SRU’s PA program hosting preceptor open house Nov. 1

Slippery Rock University will host current and prospective preceptors and affiliates of its physician assistant program at an open house event, Nov. 1 at the Harrisville Building.

Oct. 25, 2018

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. - Slippery Rock University will host a Preceptor and Affiliate Open House, 6-9 p.m., Nov. 1 at the University's Harrisville Building. The event will showcase SRU's physician assistant program to prospective and current medical providers who work with students from the PA program in a clinical setting.

"These preceptors and affiliates supervise, mentor and evaluate our students on clinical rotations," said Lynn Williams, associate professor of physician assistant and program director. "This event is intended to thank our existing preceptors and invite other physicians, physician assistant and nurse practitioners to see our facility and learn what we are all about."

Jerry Chmielewski, dean of the College of Health, Environment and Science, will serve as host of the open house.

"The open house is just another step for our partners in clinical sites to become more involved," Chmielewski said. "This is a great way to expand the lines of communication and give people the opportunity to experience our facility."

"Having been a preceptor myself, I can tell you it's a lot of fun to host a student for clinicals," said Williams, who previously practiced dermatology in New Castle before joining SRU earlier this year. "The students keep you on your toes and you have the opportunity to teach without having to commit to being a professor. You can teach them in your office when it is convenient for you."

SRU's PA program, which was launched in 2016, graduated its first class in May 2018. The program recently advanced in its accreditation process. The program is housed at 220 West Prairie Street in Harrisville, seven miles from Slippery Rock, in a renovated site that was once an elementary school. The facility houses 13 state-of-the-art labs, four exam rooms that include cameras for professors to monitor student progress, and equipment that simulates real-time patient care, including an interactive mannequin that produces mock vital signs.

Refreshments will be provided at the open house, including a "Taste of Harrisville" with food from various Harrisville restaurants.

"Harrisville has been very supportive of our program and we want to thank them by sharing the good stuff that the town has to offer with people who aren't from Harrisville," Williams said.

Medical providers interested in learning more or submitting an RSVP for the open house should contact Williams at lynn.williams@sru.edu.

MEDIA CONTACT: Justin Zackal | 724.738.4854 | justin.zackal@sru.edu