by Abby Totten, Student Public Relations Writer
Cedarville University is a step closer to enrolling its inaugural cohort in the new physician assistant (PA) program with student orientation and faculty hires completed. The program, which received Accreditation-Provisional* status from the ARC-PA last fall, begins on May 8.
The graduate program held an on-campus in person orientation on March 3 for its first cohort of students. The orientation included an introduction to Cedarville University’s administration and campus services, interaction with faculty, staff and the opportunity to interact as classmates. 
“This is an exciting time for Cedarville as we launch another graduate program in the healthcare space to equip, train and disciple Christian PAs for kingdom impact in our world,” said Jason Grahame, program director and associate professor of PA studies.
The cohort of 30 students includes nine current Cedarville students or graduates, including Aimee Aubut, who will graduate from Cedarville’s allied health program on May 6
“Something that’s important to me is the faith basis of Cedarville’s programs,” said Aubut. Cedarville has one of the 12 faith-based PA programs in the U.S. This is attractive to Aubut as she hopes to practice medicine in a missions context. “The professors are really striving to prepare us for when we become PAs and to train us in a professional manner so that we’re professional in our practice as well,” she continued.
The faculty members for the new program have been at the university since last summer, but the most recent staff members include Cathey Kincade, program coordinator, and Cheryl Peak, clinical year coordinator.
“We have a fantastic team of faculty and staff, and we are in awe of what God has done and is doing to bring this dream to reality,” said Grahame. “We can’t wait to train up and launch out Christian PAs into their careers for Christ-honoring, people-loving service for kingdom impact.”
*Accreditation-provisional is an accreditation status granted when the plans and resource allocation, if fully implemented as planned, of a proposed program that has not yet enrolled students appear to demonstrate the program’s ability to meet the ARC-PA Standards or when a program holding accreditation-provisional status appears to demonstrate continued progress in complying with the Standards as it prepares for the graduation of the first class (cohort) of students. The program’s accreditation history can be viewed on the ARC-PA website at http://www.arc-pa.org/accreditation-history-cedarville-university.
Located in southwest Ohio, Cedarville University is an accredited, Christ-centered, Baptist institution with an enrollment of 5,082 undergraduate, graduate, and dual-enrollment high school students in more than 175 areas of study. Founded in 1887, Cedarville is one of the largest private universities in Ohio, recognized nationally for its authentic Christian community, rigorous academic programs, high graduation and retention rates, accredited professional and health science offerings, and the #4 national ranking by the Wall Street Journal for student engagement. For more information about the University, visit cedarville.edu.