By Chelsea Halbleib and Brandi Dyess

There are more than 100,000 physician assistants practicing across our nation, filling a vital role in the American health care system.

A physician assistant, or PA, is a midlevel health care provider who works under the supervision of a doctor. They can take medical histories and conduct physical exams, diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, counsel on preventive care, assist in surgery, write prescriptions and make rounds in hospitals.


Since this week is National Physician Assistant week, those of us in the University of Texas Medical Branch PA program would like to thank all PA faculty members for their important contributions to this profession.

UTMB PAs also want to applaud program chairman, Dr. J. Michael Smith, honored on Oct. 3 by the DeBakey VA Medical Center for his services for veterans and military personnel.

Throughout the fall semester, UTMB PA students will be helping the Galveston community through several different outreach projects.

The UTMB PA Class of 2016 will be collecting personal hygiene products for The Luke Society who will give the donated goods in December to the homeless.

Donations of personal hygiene products such as deodorant, can be dropped in collection boxes in the UTMB School of Health Professions building at Mechanic and 11th Street, and outside the Moody Medical Library on Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

UTMB PA students also have partnered with FitTriRun, a local fitness company, to promote physical education and nutrition within the local school district. Several students will be traveling to local elementary and junior high schools throughout the year to help educate students about childhood obesity and the role that PAs serve in health care.

PA students also volunteer at Shriner’s Children’s Hospital, helping children with recreational activities and helping with holiday events.

In honor of Physician Assistant week, please take the time to show your appreciation to both the faculty members and the PA students, who are dedicated to serving their health care communities through this fast-growing career.

Chelsea Halbleib and Brandi Dyess are pursuing master's degrees in the UTMB School of Health Professions.