For immediate release September 24, 2010

Media contact: Jacquie Lucy 443-840-4668 / 410-340-2148 (cell)

Towson University-CCBC Essex Physician Assistant Program marks
National PA Week – Oct. 6-12, 2010

Baltimore County, Md. – Although many people are now familiar with the term “Nurse Practitioner,” most are still unaware of a similar health care professional – “Physician Assistant.” Physician Assistants (PAs) are licensed health professionals who practice medicine as members of a team with supervising physicians. PAs deliver a broad range of medical and surgical services to diverse populations in rural, urban and suburban settings.

Both Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants can prescribe medication, conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive health care and assist in surgery, to name only a few.

According to Donna Sewell, MS, PA-C, director of the Towson University-CCBC Essex PA program, “The main difference between the professions is one of philosophy. PAs see themselves as practicing medicine while NPs see themselves in an advanced Nursing role. Regardless, both professionals strengthen the health care workforce and help alleviate the impact of the shortage of physicians.”

In 2003, Towson University and the Community College of Baltimore County, Essex joined forces to begin educating students as Physician Assistants. The result is a full-time 26-month continuous enrollment, 96-credit program. Applicants are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree and strong science backgrounds. More than 500 people apply each year for the 30+ seats in the TU-CCBC Essex PA program.

TU-CCBC Essex PA Week activities:
• Oct. 6 – Health and program Information table on the Quad in front of the “A” Building at CCBC Essex
• Oct. 7 – Middle School students from will get a “hands-on” view of the PA patient assessment laboratory at CCBC Essex and the opportunity to see how the different medical monitoring equipment works.

Each year, the TU-CCBC PA program uses National PA Week to create awareness of the program and of the profession. Both the Governor and the Baltimore County Executive have been asked to issue proclamations proclaiming Oct. 6-12, 2010 as PA Week in the state and the county.

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About CCBC (www.ccbcmd.edu)
CCBC offers hundreds of programs and thousands of courses helping people of all ages, backgrounds and interests earn degrees, transfer, launch or advance careers, and prepare for in-demand jobs. Providing accessible, affordable and high quality education since 1957, CCBC educates more than 70,000 students each year, including half of all Baltimore County residents attending college in Maryland as undergraduates. Committed to student success and the development of lifelong learners who strengthen our regional workforce and enrich our community, CCBC has also been selected to participate in Achieving the Dream, a national student success initiative.

CCBC is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, 2nd Floor West, Philadelphia, PA 19104 (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

CCBC. The incredible value of education.