ralph Rice, DHSc, PA-C
Associate Dean & Director

Jason Fromm, MD
Medical Director

Frank Genuardi, MD
Associate Medical Director

Robert K. Boblin, PA-C, MS
Assistant Professor and Director of Student Evaluation

Petar Brietinger, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor

Elizabeth Brownlee, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor & Director of Didactic Education

Shalon R. Buchs, PA-C
Director of Admissions

Randy Mahoney, MPAS, PA-C
Assistant Professor & Director of Clinical Education

Karen Mulitalo, MPAS, PA-C
Associate Professor & Associate Director

Amber Whitmore, MMS, PA-C
Assistant Professor

H. Teresa Cain
Program Assistant for Evaluation and Accreditation

Melinda Canton
Program Assistant for Admissions

Peggy Cissna
Office Manager

Rhonda R. Douglas
Program Assistant
telephone: 352/265-7955
fax: 352/265-7996

Keri Stone
Program Assistant

New job? New baby? We want to hear what is happening in your life. Contact Peggy Cissna and we will publish it in an upcoming edition of this newsletter.