Author: w754p699@wichita.edu

The Wichita State physician associate program is proud to announce that the class of 2025 has achieved a 100% PANCE (Physician Associate National Certifying Examination) pass rate. This is well above the current national pass rate for first time takers of 93%.

Congratulations to the class of 2025, and the program would like to thank its preceptors, guest speakers, Dean Gregory Hand and President Rick Muma for their outstanding support of the students.

During his first clinical rotation, physician associate student Jack Ellzey headed west to Leoti, Kansas. There he got a truly rural Kansas experience.

“In a county of 2000, you are the one-stop shop for everything medical-related. One minute you are finishing your day in the clinic, then you are working a shift at the county fair food shack that evening, before helping EMS during the rodeo. The emergency department consists of one provider, one room, and two beds- yet handles everything from lacerations to multi-system traumas. This rotation confirmed to me why I chose medicine: the privilege of learning through real responsibility, communicating with patients on my own in a meaningful way, and the teamwork aspect that makes everything work. I will be forever grateful to Leoti for the knowledge and experiences they instilled in me, demonstrating that a location on a map does not diminish the level of care that patients deserve.”

Dr. Stephen Lewia, assistant professor and director of Clinical Education for the Physician Associate (PA) program, has been appointed as the American Academy of Physician Associates (AAPA) liaison to the American Medical Association (AMA), one of the largest organizations representing physicians in the United States. In this role, he will advocate for PAs and their patients while working to strengthen relationships with physician colleagues. Having PAs represented within the AMA helps ensure that policies and discussions reflect the realities of team-based care and the essential role PAs play in meeting patient needs.

Dr. Lewia brings years of national leadership experience, having served as director at Large on the AAPA Board of Directors and as chair of AAPA’s Government Relations and Practice Advancement Commission. Drawing on this experience and his strong commitment to advancing the PA profession, Dr. Lewia aims to foster understanding, build collaborative partnerships, and help shape the profession’s future. This appointment is for a two-year term, with the possibility of extension to four years.

Wichita State Physician Associate student Chad Izzo (class of 2025) has been selected as one of five inaugural Michael Powe Leadership in Advocacy Scholarship award winners from the American Academy of Physician Associates.

Recipients were selected for their commitment to advocacy for the PA profession, while maintaining academic excellence and demonstrating leadership. Chad is an active member of the Kansas Academy of PAs (KAPA) and is a flight paramedic with the Kansas Army National Guard.