色花堂app

The PA program at 色花堂app (also offered at partner institution College of Idaho) offers a rigorous 24-month graduate curriculum that leads to a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS) degree and PA certificate.

Recently ranked 26th in the nation by U.S. News & World Report—a significant rise from its previous ranking of 50th—the program is recognized for its exceptional training and student-centered approach. Delivered simultaneously across three Idaho campuses through advanced telepresence technology, the program emphasizes clinical excellence, high faculty engagement, and service. With a strong history of growth and innovation, the program is a leading choice for aspiring physician assistants dedicated to improving healthcare in their communities. In March, the program also received a full 10-year accreditation renewal, making the program a well established educational piece of ISU for another decade. 

Jared Papa, program director of the PA program says, "Being ranked 26th in the nation is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the outstanding education and training provided by our program. With 310 PA programs nationwide—and that number continuing to grow—this recognition highlights the program’s excellence and impact. The PA program fosters a student-centered learning environment that is dedicated to developing highly skilled, compassionate, and collaborative physician assistants who are driven to serve others and improve the health of their communities. This ranking reflects the excellence of the trained PAs who go on to care for people across the nation."

Thanks to the Idaho legislature and institutional investment, the PA program recently received  $17 million for facility upgrades. This money, along with an additional $3 million designated for medical laboratory science programs, will provide state-of-the-art facilities for health science students at the university. Construction of a new life sciences building on the Pocatello campus is scheduled to begin in August of this year, with completion anticipated in January or February of 2027. In addition to modernizing the infrastructure, the project will create room to accommodate more students in the future. Overall, the updated facilities and improved proximity to key assets on the health professions and biology campus will significantly enhance the student experience.

Over the years, the PA program has benefited from several grants that have allowed them to educate students and receive training in rural areas of Idaho to provide care to underserved populations. Two distinct federal HRSA grants have played a major role in the program's growth. These grants introduced two new ideas: recruiting area rural high school students who grew up speaking Spanish by teaching them medical Spanish and exposing them to a variety of health professions. The PA program received a third HRSA grant called PACARE grant which focuses on preparing students to work in rural areas through a rural health training track.  Meanwhile, the GRIT Grant, focused on enhancing the grit and effectiveness of rural PAs, laid the foundation for two additional grant applications.

The university continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to meet the health care workforce needs and strengthening health care access across Idaho as it works in collaboration with Lewis-Clark State College to advance PA education in North Idaho. The PA program stands as a clear example of ISU’s dedication to addressing the region’s health care needs by preparing and placing qualified professionals where they’re needed most.